Travellers from Canada who are fully vaccinated will be able to cross the border into the United States beginning November 8.

On that day, the United States will lift restrictions on international travel that have been in place since March 2020, for those who have been fully vaccinated. 

According to current information, air travellers will be required to present proof of vaccination upon arrival in the U.S., as well as a negative COVID-19 test performed prior to departure within three days of boarding. This is also the policy for air travellers arriving in Canada from the United States.

Non-essential travellers crossing a land border will be required to show proof of vaccination but, unlike air travellers, will not be required to show a negative COVID-19 test.

The planned reopening of the border will be done in two phases. In November, fully vaccinated travellers will be allowed to enter the U.S. by land or sea with proof of vaccination. Tourists who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will not be allowed to cross the border.

The second phase is expected to be implemented in early January 2022 and will require all essential and non-essential travelers to be fully vaccinated in order to cross the land or sea border (this includes truckers, students, and health care workers).

This easing of border measures announcement was eagerly awaited. It comes several months after Canada opened its borders to Americans on August 9.

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Which vaccines will be recognized?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is still working out the details of what will constitute acceptable vaccination proof and which exceptions will be granted, if any.

Vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) will be accepted for international air travel, and officials are expecting the same to apply at land borders.

Still unclear is whether people who have received doses of two different vaccines, a situation that affects an estimated four million Canadians, will be considered as fully vaccinated.

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