After arriving in Canada
Latest updates
The information on this page is based on information available at the time of publishing and may not always be up to date.
As of November 30, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers who have been in any country other than Canada and the United States in the 14 days prior to entry to Canada may be selected for testing when they arrive and must quarantine in a suitable place while waiting for the on arrival test result. You may take public transportation, such as connecting flights, to your place of quarantine.
At this time requirements for unvaccinated travellers have not changed. Unvaccinated foreign nationals may take public transportation, such as connecting flights, to your place of quarantine within 24 hours after your Canada-bound flight departs. The November 30 news release states unvaccinated travellers with right of entry to Canada will continue to be tested on arrival and on day 8 and quarantine for 14 days.
Travel restrictions, testing and quarantine requirements may change without notice. Visit COVID-19: Travel, testing, and borders for updates.
On December 15, 2021, the government issued a travel health notice to avoid non-essential travel internationally.
As of January 15, 2022, international students and work permit holders must be fully vaccinated to travel to Canada. Exceptions will include international students under the age of 18 studying at approved institutions such as UBC. Visit the backgrounder and November 19 news release and November 30 news release for more information.
Last updated Thursday, January 6
Travelling to Canada: step by step
Step 1: Check if you’re eligible
Step 3: Prepare your quarantine (self-isolation) plan
Step 5: After you arrive
When you arrive in Canada, there are steps you need to take before starting your studies.
Follow your self-isolation plan
After arrival in Canada, if you must quarantine you’ll need to use ArriveCan to confirm your arrival and place of quarantine, complete daily self assessments and confirm you’ve completed the Day 8 test (if applicable). Visit the ArriveCAN page for details.
If your contact information or quarantine location has changed, email your updated information to phac.quarantine.covid19.quarantaine.aspc@canada.ca.
If the officer has determined that you are fully vaccinated and confirmed you do not need to quarantine yet you are receiving notifications, see ArriveCan troubleshooting.
As of November 30, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers who have been in any country other than Canada and the United States in the 14 days prior to entry to Canada may be selected for testing when they arrive and must quarantine in a suitable place while waiting for the on arrival test result. You may take public transportation, such as connecting flights, to your place of quarantine. At this time requirements for unvaccinated travellers have not changed. Unvaccinated foreign nationals may take public transportation, such as connecting flights, to your place of quarantine within 24 hours after your Canada-bound flight departs. The November 30 news release states unvaccinated travellers with right of entry to Canada will continue to be tested on arrival and on day 8 and quarantine for 14 days. Travel restrictions, testing and quarantine requirements may change without notice. Visit COVID-19: Travel, testing, and borders for updates.
COMPLETE YOUR COVID-19 TEST KIT
As of February 22, 2021, you will be given a COVID-19 test kit on arrival in Canada to complete on day 8 of your quarantine unless exempt.. Complete the COVID-19 test following the instructions you were provided.
You will need to continue to quarantine until you get a negative test result. If you test positive, you will need to start the 14 day quarantine cycle again.
Starting July 5, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from this test.
See Day-8 COVID-19 testing for details.
Getting support during your self-isolation period
If you have plans to self-isolate off-campus, our Off-Campus Self-Isolation Ambassadors are are available to help. They can answer questions directly related to your self-isolation or more general questions about other aspects of your UBC experience.
To request support from our ambassadors, please complete the following form:
Request off-campus isolation support
You can also email int.programs.ok@ubc.ca if you have any specific questions about your off-campus self-isolation process.
After-arrival checklist
AFTER ARRIVING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA:
- Apply for the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- Check that you have iMED health insurance
- Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Add your document expiry dates to UBC’s Reminder System
- After self-quarantine, get a BCID to avoid carrying your passport for identification.
- Learn how to get vaccinated or register your vaccine if you’ve been vaccinated outside of BC
Be sure to follow BC public health guidelines and see COVID-19 and UBC’s response for updates
If you need emergency financial support
If you’re facing financial hardship or have questions around your finances during the COVID-19 outbreak, speak to an International Student Advisor.
If you are required to quarantine upon entry to Canada to begin or continue your studies, you may be eligible for the UBC Quarantine Bursary.
Learning about life in Canada
- iPREP immigration and health insurance course for undergraduate students and graduate students
- New to UBC resources for first years
- UBC 101
- Getting to know Canada
- Health insurance for international students
- Working in Canada
- Guide to banking in Canada
- Driving in BC
- Resources for if you have children
resources
International Student Guide
Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC’s Okanagan campus.
International student FAQ
Learn more about the impact of COVID-19 on immigration and health insurance for international students.
This information is accurate as of December 21, 2021 , and is subject to change. Follow the latest updates on travel restrictions due to COVID-19. See also CBSA’s updates on travel for non-Canadians.
