Updates for int’l students arriving in Canada from 7th of January

The Minister of Transport of Canada announced that from January 7th, all passengers aged five and older arriving by air in Canada will need to present the negative results of a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test to their airline before boarding.

This will apply to all international students arriving in Canada who will need to present a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to travel.

International students with a study permit who have attended learning institutions with a Covid-readiness plan approved by the provincial government have been able to enter Canada since October.

The arriving passengers must use the ArriveCAN app or website to provide exact contact information and their mandatory 14-day quarantine plan on or before entry.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, François-Philippe Champagne said: “The COVID-19 situation continues to show its unpredictable and rapidly changing nature. We, therefore, need to implement additional quick and effective actions to protect the health and safety of all Canadians.”

The Canadian officials announced that increasing surveillance actions will be in place to check those quarantine periods are followed. Canada Borders Service Agency (CBSA) has put also extra measures at the airports where the travellers will be checked for any indications of illness. In addition to this, the border services officers (BSOs) will apply a greater search to confirm that the traveller’s quarantine plan is the same as the information provided via ArriveCAN.  

In the event of questions arising, the questioned person will be referred to a Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) official on-site at the airport.

The CBSA continues to monitor the global environment and takes the steps required to keep Canada and Canadians safe reflecting the comment on the situation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

All international students arriving in Canada are advised to follow the new rules introduced to avoid any problems before boarding and when arriving in the country.