ArriveCan : everything you need to know

Planning a trip to Canada in 2021?

In April 2020, the Canadian government launched ArriveCan, a digital tool that allows travelers to submit their information regarding their arrival in Canada and their quarantine plan directly on the mobile app or online.

Along with the health measures in place, the application allows all information to be processed quickly and transmitted to the relevant provincial authorities, which is essential for travel during a pandemic.

In addition, it allows faster border crossing and limits contact.
 

ArriveCan: How do I use it?

The use of ArriveCan will be different depending on your vaccination status.

Fully vaccinated travelers will not have to quarantine, but they must still submit a declaration before their arrival.

Unvaccinated travelers will be required to complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine, submit a declaration before arrival, in addition to completing a daily self-assessment form.

Here is the detailed procedure to follow:

Test on arrival

You may be assigned a random COVID screening test upon your arrival by air in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver.

• You must submit to the arrival test in accordance with the directives in force on the day of your entry to Canada. 
• You don't have to wait for the results, you can get to your final destination, including connecting flights
• You won't have to quarantine while waiting for your results
• If you are positive, you must isolate for 10 days. 
• The test is free, you will not have to pay for it

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Who is required to use ArriveCan?

Since the order of November 21, 2020, all air travelers destined for Canada must submit their electronic information through the ArriveCan application before boarding their flight.

Travellers crossing land or sea borders must also provide this information.

ArriveCan is therefore essential to any travel to Canada in times of COVID-19.
 

The information to be transmitted if you are not vaccinated includes:

• Your COVID-19 test results (test must be done in the 72 hours prior to your arrival)
• Where you are planning to go inside Canada
• A quarantine plan to follow on arrival
• Your personal contact details and a list of contact persons
   

The information to be transmitted if you are fully vaccinated includes:

• Your proof of vaccination (2 doses)
• A quarantine plan in case your test result is positive (no reservation is necessary)
   

All travellers wishing to enter Canada will be required to provide their ArriveCan receipt to border officials.

Exemptions

The following persons are exempt from providing their information via ArriveCan:

• People who are exceptions to the Quarantine Act, as set out in the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order.
• Passengers who are in transit and whose final destination is not Canada.

People who do not have a computer or a cell phone are not exempt from filing a declaration. There is no paper format. Use a device belonging to a relative or a public computer to transmit your information.

ArriveCan : how does it work?

Before your travel :

First you need to download the mobile app and create your file.

You can access your file 72 hours prior to your departure time.

Applicants who cannot submit their documents using their mobile phone can do so from any type of electronic device, such as a computer or tablet, here.

Once your file is created, enter your information.

Your personal information :

• Name
• Date of birth
• E-mail adress
• Phone number
• Information on other travelers accompanying you

Your travel information :

• Your arrival date
• Your port of entry or your flight number, arrival airport and airline used
• The purpose of your trip (Since September 7th, 2021, roads trip in Canada are permitted for all vaccinated travellers! )

Your proof of vaccination :

• You must provide proof of your two doses of vaccine, except for the 1-dose Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine.
• The vaccines approved by the Government of Canada are: Moderna, Pfizer-BioNtech, AstraZeneca (COVISHIELD) and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson).
• If you have received another vaccine, you will not be exempt from the mandatory quarantine.
• Your second dose must have been received at least 2 weeks before your trip.
• Your proofs must be in French or English. Otherwise, you will need to get them translated to one of these two languages.

Your quarantine plan :

• Attestation of having a place to do your quarantine
• The address of your place of quarantine or isolation - or your trip reference code for your 3-night reservation at a government-authorized hotel (for air travellers only, unless exempt)
• A declaration as to the presence of vulnerable people at your quarantine location
• The type of environment: group living, single-family home, etc.
• The deliveries you expect to receive during your quarantine

Calculation of your 14-day quarantine 

Day 1 of your quarantine begins the day you arrive in Canada, even if you arrive in the evening.

For example, if you arrive in Canada on Thursday at 10 pm, it is still your day 1. Your first authorized outing will therefore be on Thursday, two weeks later.

If you were to come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, or show symptoms, your 14 days will start again on that date.

That is, if you were on your day 5 and you are experiencing symptoms, or someone you are quarantined with tests positive, you start the calculation again on day 1.
 

And that's it for the use of the ArriveCan digital tool.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below!