COVID-19 testing if not qualified as fully vaccinated
On this page
Getting tested to enter Canada
Travellers who don’t qualify as fully vaccinated must provide a valid pre-entry test to enter Canada. Pre-entry tests are no longer required for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada by land, air or water. Everyone must still use ArriveCAN within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada.
- Children who are less than 5 years old aren’t required to test, regardless of their vaccination status
Foreign nationals who don't qualify as fully vaccinated will only be allowed to enter in specific circumstances:
Find out if you can enter Canada
Providing proof of a valid pre-entry test
At this time, travellers who don’t qualify as fully vaccinated must provide proof of one of the following accepted types of test results:
- Proof of a professionally administered or observed negative antigen test taken outside of Canada no more than 1 day before your scheduled flight or entry to Canada by land or water
- the one day window does not depend on the time of day the test was taken or the time of your flight or entry
- for example, if your flight is scheduled to leave or you enter by land any time on Friday, you could provide proof of a negative result from an antigen test taken any time on Thursday, or on Friday
- it must be administered or observed by a pharmacy, laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service
- the test must be authorized for sale or distribution in Canada or in the jurisdiction in which it was obtained
- the test must be performed outside of Canada
- Proof of a valid negative molecular test taken outside of Canada within 72 hours of your scheduled flight’s departure time to Canada or your entry to Canada by land or water
- for example, if your flight is scheduled to leave at 11:00 am on Friday, your test must have been taken any time after 10:59 am on Tuesday
- Previous positive molecular test result: you no longer have symptoms and provide proof of a positive molecular test taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before entering Canada. Counting starts the day after your test.
- for example, if your positive COVID-19 molecular test was taken on January 1, then January 11 would be the earliest scheduled departure date of your flight to Canada, or the first day you could use it to enter Canada by land or water
- if your positive proof is accepted you won’t have to take arrival or Day-8 tests
- this test can be taken in or outside of Canada
- a positive antigen test result is never a valid test result for boarding a flight or entry to Canada and can’t be used as proof of a previous infection
End of short trip exemption: the pre-entry testing exemption for trips 72 hours or less ended on December 21, 2021.
- Children under 5 years of age
- Those who are exempt (e.g. crew, essential services, and cross-border communities)
Flying to Canada - when to take your test
If you have a connecting flight:
- the test must be timed for the scheduled departure time of your final flight that lands in Canada
- you may need to schedule the test in your transit city or if you’re travelling for longer than 24 hours, you may want to consider taking a molecular test instead of an antigen test.
Your proof of a valid negative test result is timed from the initial scheduled departure time of your flight to Canada:
- a negative molecular test is valid if taken outside of Canada within 72 hours
- for example, if your flight is scheduled to leave at 11:00 am on Friday, your test must have been taken any time after 10:59 am on Tuesday
- Delayed flights: if your flight is delayed by the airline, your negative COVID-19 molecular test can be used for up to an additional 24 hours (to a maximum of 96 hours) from the scheduled departure time. If the delay causes your test to be more than 96 hours old, you’ll need to be retested.
- a negative antigen test is valid if taken outside of Canada no more than one day before
- for example, if your flight is scheduled to leave at 11:00 am on Friday, your test must have been taken on the Friday or anytime on Thursday
- Delayed flights: if your flight is delayed by the airline, your test can be used for up to an additional 24 hours from the scheduled departure time. If the delay causes the test result to be more than 24 hours past the one day limit, you’ll need to be retested.
Cancelled flights: if your flight is cancelled by the airline, there are no extensions to the time limit for your pre-entry test. If your new scheduled flight is not within the time limit for your test, you’ll need to be retested.
Airlines may refuse boarding to travellers who are unable to provide a valid negative test result or proof of a previous positive molecular test result taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before entering Canada.
- for example, if your positive COVID-19 molecular test was taken on January 1, then January 11 would be the earliest scheduled departure date of your flight to Canada, or the first day you could use it to enter Canada by land or water
- if your positive proof is accepted you won’t have to take arrival or Day-8 tests
Special testing requirements for India and Morocco ended on January 28, 2022. Travellers arriving from these countries must follow the same requirements as all travellers, if eligible to enter Canada.
Arriving by car, bus, boat, ferry or train
You must take your pre-entry test outside of Canada based on the time you arrive at the land border or marine port of entry:
- a negative molecular test is valid if taken outside of Canada within 72 hours of arrival
- for example, if you enter Canada at 11:00 am on Friday, your test must have been taken any time after 10:59 am on Tuesday
- a negative antigen test result is valid if taken outside of Canada no more than one day before arrival
- for example, if you plan to enter Canada by land or water on a Friday, your test must have been taken on the Friday or anytime on Thursday
Positive results on your pre-entry test
A positive molecular pre-entry test result taken less than 10 calendar days before your planned entry or flight to Canada is not a valid test result for entry to Canada.
A positive antigen pre-entry test result is never a valid test result for boarding a flight or entry to Canada, not even if it is from within 10 to 180 calendar days before your date of entry.
Foreign nationals with symptoms or with a positive result from less than 10 calendar days before arriving will be denied entry.
Canadians: To avoid being fined $5,000 per traveller (plus surcharges), wait to enter Canada at least 10 calendar days after your positive molecular test result. If travelling by air, you’ll be denied boarding. Counting starts the day following the day of testing.
- for example, if your positive COVID-19 molecular test was taken on January 1, then January 11 would be the first day you could use it
- January 11 would be the earliest scheduled departure date of your flight to Canada, or the first day you could use it to enter Canada by land or water
- if you had a positive antigen test result, you must either:
- wait until you obtain a negative antigen test result,
- obtain a positive molecular test result to use after 10 days have passed from the date the molecular test was taken, or
- obtain a negative molecular test result which can be used within 72 hours of your scheduled flight or entry to Canada by land or water
- if your positive proof is accepted you won’t have to take arrival or Day-8 tests
- Canadians include citizens, people registered under the Indian Act, permanent residents and protected persons (refugee status)
Accepted types of tests
Molecular tests
- PCR - Polymerase chain reaction
- Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs)
- Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
These tests use methods such as a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, nose swab, or saliva sample.
Other acceptable types of molecular tests:
- RT-PCR – reverse transcription real time PCR
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
- 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
Antigen tests
Your antigen test must be administered or observed by a laboratory or testing provider.
Phrases indicating a test is an antigen test could include, but is not limited to:
- rapid antigen test
- viral antigen test
- diagnostic immunoassay
- lateral flow test (LFT)
- also could be noted as an Antigen Chromatographic Digital Immunoassay, Antigen Chemiluminescence Immunoassay, or Antigen Lateral Flow Fluorescence
Providing proof of your result
When you arrive at the border, you must present a valid negative test result (paper or electronic proof) or proof of a previous positive molecular test result taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before entering Canada. Counting starts the day after your test.
The proof must include:
- traveller name and date of birth
- name and civic address of the laboratory or testing provider that administered or professionally observed the test
- the date on which the test was taken
- the type of test taken
- the test result
Keep proof of your test results with you for the 14-day period that begins on the day you enter Canada.
Arriving without an accepted COVID-19 test
If a Canadian citizen, person registered under the Indian Act, or permanent resident does not provide proof of a valid test result they:
- will be allowed entry, but may be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 plus additional surcharges or face criminal prosecution
- may also be required to go to a designated quarantine facility if they are symptomatic on arrival at the border and do not have a suitable quarantine plan
How to isolate upon returning to Canada
Foreign nationals without a valid negative pre-entry COVID-19 test result, proof of a previous positive molecular test result, or who have symptoms of COVID-19, will be denied entry into Canada.
Fraudulent test results
All travellers arriving in Canada are required by Canadian law to respond truthfully to all questions. Providing false information to a Government of Canada official upon entry to Canada is a serious offence and may result in penalties and/or criminal charges. Foreign nationals who provide false information could also be denied entry to the country and/or be barred from returning to Canada.
Making a false declaration when boarding a flight to Canada, including the presentation of a fraudulent test result, carries the potential for up to $5,000 in administrative monetary penalties under the Aeronautics Act, in addition to a fine of $5,000 plus additional surcharges under the Quarantine Act, if the same false document is also presented upon entry into Canada.
Violating any instructions provided when you enter Canada or putting others at risk of a serious communicable disease are offences under the Quarantine Act and could lead to up to three years in prison and/or up to $1 million in fines.
Testing facilities and expenses
Select the country you’re coming from. Not all countries have testing facilities information available yet.
Canadian government offices abroad do not provide medical services (including administering COVID-19 testing) or cover medical expenses for Canadian citizens abroad. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.
Arrival testing
If you don’t qualify as fully vaccinated you must take an arrival test, a Day-8 test and quarantine. There are limited exceptions to these requirements.
Fully vaccinated travellers may be randomly selected for arrival testing
Taking your arrival test
When you enter Canada, you'll be instructed to take an arrival test at the airport, or receive a self-swab kit.
You’ll also get a kit to use on day 8 of your mandatory quarantine (except for travellers who are only passing through on their way to or from Alaska).
There’s no fee for the arrival test.
Air travellers: register in advance for arrival testing
You may be required to get tested before exiting the airport. To speed you through the process, register in advance with the testing provider for the airport you’ll arrive at.
If your airport doesn’t provide on-site testing, you’ll be given a self-swab kit to complete. You’ll need to follow the instructions in your self-swab kit to complete the test at your destination.
Register with on-site airport test providers
When you register, use the same email address you used for your ArriveCAN account.
- Calgary (YYC) – Switch Health
- Montreal (YUL) – Biron (no registration required at this time)
- Toronto (YYZ) - Switch Health
- Vancouver (YVR) – LifeLabs
Arrival testing at land borders
When you arrive at a land border crossing, you’ll be given a self-swab kit to complete. You’ll need to follow the instructions in your self-swab kit to complete the test at your destination.
Who doesn’t need an arrival test
Travellers who provide a positive COVID-19 molecular test result taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before entering Canada may be exempt from arrival testing.
- For example, if your positive COVID-19 molecular test was taken on January 1, the first day you could use it for entry into Canada by land or water would be January 11. If you’re flying, the earliest scheduled departure date of your flight to Canada would be January 11.
Find out if your travel is exempt from the arrival test requirement
Fines and consequences of failing to complete the testing requirements
All travellers will receive calls from a live agent or automated system and you may also be visited at your place of quarantine by a Screening Officer to verify your compliance.
You are under a legal obligation to take the arrival and Day-8 tests. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Quarantine Act and emergency orders made under this Act is an offence and could lead to fines of up to $750,000 or imprisonment. If you do not take the tests, you may also be transferred to a designated quarantine facility.
Complete your test kit
Use only the test kits that you received at the border. Don’t use any other test kits that you may have. The instructions, web links and telephone numbers are all provided in the kit. Use the instructions in the kit to complete it within 24 hours of entering Canada.
Do not open your swab or tube until you are instructed to do so. This can cause contamination, or result in a delay in receiving your test result.
If you haven't already done so, you must create an account to perform your home test and access your results. You must use the same email address you used for ArriveCAN.
Your test kit service provider is based on where you entered the country. Contact your testing provider if you:
- didn’t receive your kit
- lost or damaged your kit
- didn’t receive your results
- received invalid or indeterminate test results
- don’t have internet access
- need drop-off or pick-up information
How to contact your test provider
British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon
LifeLabs manages COVID-19 testing for arriving travellers.
Log in or create a LifeLabs account to use your home test kit
Contact LifeLabs
Phone
- Toll-free: 1-877-313-4982
Website
Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
Switch Health manages COVID-19 testing for arriving travellers.
Log in or create a Switch Health account to use your home test kit
Contact Switch Health
Phone
- Toll-free: 1-888-966-6531
Website
Manitoba
Dynacare manages COVID-19 testing for arriving travellers in Manitoba.
Log in or create a Dynacare account to use your home test kit
Contact Dynacare
Phone
- Toll-free: 1-855-497-1071
Website
Quebec
Biron manages COVID-19 testing for arriving travellers in Quebec.
Contact Biron
Phone
- Toll-free: 1-866-382-0287
Website
- Biron (no registration required at this time)
Travellers driving between Alaska and the continental United States
If you’re driving between Alaska and the continental United States and you come through a border crossing without a testing station, you must:
- complete the arrival test within 24 hours of your arrival in Canada
- drop it off at an approved drop box location along your travel route
Follow the instructions provided to find a drop-off location along your route.
Who doesn’t need a Day-8 test
Fully vaccinated travellers arriving to Canada, who meet all the criteria, no longer need to take a Day-8 test.
Check if you qualify as fully vaccinated
Alaska: If you are driving between Alaska and continental United States, you won't receive a Day-8 test kit, as you don't need to submit one.
Find out if your travel is exempt from Day-8 test requirements
Fines and consequences of failing to complete your Day-8 test
All travellers will receive calls from a live agent or automated system and you may also be visited at your place of quarantine by a screening officer to verify your compliance.
You are under a legal obligation to take the arrival and Day-8 tests. Failure to comply with the requirements of the Quarantine Act and emergency orders made under this Act is an offence and could lead to fines of up to $750,000 or imprisonment. If you do not take the tests, you may also be transferred to a designated quarantine facility.
Getting your test results while you’re in quarantine
Arrival test results
Getting your arrival test results at your place of quarantine
Negative results for your arrival test
You must remain in your place of quarantine and complete your Day-8 test.
A negative test result usually means you don’t have COVID-19, but it is possible to receive a negative test result when you have already been infected with COVID-19, for example, prior to the development of symptoms.
You are still required to complete a test on Day-8 and remain in quarantine for the full 14 days.
Positive results on your arrival test
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. You won’t need to complete a Day-8 test. A government representative will call you to provide additional details and instructions.
Invalid or indeterminate results from your arrival test
You must take another test. Collect another specimen using your Day-8 kit with the instructions provided. Contact your test provider, and ask them to send you a replacement kit, to use on Day-8 of your quarantine.
Day-8 test results and leaving quarantine
Negative results for your test
If you receive a negative result from your Day-8 test before the end of your 14-day quarantine, you must still complete your mandatory 14-day quarantine. You may leave your place of quarantine once your 14-day quarantine is completed.
Positive results on your test
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 you additional details and instructions.
Test result not yet available
- If you haven’t received your Day-8 test results, AND you have symptoms of COVID-19, you can’t leave quarantine at the end of your mandatory 14-day quarantine. Contact your test provider to receive your test results.
- If you haven’t received your Day-8 test results and you don’t have symptoms of COVID-19, you can leave quarantine at the end of your mandatory 14-day quarantine.
- Date modified: