Travelling to Canada this Winter

Although travel requirements might seem confusing at the moment, for the vast majority of travellers they are actually relatively straightforward and it is just a question of completing each of the steps involved.

However, please do take the time to read and understand the entry requirements pages on the UK Government and Canadian Government websites before you travel.

We've summarised the requirements for travelling to and from Canada as we understand them as of 3 November 2021. They assume you are travelling from the UK and have not visited any other countries 14 days prior to travel.

We have tried to be as comprehensive as possible, but we cannot account for all circumstances. Requirements are subject to change at any time and we do not take any responsibility for the information provided. You must make your own enquiries to satisfy yourself that you and your party can meet the entry requirements to match your intended travel arrangements.

If you're travelling with children, please read the advice towards the bottom of the page as requirements differ to adults.

For more general information on travelling this winter, please see our Winter 2021/22 FAQs.

Before you go

Before you travel, you should:

  1. Find out if you can enter Canada
  2. Complete the free ArriveCAN form up to 72 hours before you travel which requires proof of full vaccination and your 14 day quarantine plan (see FAQs below) in case you don't qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller
  3. Book a valid pre-entry PCR test to take no more than 72 hours before your flight departs
  4. Apply for an eTA ($7 CAD)
  5. Ensure that your travel insurance includes comprehensive winter sports and coronavirus cover

On arrival

To enter Canada, you will need to be able to show your:

  1. ArriveCAN receipt with letter I or V beside the vaccinated traveller's name
  2. Proof of vaccination, including paper copies
  3. Pre-entry test result
  4. Other travel documents including your eTA

You may be randomly selected to take a test on arrival. If you are selected, you will be able to continue with your trip while you wait for the result, you do not need to self-isolate unless your test comes back positive.

Tip: We highly recommend taking both digital copies on your phone and printed copies of all your required travel documentation, and printing the day before travel to ensure you have the most up to date versions.

While you're there

Requirements vary by province and in some cases by resort. We recommend checking with your resort to see what their requirements are before you travel.

Common requirements include:

  • Mask use in indoor, public settings
  • Proof of vaccination for anyone aged 12+ to access certain indoor services, including restaurants and cafes, and in some cases gondolas and lifts

Useful links:

Returning to the UK

If you are fully vaccinated or under 18, before you return to England, you must:

  1. Book and pay for a COVID-19 test - to be taken before the end of day 2 in England
  2. Complete a passenger locator form - to be completed in the 48 hours before you arrive in England

Rules differ for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Travelling with children

Ages 12 to 17

Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated 12 to 17 year olds may enter Canada but are subject to 14 day quarantine and all testing requirements for pre-entry, arrival and Day 8 tests, whether or not they are accompanied by travellers who qualify as fully vaccinated.

Fully vaccinated children aged 12 to 17 are subject to the same entry requirements as fully vaccinated adults. Please see above for details.

Check what qualifies as fully vaccinated here.

Ages 11 and under

Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children under 12 who are accompanied by a fully vaccinated parent, step-parent, guardian or tutor are able to enter Canada and do not need to quarantine, but are required to:

  • Take pre-entry, arrival and Day 8 PCR tests (unless under the age of 5)
  • Not attend school, camp or daycare
  • Not attend large crowded settings, indoors or outdoors
  • Not take buses, subways, trains or other crowded transportation

Follow all requirements in the handout for unvaccinated children under 12 provided at the border.

Adults will need to register kids aged 11 and under on their Arrivecan.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions about travelling to Canada this winter.

What address should I use for my quarantine plan?

The ArriveCAN form requires an address where you could self-isolate for 14 days if you develop symptoms or test positive. We have been advised that you can use the first address that you'll be staying at.

What test do I need to book to travel and where can I book it?

The Canadian Government guidance includes a section on accepted types of test.

We suggest you check the travel testing page on Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert website to choose your testing provider. You should also check the UK Government’s list of approved providers.