Here is the government page - check here as it is updated regularly. It doesn't copy/paste well into the blog but here are some highlights to be aware of.
1. ArriveCan App: Always fill this out when returning to Canada. Even if you are less than 72 hrs (getting the mail, etc.) you still MUST fill out the ArriveCan app. Download it on your phone before you go. You can fill it out before you go if it is a short trip, or during your trip if longer, but FOR SURE BEFORE THE BORDER - or you will be quarantined.
2. Pre-entry test: (the Covid19 test) Types of tests that qualify for proof of negative test if you are over 72 hrs are below. Google "free Covid19 testing" and the state you are in. (Walgreens have free testing). Most of them you book online days in advance - make sure they offer the type of test you need to return. Here is one helpful site:
see below for acceptable test details
Pre-entry testing and other requirements
To enter or return to Canada as a fully vaccinated traveller, you must also follow these requirements:
Who doesn't need a pre-entry test
- Children under 5 years of age
- Exemptions for crew, essential services, and cross-border communities
- Canadians who qualify as fully vaccinated travellers who depart and
re-enter Canada by land or air within 72 hours of leaving.- Canadians include: Canadian citizens, permanent residents, those registered under the Indian Act
- This exemption also applies to:
- unvaccinated children under 12 who are accompanying their fully vaccinated (or those with a medical inability to be vaccinated) parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor
- people with a medical inability to be vaccinated
- These travellers must be able to demonstrate they’ve been away from Canada for less than 72 hours
- In ArriveCAN: Answer "no" when asked if you have proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
- the scheduled departure time of your flight/train leaving Canada to the scheduled departure time of your return flight/train to Canada (keep your boarding passes as proof) or
- the time you entered the United States at a land border to the time of your official re-entry into Canada
- keep track of the time you entered the United States
- make sure you leave enough time to re-enter Canada in case of delays at the border
- check the border wait times
Short trips: timing your 72-hour return to Canada
The 72 hour rule begins and ends from:
Who needs a pre-entry test
- All foreign nationals 5 years of age or older
- Canadians 5 years of age or older who re-enter Canada after more than 72 hours away
These travellers must provide proof of a COVID-19 negative molecular test result to enter Canada OR proof of a previous positive test result taken between 14 and 180 days ago (starting January 15, 2022, between 10 and 180 days ago).
Accepted types of molecular tests
- PCR - Polymerase chain reaction
- Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
- Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
These tests use methods such as a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, nose swab, or saliva sample.
- Rapid antigen tests aren't accepted.
Other acceptable types of tests
- RT-PCR – reverse transcription real time PCR
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
- Isothermal amplification
- Droplet digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)
- Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA)
- RNA (Ribonucleic acid)
- Ct (cycle threshold)
- CRISPR
- Sequencing
- Next generational sequencing (NGS) or whole genome sequencing (WGS)
- Oxford Nanopore sequencing (LamPORE)
- Detection of the N gene
- Detection of Orf1a/b
- Detection of the S gene
- Detection of the E gene
- Detection of the RdRp gene
- PCR - Polymerase chain reaction
- Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
- Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
These tests use methods such as a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, nose swab, or saliva sample.
- Rapid antigen tests aren't accepted.
Other acceptable types of tests
- RT-PCR – reverse transcription real time PCR
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
- Isothermal amplification
- Droplet digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)
- Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA)
- RNA (Ribonucleic acid)
- Ct (cycle threshold)
- CRISPR
- Sequencing
- Next generational sequencing (NGS) or whole genome sequencing (WGS)
- Oxford Nanopore sequencing (LamPORE)
- Detection of the N gene
- Detection of Orf1a/b
- Detection of the S gene
- Detection of the E gene
- Detection of the RdRp gene
Providing proof of your result
When you arrive at the border, you must present an accepted negative molecular test result (paper or electronic proof) or proof of a previous positive molecular test result taken between 14 and 180 days (starting January 15, 2022, between 10 and 180 days ago) that includes:
- Traveller name and date of birth
- Name and civic address of the laboratory/clinic/facility that administered the test
- The date on which the test was taken
- The type of test taken
- The test result
Keep proof of your test results with you for the 14-day period that begins on the day you enter Canada.
When you arrive at the border, you must present an accepted negative molecular test result (paper or electronic proof) or proof of a previous positive molecular test result taken between 14 and 180 days (starting January 15, 2022, between 10 and 180 days ago) that includes:
- Traveller name and date of birth
- Name and civic address of the laboratory/clinic/facility that administered the test
- The date on which the test was taken
- The type of test taken
- The test result
Keep proof of your test results with you for the 14-day period that begins on the day you enter Canada.
