Canada Open Its Borders to India: Here Are The New Rules

By Remitbee - Sep 29, 2021

Last April, Canada imposed a ban on direct commercial and private flights from India. What was supposed to be temporarily turned into a rolling five-month prohibition? The restriction was just renewed two weeks ago by Canadian officials to extend the flight ban. Many stuck in India, including students and families who wish to return to Canada, struggle with travel ban extension.

But heads-up! Here's the good news: passengers from India can now travel to Canada. Just this Monday, September 27, Canada abolished the travel ban. You can now board direct flights from India to Canada again if you are qualified to enter Canada. Air Canada resumed its flights from India on September 27, while Air India will be continuing its flights to Canada from September 30. According to COVID-19 – Global travel advisory, non-essential travel outside of Canada should still be avoided until further notice. If you must travel, make sure you are aware of the risk levels in your destination and arrange your flight accordingly.

Can I enter Canada?

All travellers to Canada, regardless of citizenship, must comply with testing and quarantine regulations. Canada is currently only open to foreign nationals that are fully vaccinated by:

  • Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty (tozinameran, BNT162b2)
  • Moderna Spikevax (mRNA-1273)
  • AstraZeneca Vaxzevria/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, AZD1222)
  • Janssen/Johnson & Johnson

If you are a permanent Canadian resident, citizen, a person registered under the Indian Act, or a protected person who is not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 you can enter Canada. On the other hand, if you're a dual Canadian citizen, you can only enter if you have a valid Canadian passport or special authorization.

Only fully vaccinated individuals are exempted from quarantine.

However, there are still some restrictions to be followed depending on your destination. - For the first 14 days in Canada, keep a list of any close contacts. - When in public places, you must always wear a mask. - Watch out for COVID-19 signs and symptoms. - Comply with provincial and territorial regulations (which may include quarantine).

For others, to find out if you can travel to Canada, click here

For the latest update and guidelines, read more below.

As per the new requirements for direct flights to Canada:

  • Passengers from India who are eligible to enter Canada and travel on flights must receive a negative COVID-19 molecular test result from the approved lab at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi before the departure date.

  • They must have taken the test within 18 hours of departure and show the test results and a QR code given by the lab to check-in personnel in Delhi.

  • Passengers who have tested positive for COVID-19 before can also produce a positive molecular test issued by an authorized laboratory in India. The collection must have taken place between 14 and 180 days before their flight to Canada.

  • Passengers traveling from India to Canada via an indirect route must still show a negative COVID-19 molecular test result from a third nation before traveling to Canada.

Keep in mind that some countries will not allow travelers arriving from India or passengers who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 to travel.

COVID-19 testing centers may not be available in all international airports. If you test positive while in transit, you may be subjected to local quarantine restrictions or be sent back.

Any travellers who fail to meet these conditions will be refused entry.

Note: Beginning November 21, 2020, all air travellers heading for Canada must submit their electronic information using the ArriveCan app before boarding their travel, whether they are entering Canada by air, land, or sea. Your information must be submitted 72 hours before your arrival in Canada.

What is ArriveCan?

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency collaborated with the ArriveCan app to help travelers returning to Canada. This app allows passengers to enter their data quickly and securely when they arrive. The app works like a digital version of the current paper form that passengers must fill out. Information such as the flight details, COVID-19 signs and symptoms, and quarantine accommodations is required.

How to use ArriveCan before your travel?

Step 1: First, download the ArriveCan app and create your file. On the app, you may access your file up to 90 days before your departure, and on the website, you can access it for up to 14 days. Applicants who cannot submit their documents through mobile phone may do so using a laptop or tablet.

Step 2: After you've finished creating your file, enter the following information:

  • Your personal information
  • Your travel information
  • Your proof of vaccination
  • Your COVID-19 test results
  • Your quarantine plan

    Step 3: Once you submit your information through ArriveCAN, a receipt will be displayed and emailed to you.

ArriveCan will not confirm exemptions from public health requirements. It does not verify your entry eligibility, vaccination status, or essential travel status to Canada. Instead, the border services officer will determine your exemptions from public health regulations.

If you don't submit your information through ArriveCAN, you risk being denied boarding and denied entry to Canada or will be expected to quarantine,

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