Skip to content
COVID Test Requirement For Canada

Latest COVID Test Requirements For Entering Canada, You Should Know!

COVID Test Requirements For Canada:

COVID test is required at different stages of your travel to Canada depending on your vaccination status, purpose of travel, etc. Following are the major 3 testing requirements:

  • Pre-Entry Testing Requirements.
  • On-Arrival Testing Requirements.
  • Day-8 Testing requirements.

Click Here For Quarantine Plan Requirements.

Accepted Types Of Tests:

These tests are considered acceptable molecular tests:

  • PCR – Polymerase chain reaction
  • RT-PCR – reverse transcription real time PCR
  • Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
  • Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
  • Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
  • Isothermal amplification
  • Droplet digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)
  • Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA)
  • RNA (Ribonucleic acid)
  • Ct (cycle threshold)
  • CRISPR
  • Sequencing
  • Next generational sequencing (NGS) or whole genome sequencing (WGS)
  • Oxford Nanopore sequencing (LamPORE)
  • Detection of the N gene
  • Detection of Orf1a/b
  • Detection of the S gene
  • Detection of the E gene
  • Detection of the RdRp gene

Pre-Entry Test Requirements

All the fully vaccinated or unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers need to provide a proof of negative COVID test, regardless of citizenship or residency status. This test must be conducted within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time of your last direct flight to Canada.

If you are entering by road, this test must be done in the United States within 72 hours of your planned entry into Canada.

If you are entering by water, this test must be done within 72 hours of your planned entry to Canada.

However, there are certain category of travelers exempt from this pre-entry test requirement.

Who Doesn’t Need Pre-Entry Test:
  • Travelers who recovered from COVID-19 and are asymptomatic. Your positive test should be conducted at least 14 and no more than 180 days before:
    • the initial scheduled departure time of your aircraft, or
    • your entry into Canada by marine or by land
  • Children under the age of 5.
  • Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada and persons registered under the Indian Act, who were denied entry to a country or territory and who must subsequently board a flight destined to Canada (direct back).
  • Persons in the trade or transportation sector who are important for the movement of goods or people, including truck drivers, who cross the border while performing their duties or for the purpose of performing their duties
  • Transiting passengers who are only flying or driving through Canada to reach another country
  • Persons who must cross the border regularly to go to or return from their normal place of employment, including critical infrastructure workers (Energy and Utilities, Information and Communication Technologies, Finance, Health, Food, Water, Transportation, Safety, Government and Manufacturing).
  • A person who enters Canada within the boundaries of an integrated transborder community that exists on both sides of the Canada-United States border and who is a habitual resident of that community.
  • Persons who must leave and return to Canada to receive essential medical services in another country.
  • All the officials on duty and first responders.
Proof Of Your Pre-Entry Test:

At port of entry (POE), you will need to provide an accepted test result (paper or electronic proof) which should include:

  • Traveler’s name and date of birth
  • Name and civic address of the laboratory/clinic/facility that administered the test
  • The date on which the test was conducted
  • The type of test conducted
  • The test result

You are required to keep proof of your test results with you for the 14-days after entering Canada.

What Happens If You Don’t Provide Pre-Entry Test Proof:
🚩If you are a Canadian citizen/Permanent Resident (PR), then you will be allowed to enter Canada, but will have pay fine of up to $5,000 or face criminal prosecution.

🚩If you are a foreign national, then you will not be allowed into Canada

On-Arrival Test Requirements:

[the_ad id=”1823″]

If you are fully vaccinated with Canada approved vaccines, then you may be exempt from arrival testing. However, you may be selected randomly among the fully vaccinated travelers to get an on-arrival test. This means not all the fully vaccinated travelers will be asked to do on-arrival testing, but some of them may be selected to get testing done.

On-Arrival test is free of cost, which means there is no fee for the arrival test.

All the unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers need an on-arrival testing.

  • Flying: You may be required to take a COVID-19 test before exiting the airport unless directed to use a home test kit. It’s recommended to create an account in advance to save time at airport.
  • Driving: If your border crossing doesn’t offer on-site testing, or you decide not to use the on-site testing station, you’ll need to follow the instructions in your home test kit to complete the test at your destination.
Testing Providers At The Airports:
Land border crossings offering testing stations:
Border crossingTesting provider
Abbotsford-Huntingdon, BCLifeLabs
Douglas, BCLifeLabs
Pacific Highway, BCLifeLabs
Coutts, ABSwitchHealth
Emerson, MBDynacare
Ambassador Bridge, ONSwitchHealth
Fort Erie (Peace Bridge), ONSwitchHealth
Lansdowne (Thousand Islands Bridge), ONSwitchHealth
Niagara Falls Rainbow Bridge, ONSwitchHealth
Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, ONSwitchHealth
Sarnia (Blue Water Bridge), ONSwitchHealth
Windsor-Detroit Tunnel, ONSwitchHealth
St-Armand/Philipsburg, QCDynacare
St. Bernard de Lacolle (Highway 15), QCDynacare
Stanstead, QCDynacare
St Stephen 3rd Bridge, NBSwitchHealth
Testing Stations

Home Test Kit:

Your test kit service provider is based on where you entered the country: 

1. British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon:
COVID Test Provider
2. Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia
3. Manitoba, Quebec
COVID test provider
Dynacare Website

Day-8 Testing Requirements:

At port of entry (airport or land border), you will be given a home test kit for day-8 testing. This kit is to give sample for COVID test on day-8 of your mandatory quarantine. Fully vaccinated travelers are exempt from quarantine and day-8 testing, so this requirement is only for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers.

Travelers driving between Alaska and continental United States, you are exempt from Day-8 testing.

What If You Test Positive In On-Arrival Or Day-8 Testing:

You must isolate yourself from others immediately for a period of 10 days beginning on the day you tested positive for COVID-19, which is the day you took the test.

A government representative will call you to provide additional details and instructions.

September 2023
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930  

Ontario Drive Test Pass Rates | Latest Location Wise List

This article provides the latest Ontario drive test pass rates for full G and G2 driving licenses for all major cities in the province. It is always recommended for your own safety to learn all the driving rules and only take a driving test once you are confident and fluent with driving on Canadian roads.…

New Minimum Wage In Ontario and 5 Provinces Effective Oct 1

The new minimum wage in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island will come into effect on October 1, 2023. This year, the minimum wage was raised by British Columbia on June 1 and Quebec on May 1, after the Federal minimum wage went up at $16.65 on April 1.…

India Canada Latest News and Updates | Ongoing Diplomatic Issue

This page enlists all the India Canada latest news and updates related to the ongoing diplomatic issue between the two countries. We (INC – Immigration News Canada) are updating this page in real-time, as the situation is unfolding with LIVE, official verified updates from both countries. September 22 Update Canadian PM Justin Trudeau continues his…

Universal Eye Care Deemed Essential for Canadians 

Today, Canadians are facing a unique health crisis that continues to baffle researchers and plague the nation’s healthcare system. Over eight million citizens are living with at least one of the following major blinding eye diseases: age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. But despite 75% of visual impairment being avoidable when detected and…

New Report On International Students in Canada

Today, Canadian Senate members issued a report describing ways to improve the integrity of the program for international students in Canada. While the survey reveals that international students benefit Canada’s economy as well as its social and cultural landscape, there are a slew of integrity challenges inside Canada’s international student program. The report emphasizes, “While…

New Express Entry Draw For 10 Transport Occupations Is Out Now

Today, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC), announced the first transport Express Entry draw as part of its new category-based selection. This round of invitations emphasizes applicants with transportation experience, such as commercial truck drivers, pilots, and aircraft assembly workers, to help the industry attract the competent talent it requires across the country. The Express Entry…

New Express Entry Draw Today Invites 3,200 Profiles For PR

IRCC sent out 3,200 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a new Express Entry draw today, considering profiles from all the programs. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score jumped significantly by 35 points from 496 to 531 because of the absence of any round of invitations since August 15, 2023. Below are the details of the…

Migrants March On Streets Demanding New Permanent Residency Pathway

Migrants, including undocumented persons, students, and refugees, marched in cities throughout Canada on Sunday to seek permanent residency status for all before the federal parliament reconvenes on Monday. In Toronto, migrants and sympathizers marched across downtown, including past the intersection of Yonge and Dundas Streets, causing police to post on social media that traffic had…

Top 5 High Demand Skilled Trade Jobs In Canada

Canada has more than 300 occupations designated as skilled trade jobs and most of them are in-demand across the country and offer attractive careers. On top of this, Canada is now focusing even more on skilled trades by offering an easy pathway to permanent residency for individuals with experience inside or outside Canada in one…

New Working Holiday Visa Draws Sent 4,955 Work Permit Invitations

International Experience Canada (IEC) sent out 4,955 invitations to apply for open work permits in the new Working Holiday Visa rounds of invitations in the last 2 weeks. 15,819 spots are still available for candidates from 33 eligible countries interested in applying for a Working Holiday Visa to work and explore Canada. Updates on the…

Cap On International Students – Here Is The Latest Update

New Housing Minister and former Immigration Minister Sean Fraser takes a kind of step back on the concept of placing a cap on international students. Like we initially reported, it is not as easy as it sounds because there will be a lot of pushback from the Canadian education lobby given the amount of business…

Canada Announces New Measures To Tackle Housing Crisis & Rising Grocery Prices

On September 14, 2023, the prime minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, announced a comprehensive set of new initiatives aimed at tackling the housing crisis and containing rising grocery prices. This encompasses initiatives aimed at increasing the supply of rental accommodation, offering assistance to small company proprietors, and reducing grocery prices. Housing Crisis In Canada To…

Canadians Unhappy With PGP 2023 Not Opening For New Sponsors

The new round of PGP 2023 (Parents and Grandparents Program) will open on October 10, 2023, sending out invitations to apply for 24,200 prospective sponsors. IRCC is targeting to accept 15,000 complete applications, but PGP 2023 is not opening for new sponsors who want to participate in this lottery. In fact, this is the third…

Know About MELT Program For Truck Drivers In Canada

The MELT program or course stands for mandatory entry-level training that is required to apply for a license to become a truck driver in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Licensing in Canada is a provincial responsibility, and there are different requirements based on the province you are in. In this article, we delve…

New Express Entry Certificate of Qualification Occupation List

The IRCC officially updated the list of trade occupations eligible for Express Entry certificates of qualification on September 8, 2023. This list now has a total of 101 occupations. The best thing about this is that there is no need for previous work experience in any of these occupations; you just need to get a…

New Canadian Passport Ranking Is Now Number 6, Higher Than U.S.

The new Canadian passport has recently achieved a global ranking of 6 in the Henley Passport Index, surpassing the United States, which is now ranked number 7. This significant improvement in passport rank highlights Canada’s strong international standing and reflects the country’s commitment to facilitating global mobility for its citizens. With this enhanced passport, Canadian…

New Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship 2023 To Open In October

New Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship 2023 News: The IRCC will start accepting up to 15,000 complete applications for the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship 2023 in October 2023. Beginning on 10 October 2023, IRCC will start sending invitations to apply to 24,200 prospective sponsors, with the goal of receiving up to 15,000 complete applications. These invitations…

New Jobs Report: Unemployment Rate In Ontario Is Now At 5.9%

According to a recent jobs report from Statistics Canada for the month of August 2023, the unemployment rate in Ontario has risen to 5.9% from 5.6%. So the unemployment rate is now up by 1% from 4.9% in the month of April 2023 and is currently above the national average of 5.5%. Employment in Ontario…

New OINP Express Entry Draw Invite Profiles With CRS Score 308-434

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has conducted a new Express Entry draw, issuing 300 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) for provincial nomination. This draw specifically targeted Express Entry profiles created between September 7, 2022, and September 7, 2023, with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score ranging from 308 to 434. Only those profiles meeting the…

Know About Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) Canada

A Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) is a piece of paper that shows your application for permanent residency in Canada has been approved by the IRCC. However, it is not a ticket or a travel document. Individuals or families with COPR still need to finish the process of becoming permanent residents and get their permanent…

New Canada Digital Nomad Visa Coming By End Of 2023

Canada Digital Nomad Visa: The former Canadian Immigration Minister announced promoting Canada as a destination for digital nomads as a part of the new Tech Talent Strategy in June 2023. Although this new digital nomad strategy seems to be quite attractive, but there is nothing special about it as of now since IRCC is yet…

Know Latest Average Weekly Earnings and Job Vacancies In Canada

The average weekly earnings in Canada of employed residents rose by 3.6% year-on-year in June 2023, as per the latest Statistics Canada data released on August 31, 2023. However, these average weekly earnings increased by just $4 from $1,200 in May to $1,204 in June. The number of employees receiving pay and benefits from their…

New Government of Canada Jobs Hiring Now For Various Locations

Multiple Government of Canada jobs are currently accepting resumes for various locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, Atlantic Canada, and other provinces. We are just listing these jobs for our readers with links to apply directly on the Government of Canada websites, but we do not and cannot help you get these jobs. Always…

New Working Holiday Visa Draw Sent 4,039 Work Permit Invitations

International Experience Canada (IEC) sent whopping 4,039 open work permit invitations in new Working Holiday Visa rounds of invitations this week. 18,238 spots are still available for open work permits under the Working Holiday Visa category of 2023 season, as of September 1, 2023. Country-specific quotas are being redistributed with France getting 700 more spots…

New IRCC Update: PGWP Distance Learning Measures Extended Till Dec 31

On September 1, the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) mades a new extension to it’s temporary public policy allowing distance learning to be eligible for PGWP (Post Graduation Work Permit). Until December 31, 2023, students who has completed less than fifty percent of their PGWP-eligible studies outside of Canada will continue to be eligible…

Canada Issues 24,720 New PR Invitations In August 2023

Canada sent out 24,720 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residency (PR) in 36 new rounds of invitations under various Canadian immigration programs during the month of August 2023. This is an almost 55% increase in the total number of invitations for permanent residency as compared to the total invitations sent in July 2023. During…

New CIBC Report Says Cap On Temporary Residents Is More Urgent

A new CIBC report dated August 30, 2023, suggests that any policy aimed at capping the number of temporary residents is more urgent than perceived. This new report indicates that the official number of non-permanent residents (NPRs) or temporary residents (TRs) relied on for planning purposes by Canada is one million less than the actual…

New Ontario-OINP Draw Sent 772 PR Invitations On August 30

The new Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program-OINP draw today sent out 772 invitations to apply for permanent residency (PR). This was a general draw considering profiles with all the occupations under the Masters Graduate Stream. Expression of Interest (EOI) profiles created with OINP between November 22, 2022, and August 30, 2023 with a score of 44…

Cap on International Students – Here Are Some Possible Options

We have learned from confidential sources that IRCC is working on finalizing details on placing a cap on international students allowed to enter Canada annually to deal with the housing crisis. As per our sources, different options are being considered by the Canadian Immigration Department’s higher officials to streamline and frame the whole study visa…

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada Tech Is Still Outdated

The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has launched multiple portals lately and made multi-factor authentication mandatory, but still, technology is outdated. In today’s increasingly digital world, the significance of robust online security cannot be understated. Government agencies are no exception to this rule, as they handle a wealth of sensitive personal information. The Immigration…

Top 20 Most In-Demand Jobs In Montreal, Quebec | New List

This article lists the 20 most in-demand jobs in Montreal, the largest metropolis in the Canadian province of Quebec and the second-largest city in Canada. Montreal is a cultural, historical, and economic centre known for its vibrancy and diversity, attracting tourists from around the world to just explore the beauty of this city. With a…

How To Apply Canada SDS Study Visa With New English Tests

On August 10, 2023, the IRCC approved four new English tests for the Canada SDS (Student Direct Stream) study visa, but they did not update the GCKey. With back-and-forth communication between affected study visa applicants, the IRCC has now shared information on how to apply using the new English tests. IRCC says they are experiencing…