COVID-19 pre-boarding test requirements for air travel from China, Hong Kong and Macao
On this page
Getting tested to board your flight
As of January 5, 2023: All air travellers 2 years of age and older, taking a flight originating from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong or Macao that lands in Canada must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status.
This applies to:
- travel to Canada through connecting flights from other countries
- for example, if your flight itinerary starts in China and includes a connecting flight from Germany to Canada
- transiting through Canada with onwards travel to another country
- if Canada isn’t your final destination, also check the travel and testing requirements for your final destination
This doesn’t apply to:
- travellers transiting through China, Hong Kong or Macao, who are there for 24 hours or less
- for example, if your flight itinerary starts in Australia and includes a connecting flight in China before continuing to Canada and if you are in China for 24 hours or less before the connecting flight to Canada is initially scheduled to depart
You must:
- provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 2 days before the scheduled departure time of your flight from China, Hong Kong or Macao.
- The test could be either a negative molecular test (such as PCR), or a negative antigen test that has documentation to show that it has been monitored in person or in real time through remote audiovisual means by the accredited laboratory or testing provider who provided the test to you.
- show proof of your test to the airline when boarding in China, Hong Kong or Macao
Airlines will refuse boarding to travellers who are unable to provide a valid test result.
If you’ve tested positive and recovered from COVID-19
You must provide proof of a positive COVID-19 molecular or antigen test.
Your proof must be from a test conducted between 10 and 90 days before your scheduled flight from China, Hong Kong or Macao.
Providing proof of your result
You must present an accepted test result (paper or electronic proof), which must include:
- traveller name and date of birth or age
- the name and civic address of the accredited laboratory or the testing provider that performed or observed the test and verified the test result
- for example: testing providers can be a telehealth service provider or pharmacy
- the date on which the test was conducted
- the type of test conducted (molecular or antigen)
- the test result
You must show proof of your test results even if you:
- have been vaccinated for COVID-19
You must keep the proof of your test result until you leave the airport in Canada.
Who does not need a pre-boarding test
There are only a limited number of exceptions where you’re not required to show proof of a negative or a previous positive test, such as:
- Children - children who are under 2 years of age (children who are 2 on the day of their travel must have proof of a COVID-19 test)
- Less than 24 hours in China – if you were in China, Hong Kong or Macao for less than 24 hours before your scheduled flight’s departure time
- Crew members - a person who:
- is a crew member as defined in subsection 101.01(1) of the Canadian Aviation Regulations or a person who enters Canada only to become such a crew member
- is a member of a crew as defined in subsection 3(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations who is re-entering Canada
- On a humanitarian flight - people arriving by Government of Canada humanitarian flights
- Date modified: