Step 1: Check if you're eligible
Step 3: Prepare your quarantine (self-isolation) plan
All travellers must prepare a 14 day quarantine plan and submit it through ArriveCAN before travelling. If you’re flying to Canada and are not fully vaccinated, book your 3-night stay in a government-approved hotel. UBC's Self-isolation Program can support you in your self-isolation plans.
As of June 5, 2021, travellers who are fully vaccinated who have received vaccines approved in Canada are exempt from the 3-night stay in a government-approved hotel, 14 day quarantine and day-8 COVID-19 test. You must still be exempt from the current travel restrictions by meeting the requirements in step 1 as a current international student as well as your dependents who are exempt from the current travel restrictions.
You will need to have a quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine in case the border officer determines you do not meet the requirements of a fully vaccinated traveller, however you do not need to book the 3-night stay in a government approved hotel. If you have booked a 3-night stay in a government approved hotel, you can contact the hotel to request a cancellation.
To be considered a fully vaccinated traveller, you must:
Before travelling to Canada you must provide proof of vaccination into the ArriveCAN app, which has been updated on June 5. You will also need to keep a paper or electronic copy of your vaccination and original certified translations. Your vaccination(s) can be completed in any country.
If you are fully vaccinated and your children under 18 years old, or 18 years and older who need support due to a mental or physical condition, are travelling with you, they are exempt from the 3-night government approved hotel, but must quarantine for 14 days.
If you are under 18 years old, or 18 years and older who needs support due to a mental or physical condition, and are travelling with a fully vaccinated parent, you will also be exempt from the 3-night hotel stay but will need to quarantine for 14 days.
You will need to keep a list of close contacts for your first 14 days in Canada and follow public health requirements and self-isolate or quarantine if you test positive for COVID-19 or are exposed to someone who has tested positive.
If the CBSA officer determines that you are not eligible to be considered a fully-vaccinated traveller, you will need to stay in a government-approved hotel for the first 3 nights, quarantine for 14 days, and take the day 8 COVID-19 test.
See COVID-19 vaccinated travellers for more information and fully-vaccinated travellers entering Canada during COVID-19 for arrival steps.
There is no requirement to be vaccinated to travel to Canada.
The list of vaccines approved by the government of Canada may be expanded in the future. Please see approved COVID-19 vaccines for updates. At this time there are no exemptions for partially vaccinated travellers.
When you arrive in British Columbia you will be able to be vaccinated for free. Learn about COVID-19 vaccines for international students.
Anyone entering Canada must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, even if they have provided a negative COVID-19 molecular test result. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, you will not be permitted to travel to Canada.
Even if you are fully vaccinated you must still prepare a quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine in case the officer determines you are not eligible as a fully vaccinated traveller.
You are responsible for arranging your own quarantine plan, and you must satisfy the CBSA officer that you have made appropriate quarantine arrangements to enter Canada. You must submit your plan through the ArriveCAN app and bring documents relating to your quarantine plans and present them to the officer when you arrive. This applies whether you meet the above criteria of a fully vaccinated traveller or not.
As of February 22, 2021, you must start your quarantine at a government approved hotel for 3 nights if you are flying to Canada, unless you arefully vaccinated or exempt. It is critical that you pre-book your hotel in advance of travelling. You will then complete the remainder of the 14-day quarantine at your place of quarantine.
You will also need to wear a non-medical mask or face covering on your flight and keep it on until you get to your place of isolation.
Some travellers are exempt from quarantine.
If you are planning on bringing medication or health products with you, check that the quantity or type is not restricted. Visit bringing health products into Canada for personal use for details. See tips on traveling with medication.
If you require a prescription during self-isolation, you can request a phone appointment with a clinic, such as Student Health Service and University Village Medical and Dental Clinic (both accept iMED). Some pharmacies deliver prescriptions, such as University Pharmacy (accepts iMED), Pharmacy BC and London Drugs.
At present, all air travellers will need to book a 3-night stay at a government-approved hotel in advance of departure to Canada to wait for your COVID-19 test results, unless you are fully vaccinated or exempt.
You must book a government-approved hotel at your first place of arrival in Canada and will not be able to continue to your final destination until you have received a negative COVID-19 test result. If you get your negative test results before the 3-night booking is over, you can leave the hotel and proceed to your final place of quarantine sooner.
Costs will vary and will include the costs associated with the room, food, clearning, infection prevention and control measures, security and transportation. Travellers will be responsible for covering these costs.
Some travellers are exempt from the 3-night hotel stay, for example if you:
Meet the criteria of a fully vaccinated traveler, or
Are under 18 years old and travelling with a fully vaccinated parent.
See COVID-19 mandatory hotel stopover for details.
When making your quarantine plan, carefully review and follow these guidelines:
See ordering food in self-isolation for helpful options and resources.
You must go directly to your final place of quarantine without delay and wear a non-medical mask or face covering while you travel.
For transportation options and guidelines, see YVR’s transportation information.
Contact Service BC for guidance—you can find their contact information on the right side of their page.
After you’ve created your quarantine plan, you are required to submit your plan through the following forms:
See tips and resources on how to self-isolate, access food, stay physically active and mentally healthy and more on UBC’s Self-Isolation Information website.
If you need a place to live while you quarantine, UBC provides on-campus self-isolation packages that include accommodation, meals, as well as planning and self-care resources. Off-campus options are also available.
You might be eligible for a subsidy for the UBC Self-Isolation Package.
Register for your COVID-19 molecular test at the airport or land border before you travel for faster processing.
If travelling by air, register at your first airport of arrival in Canada:
If arriving in Toronto, you will also be registered for your Day-8 COVID-19 test.
If travelling by land, register in advance of arriving at the border. The Douglas (Peace Arch) crossing has on-site testing. See arrival testing at the border for additional ports of entry with testing stations.
This information is accurate as of July 13, 2021, and is subject to change. Follow the latest updates on travel restrictions due to COVID-19 and the IRCC international students COVID-19 page.
