Study in Canada: Approved Vaccines, Travel Rules & Regulations

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Cyril Zachariah
Updated on Feb 03, 2022 07:01 PM IST

Are you planning to travel and study in Canada? If you have been vaccinated, here are some of the travel restriction updates that may ease your journey to this study abroad destination. Vaccinated travellers may soon be eligible for exemptions from the strict Canadian travel restrictions.

Study in Canada: Approved Vaccines, Travel Rules & Regulations

Latest Update: International students arriving in Canada on or after August 9, 2021, will have to produce a quarantine plan at border. They will also have to pay to stay in a government-approved hotel.

For the entire duration of the pandemic, Canada has been a pioneer in easing travel and border restrictions, especially for international students aspiring to study and settle in the country. Even with countries around the globe recovering from the latest wave of COVID-19, Canada has started to work towards reopening the country again.

The world has taken a step forward in the right direction, as few countries have decided to vaccinate, not only their own citizens and permanent residents but international students and workers as well. Understanding the contribution that international travellers have made to any given country, the steps taken to ensure their safety along with their citizens shows the unified march towards victory over this pandemic.

Canada has been one of those countries which have openly accepted and encourage international students to apply, travel to and study at one of the many top Canadian universities. Recently, with vaccination drives, either being successfully conducted or under process in countries across the globe, Canada has reformed its regulations for international travellers. Vaccinated travellers will soon be able to travel without having to deal with many restrictions that unvaccinated individuals will have to abide by.

So, if you are a student, aspiring to study in one of Canadas finest universities, then here are some of the vaccination policies that you might need to adhere to.

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Also Read: List of Documents Indian Students Need for Canada Visa Application

Canada Travel Restrictions for Vaccinated International Travellers

Students who have been fully vaccinated will soon be able to travel to Canada without having to adhere to the strict travel restrictions imposed by the Canadian government, provided certain criteria are met.

From 11:59 pm on 5th July 2021, vaccinated travellers will qualify for certain exceptions provided they are:

  • Eligible to enter Canada

  • Are Asymptomatic

  • Have been vaccinated with one of the approved vaccines:

    • AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria, AZD1222, Covishield)

    • Pfizer (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)

    • Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) - single dose

    • Moderna (mRNA-1273)

  • Vaccinated travellers must ensure being vaccinated at least 14 days before entering Canada.

  • They will also have to upload the proof of vaccination on their ArriveCan app. Travellers must ensure that the proof of vaccination, regardless of where they have received it, is either in English or French.

  • Travellers will also need to ensure that they meet the entry requirements defined for air travellers.

Vaccinated travellers who meet all the necessary requirements defined by the Canadian government will be eligible for the following exemptions:

  • No need for quarantine.

  • Hotel Stopover, which is mandatory for all air travellers.

  • Day-8 COVID-19 Testing

Note: Country-wise travel restrictions are still applicable, regardless of the vaccination status of the traveller. Therefore, all travellers are advised to check the country-wise restrictions to enter Canada.

It should also be noted that if a traveller has been vaccinated with any other vaccine, which has not been listed above, they will not be considered as vaccinated travellers and will also be required to follow the travel restrictions in place for unvaccinated travellers.

Another important piece of information that international travellers need to know that these updated measures will be applicable from 5th July at 11:59 pm. Prior to this date and time, vaccinated individuals will not receive exemptions from the travel restrictions.

Also Read: Top 5 Countries with Easy Immigration for International Students

Pre-Entry/Arrival Regulations in Canada

If you are planning to travel to Canada, there are a few things that you need to keep in hand, such as negative COVID-19 test reports, necessary documents permitting you to travel to Canada, among other things. Here is a list of Pre-entry/arrival regulations for international students travelling to Canada.

  • Plan your Quarantine: Those travelling to Canada, even those vaccinated are required to plan their quarantine stay after the mandatory three-day stop at one of the quarantine hotels in Canada. This is important, even for vaccinated travellers, if they become symptomatic or do not meet the criteria for the exemptions, travellers will be required to quarantine themselves for 14 days.

  • Get Tested: All travellers over the age of 5, are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result upon arrival in Canada. The test must be taken within 72 hours of travelling to Canada.

    • If tested negative, travellers must follow local health procedures, list out all close contact for 14 days, while also keeping copies of the proof of vaccination for 14 days.

    • If tested positive, travellers will be advised to quarantine themselves and will be contacted by their local health authority. They will be required to follow all the instructions, while also keeping copies of the proof of vaccination.

  • Reserve a Hotel for a 3-day Stopover: Air travellers are mandated to stay over at a hotel for a period of 3 days. However, vaccinated travellers will be eligible to be exempted provided they meet the necessary requirements.

  • Register for Testing on Arrival: All travellers are required to be tested on arrival. There are a couple of Airport Test providers that the travellers can choose between. They will have to register before they travel. On arrival, travellers may receive a home test kit or be asked to take a test on arrival.

  • Upload your details on ArriveCAN: All travellers are required to upload all the necessary details on the ArriveCAN app 72 hours before travelling to Canada. Some of the details that you have to upload on the ArriveCAN app include:

    • Your Quarantine Plan

    • Proof of Vaccination in French or English

    • Your Contact and Travel Information

    • Confirmation of a Negative COVID-19 Test Report or a Positive Result taken anywhere between 14 days to 90 days before travelling.

    • A 14-day Travel History before travelling to Canada.

    • A COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment

On Arrival Travel Requirements for International Students in Canada

Once you have boarded your flight with the necessary documents and the ArriveCAN app ready to be displayed on arrival in Canada, there a few steps that you, as an international traveller are required to complete.

  • Keep your documents on hand, such as the pre-entry negative COVID-19 test report as well as the ArriveCAN receipt with the necessary details of your travel and entry to Canada.

  • A border officer will check the documents and see if you meet the requirements. They may ask questions about your quarantine plans as well as other health-related questions.

  • You will be asked to take a test on arrival as well or you may be given a Home-test kit for you to take at your place of residence.

  • Depending on the information you have given to the border officer, you may or may not be asked to go to the 3-day stopover hotel or take up quarantine measures.

Also Read: IELTS Academic vs IELTS General: Whats the Difference?

Note: Vaccinated individuals who pass the security measures will not be required to quarantine or stay at the hotel for the mandatory 3-day stopover. However, such travellers will be required to answer the questions and provide appropriate answers with proof for the border officer to consider their eligibility.

While countries are opening their borders up and offering to vaccinate international students, it is important for students to receive their vaccinations before travelling abroad. All countries encourage international travellers to receive their vaccinations before entering the country.

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