Traveling To Canada: A Complete Province-By-Province Guide For Visitors

Peace Tower in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. — Peace Tower in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Photo Credit: yarak / Shutterstock.com)

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Madalena Robertson

Updated: Mar.23.2022

Last updated March 23, 2022.

On August 9, after more than a year of limited travel, Canada officially reopened its borders to all vaccinated Americans. All incoming tourists will need to be vaccinated and must upload their details to the ArriveCan app.

Beginning April 1, 2022 visitors will no longer be required to show a negative COVID-19 test result to enter the country. However, vaccinated people could still be subject to random molecular tests when they arrive at Canadian airports.

Alberta

In order to travel to Alberta, the Canadian government requires American travelers to provide their traveler information and proof of a final dose of an approved vaccine to the ArriveCAN website. The government also asks that tourists carry their original proof of vaccination with them while they travel.

Americans interested in traveling to Alberta will be required to follow these federal entry guidelines, but there are no additional Alberta-specific requirements.

Alberta continues to require masks in most indoor public spaces. Restaurants and bars are permitted to open, but they are required to stop selling alcohol at 10 p.m.

British Columbia

Before arriving in British Columbia, tourists should fill out their traveler information and submit proof of vaccination via the ArriveCAN website. The government also asks, in addition to the digital files, that travelers carry their original proof of vaccination with them. Currently, unvaccinated Americans are not allowed to enter the country for non-essential travel reasons.

Starting October 30, 2021, travelers will need to be fully vaccinated to use federally regulated methods of travel:

Departing from a Canadian airport
Traveling on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains
Staying on a cruise ship for more than 24 hours

While travelers must follow these federal requirements, there are no additional BC-specific entry rules. Masks are required in all indoor public spaces throughout British Columbia, and most museums, restaurants, and tourist attractions are all open and receiving visitors.

Many towns in British Columbia are eager to welcome tourists, but not every location has reopened itself for visitors. Indigenous Tourism BC maintains a list of the Indigenous communities that are open and welcome to tourists.

Manitoba

As of August 9, vaccinated Americans can once again travel to Manitoba. In order to travel to Canada, the federal government requires American travelers to fill out their traveler information and submit proof of a final dose of an approved vaccine to the ArriveCAN website. The government also asks, in addition to the digital files, that travelers carry their original proof of vaccination with them.

In addition to these federal guidelines, certain regions of Manitoba have placed their own restrictions and regulations on non-essential travel. The Chemawawin Cree Nation, part of the province’s Northern Region, is under a critical health order, limiting businesses and movement to only the essential. Interlake-Eastern’s Sagkeeng First Nation is under similar restrictions. A list of critical health orders by region is available here.

Throughout Manitoba, proof of vaccination is required for both indoor and outdoor dining. Several other public buildings, such as museums and movie theaters, have also started asking for proof of vaccination. Masks are mandatory in all public indoor places.

New Brunswick

Before arriving in New Brunswick, the federal government requires American travelers to provide their traveler information and submit proof of a final dose of an approved vaccine to the ArriveCAN website. The government also asks that tourists carry their original proof of vaccination with them while they travel.

As of Sept. 27, visitors to New Brunswick must register here before entering the province.

If you are fully vaccinated, no self-isolation will be required. Vaccinated individuals are now able to apply for a multi-use pass.
If you are not fully vaccinated, you must self-isolate for 14 days or until you receive a negative COVID-19 result from a test taken on Day 10 or later.

Newfoundland And Labrador

In order to travel to Newfoundland and Labrador, the Canadian government requires American travelers to provide their traveler information and submit proof of a final dose of an approved vaccine to the ArriveCAN website. Unvaccinated Americans will not be permitted to enter the country. The government also asks that tourists carry their original proof of vaccination with them while they travel.

All travelers headed to Newfoundland and Labrador must submit a Travel Form within 30 days of their arrival. In the Northern Peninsula’s East Region, masks are required in all indoor public spaces. The rest of the province has guidelines recommending masks, but they are not required.

Northwest Territories

While much of Canada has once again opened itself up for tourism and leisure travel, the Northwest Territories remain almost entirely closed off, only allowing residential and essential travel.

However, the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer has made an exception to this rule for tourists whose trip has been booked with an approved Remote Tourism Operator. These operators must have applied with the government to receive the distinction, which ensures that tourists will have little to minimal contact with residents of the Northwest Territories.

Travelers who are able to book with an approved Remote Tourism Operator will have to follow Canada’s federal entry guidelines, which include providing their traveler information and submitting proof of a final dose of an approved vaccine to the ArriveCAN website. Unvaccinated American tourists are currently not permitted to enter any territory in the country.

Nova Scotia

In order to travel to Nova Scotia, the Canadian government requires American travelers to provide their traveler information and proof of a final dose of an approved vaccine to the ArriveCAN website. The government also asks that tourists carry their original proof of vaccination with them while they travel.

All individuals planning on traveling to Nova Scotia must also fill out a Safe Check-In Form. Testing is encouraged for all travelers upon arrival, regardless of vaccination status, although not required.

Masks are required in most public spaces throughout Nova Scotia. Restaurants, museums, and tourist attractions are operating at full capacity, while following social distancing guidelines and mask requirements.

Nunavut

Before arriving in Nunavut, tourists should fill out their traveler information and submit proof of vaccination via the ArriveCAN website. The government also asks, in addition to the digital files, that travelers carry their original proof of vaccination with them. Currently, unvaccinated Americans are not allowed to enter the country for non-essential travel reasons.

Nunavut has strict self-isolation mandates that vaccinated travelers can opt out of, provided they complete a Vaccinated Traveler Declaration form. Travelers will be required to wear a mask in all public indoor places. Restaurants and tourist attractions are open and welcoming guests.

Ontario

In order to travel to Ontario, the federal government requires American travelers to submit their traveler information and proof of a final dose of an approved vaccine to the ArriveCAN website. The government also asks, in addition to the digital files, that travelers carry their original proof of vaccination with them.

Travelers must follow these federal entry requirements, but there are no additional Ontario-specific requirements. Restaurants, museums, and other tourist attractions are open and operating, but will require masks and social distancing.

Prince Edward Island

Before arriving in Prince Edward Island, tourists should fill out their traveler information and submit proof of vaccination via the ArriveCAN website. The government also asks, in addition to the digital files, that travelers carry their original proof of vaccination with them. Currently, unvaccinated Americans are not allowed to enter the country for non-essential travel reasons.

Travelers interested in visiting Prince Edward Island must first sign up for a PEI Pass, a second system that will also require tourists to fill out their traveler information and submit proof of full vaccination.

While PEI does not have a province-wide mask mandate, many businesses continue to require them. Restaurants and tourist attractions are open and welcoming visitors, but some may ask for proof of vaccination for entry.

Quebec

As of August 9, vaccinated Americans can once again travel to Quebec. In order to travel to Canada, the federal government requires American travelers to fill out their traveler information and submit proof of a final dose of an approved vaccine to the ArriveCAN website. The government also asks, in addition to the digital files, that travelers carry their original proof of vaccination with them.

Travelers must follow these federal entry requirements, but there are no additional Quebec-specific entry requirements. Masks are required in all indoor public spaces throughout Quebec, and most museums, restaurants, and tourist attractions are all open and receiving visitors.

Saskatchewan

Before arriving in Saskatchewan, tourists should fill out their traveler information and submit proof of vaccination via the ArriveCAN website. The government also asks, in addition to the digital files, that travelers carry their original proof of vaccination with them. Currently, unvaccinated Americans are not allowed to enter the country for non-essential travel reasons.

Americans interested in traveling to Saskatchewan will be required to follow these federal entry guidelines, but there are no additional Saskatchewan-specific entry requirements. Saskatchewan has eliminated all province-wide masking and social distancing requirements, but many establishments may choose to implement their own health guidelines.

Yukon

In order to travel to Yukon, the Canadian government requires American travelers to provide their traveler information and submit proof of a final dose of an approved vaccine to the ArriveCAN website. The government also asks that tourists carry their original proof of vaccination with them while they travel.

While travelers must follow these federal requirements, there are no additional Yukon-specific entry rules. Currently, Yukon does not have a province-wide mask mandate, although some businesses may still ask patrons to wear them.