U.S.-Canadian Border to Open in August With Certain Restrictions

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

The hoped-for opening of the U.S.-Canadian border is set to begin in August.

Canada plans to open its land borders to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents for non-essential travel at 12:01 a.m. on August 9, 2021. The United States, however, has extended its land border travel restrictions on the northern and southern borders until August 21, 2021.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are residing in the United States (who are not otherwise exempt from the travel restrictions) will be able to enter Canada at land borders for discretionary travel, i.e., tourism, with proof of vaccination in English or French. Individuals must be 14 days out from full vaccination to be eligible.

Requirements include:

Translations of proof of vaccination will be accepted if accompanied by the original vaccination certificates.
Travelers should use ArriveCAN to submit travel information, including proof of vaccination.
Vaccinations must be from vendors accepted by the Canadian government.
Unvaccinated children under 12 years of age will be able to enter Canada if they are travelling with a parent or guardian who is fully vaccinated.
Those who cannot receive the vaccinations for health reasons will be able to enter Canada (and the Canadian government will be providing more information on what proof will be required soon).
Pre-entry COVID-19 molecular tests will still be required even for fully vaccinated travelers.
Quarantines will be required only for individuals who show COVID-19 symptoms.
All visitors must adhere to Canada’s COVID-19 health measures, including masking in public places, carrying vaccination proof, and monitoring themselves for COVID-19 symptoms.

Other fully vaccinated foreign nationals will be allowed to enter Canada on or about September 7, 2021, if the country’s epidemiological profile “remains favourable.”