Arrival information for students travelling to Canada

Are you planning to travel to Canada? Make sure you understand the requirements you will need to follow. 

Students arriving from outside Canada are currently required by the Government of Canada to undergo a 14-day quarantine period. However, as of July 5, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers who are permitted to enter Canada are not subject to the federal requirement to quarantine if they meet all the requirements outlined here. You can also view this PDF listing the steps fully vaccinated travellers need to take.

As of August 9, 2021, the 3-night government-authorized hotel stay requirement has been eliminated for all air travellers. Read the full announcement. 

Note that all travellers must still submit an arrival form that includes a quarantine plan, as outlined below. 

BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL

Review the following:

Prepare a quarantine plan prior to travel. Download the ArriveCAN app and provide the information to Border Services two days in advance of flight.

Inform UCalgary of your arrival date and quarantine plans by completing the online arrival form. Note that, even if you expect to be exempt from quarantine requirements because you have been fully vaccinated, you still need to provide a quarantine plan. If your plans change, you will need to let us know by completing the arrival form again. 

ARRIVING IN CALGARY

Using public transportation (buses or trains) to your place of quarantine is not allowed.

In cabs or rideshares, you must:

  • wear a mask
  • sit as far away from the driver as possible
  • not share rides
  • handle your own luggage
  • avoid stopping along the way (any stops must be essential, and you must not leave the vehicle)

AFTER YOUR ARRIVAL

Use the ArriveCAN app, to confirm that you’ve arrived at the address you provided for your quarantine. You must do this the day after you arrive in Canada.

If you are required to quarantine:

  • Use the ArriveCAN app to complete daily COVID-19 symptom self-assessments for the duration of your quarantine period.
  • If you experience symptoms while in quarantine – or need help getting food or medicine, accessing medical care, or dealing with loneliness or stress – let UCalgary know using the quarantine update form.
  • You must notify UCalgary using the quarantine update form if you fail to comply with a quarantine requirement by having guests or leaving your place of quarantine (for a reason other than to seek medical attention after calling 811 or to take your second COVID-19 test on the 8th day after arrival).

Do you have questions or need support?

Reach out if you need assistance. We are here for you. 

Important updates

On July 19, 2021, the Government of Canada announced some further easing of travel restrictions, including two changes effective as of August 9, 2021: five additional airports allowing international flights; and the elimination of three-night government authorized hotel stay requirement for all travellers arriving by air.

Read the full announcement. 

Starting at 12:01 a.m. ET on July 5,  exemptions were put in place for fully vaccinated travellers who meet specific conditions. 

Read the most up-to-date information for fully vaccinated travellers

As of February 22, air travellers are required to take a COVID-19 molecular test when they arrive in Canada before exiting the airport, and another toward the end of their 14-day quarantine period. Prior to departure to Canada, they are also required to reserve a 3-night stay in a government-authorized hotel. They must stay at their reserved hotel for up to 3 nights, at their own cost, while they await the results of their arrival test.

Travellers need to book a hotel in the city in which they first arrive in Canada. If they receive a negative result on their arrival test, they can take a connecting flight to their final destination. There are a number of hotels to choose from near each of the four international airports accepting international flights, in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. Costs of these hotel stays may vary slightly at each location. It is up to the traveller to choose where they wish to stay and book in advance of departure. The price includes costs associated with the room, food, cleaning, infection prevention and control measures, and security as well as transportation. Hotel booking information is available here.

Read the full Government of Canada announcement about this requirement.

Documentation of a negative COVID-19 test must be presented when travelling to Canada. The test must be performed using a COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (or PCR) test and must be taken within 72 hours prior to your scheduled departure to Canada.

Read the initial announcement about this requirement.  

Read more details about this testing.