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Please review the official government resources before reviewing the FAQs. Many answers to your questions can be found on Immigration Canada's and Immigration Quebec's websites.
1. In order to enter Canada, do I need to be vaccinated?
Yes. Since January 15th, 2022, all travellers, including all international students, must be fully vaccinated to enter Canada.
There is a limited list of exemptions, which includes international students under the age of 18 attending a designated learning institution with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by the province or territory where the school is located may enter Canada, which McGill is.
For information regarding certain exemptions, please see the “Exemptions” tab under our Travelling to and from Canada page. For the full list of exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, please refer to IRCC’s COVID-19 Travel: Checklists for requirements and exemptions page.
2. I have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Am I required to quarantine for 14 days upon my arrival to Canada?
Fully vaccinated* travellers entering Canada by land or by air are exempt from the federal requirement to undergo a 14-day quarantine, however they must meet the requirements below:
- be asymptomatic when entering Canada;
- have a paper or digital copy of their proof of vaccination documentation in English or French (or accompanied by a certified translation);
- submit their COVID-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN prior to their arrival in Canada;
- present a suitable quarantine plan, and be prepared to quarantine, should a border officer determine that they do not meet the conditions to be exempt from quarantine; AND
- Be prepared to take an arrival test if selected to do so by the border officer upon arrival to Canada.
Fully vaccinated travellers are also required to follow all other public health measures in place such as the wearing of a mask in public, where applicable.
3. Do I need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result to travel to Canada?
NO. Pre-entry testing is no longer required for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada by land, air, or water.
4. Is McGill on the list of Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) with an approved COVID-19 readiness plan in place?
Yes. McGill is on the list of approved institutions. This means that international students with a valid study permit or study permit approval letter can travel to Canada. See our message on entering Canada for the full entry requirements.
5. Can the airline deny me boarding my flight to Canada?
Yes. Everyone travelling to Canada by air is first required to pass a preliminary health check by airline officials before boarding their flight. Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 may not be allowed to board their plane.
If you are allowed to board your flight, immigration officials will assess your health when you arrive in Canada before allowing you to enter. Foreign nationals showing symptoms of COVID-19 or who have COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada.
As per the Public Health Agency of Canada:
No one should travel when sick. Commercial airline restrictions may also prevent you from boarding your plane if you're sick. However, Canadians, persons with status under the Indian Act and permanent residents who have COVID-19 symptoms are allowed to return to Canada.
If you arrive in Canada with symptoms of COVID-19, let a border official know. A Government of Canada representative will then be contacted to assess your situation. If you need it, they'll help you get medical care.
Foreign nationals won't be allowed to enter Canada if they have COVID-19 or any symptoms of COVID-19.