January 19, 2022
Another Change to COVID-19-Related Entry Requirements for Canada
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many changes to the entry requirements for those seeking to enter or return to Canada. The most recent change came into effect on 15 January 2022. Now, foreign nationals seeking entry to Canada who were previously not required to be fully vaccinated, must now be fully vaccinated.[1] Further, fully vaccinated foreign nationals can enter Canada for discretionary travel.[2]
In order to qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller, an individual must have received at least two doses of a vaccine accepted by the Government of Canada, a mix of two accepted vaccines, or at least one dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine.[3] In addition, the second dose must have been received at least fifteen calendar days before anticipated entry into Canada, the traveller must have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19, and must follow all pre-entry testing and entry requirements.[4]
The following is a list of the vaccines presently accepted by the Government of Canada for travelling to and within Canada:
- AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222);
- Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C);
- Janssen/Johnson & Johnson;
- Moderna (mRNA-1273);
- Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2);
- Sinopharm BIBP (BBIBP-CorV); or
- Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc).[5]
For more information about pre-entry testing and entry requirements, see: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada#entry-vaccinated & https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/wizard-start. As the travel entry and testing requirements are always changing, be sure to visit the Government of Canada website for the most up to date information.