Travel and COVID-19

Last updated: April 1, 2022

Make a plan to show proof of vaccination when travelling within Canada or leaving the country. If you’re not fully vaccinated, you should avoid all travel.

Scroll down to find information on the following:

• Federal Requirements for Travel
• How to Travel Internationally
• Get Your Federal COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Document
• Travel Between Provinces and Territories is Allowed
• Additional Resources

Visit the BC Government website for full details.

Federal Travel Requirements

The Government of Canada requires all travellers 12 years and 4 months and older to be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination to use federally regulated methods of travel:

• Departing from any Canadian airport
• Travelling on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains
• Staying on a non-essential passenger vessel for more than 24 hours (like a cruise ship)
  • ​BC Ferries does not require proof of vaccination

You should get your federal COVID-19 proof of vaccination document before travelling inside or outside of Canada.

Note: You’re considered fully vaccinated 14 days after you get your second dose of vaccine.

How to Travel Internationally

Leaving Canada

Planning Your Trip

Many international destinations may accept Canada’s COVID-19 proof of vaccination document. Each country makes the final decision on what they accept as proof of vaccination and how early they require it.

Before You Leave

• Check with your travel provider about what you need to do
• Review requirements from the country you’re travelling to
• Continue to check federal guidance

Returning to Canada

Before You Arrive

Before you return to Canada, you must use ArriveCAN to submit your travel and health details in the 72 hours before you arrive in the country.

On Arrival

On arrival, you must meet all federal entry requirements, including:

• A pre-entry test result (if not fully vaccinated)
• ArriveCAN receipt
• Proof of vaccination
• Being prepared to take an on-arrival test and quarantine if required

Requirements change often. Check before you travel. 

Get Your Federal COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Document

The Government of Canada has created a federal COVID-19 proof of vaccination document for travel. You need it to travel within Canada and internationally. Travel agents will ask to see your federal COVID-19 proof of vaccination document and a piece of valid government photo ID.

Step 1: Print a Copy of your Document

Before you go on your trip, you must print a copy of your federal COVID-19 proof of vaccination document.

Leave enough time to check that your document is accurate and make corrections, if needed.

Step 2: Confirm Document is Accurate

If you notice something is wrong, update your information.

• The name on your document must match the name on your valid government ID. This is usually your passport
• Your birth date needs to be correct
• The details about your vaccination need to be correct

Travel Between Provinces and Territories is Allowed

Recreational travel within Canada is allowed. Wherever you travel, keep your group small and respect local communities.

You will need to show proof that you’re fully vaccinated to access some types of travel, businesses or services.

Additional Resources

For many people, an out-of-town trip can be refreshing and invigorating. But for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), travelling brings a host of unique challenges.

According to a study by IBCCES, only 13% of autism families take vacations. In order to provide these families with access to the resources they need to make vacationing possible, our team at Bankrate has created a guide to travelling with ASD.