travel limits canada

Where provinces and territories stand on travel restrictions as Omicron concerns rise

Travelling within canada you may face different rules on testing, quarantining depending on your destination.

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The federal government is advising Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside Canada  as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly worldwide. Incoming travellers are subject to testing and self-isolation requirements  based on their vaccination status.

But when it comes to travel within Canada, the rules vary. Individual provinces and territories may have their own set of restrictions and quarantine rules that people must follow in addition to federal guidelines.

For people travelling by plane or train between jurisdictions, a federal policy currently requires everyone 12 and up to show proof of vaccination to board domestic or international flights departing from most airports in Canada, as well as VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains.

Here's a look at some of the other rules travellers may face depending on the province or territory they are entering.

(There may be additional or separate rules for travellers coming from outside of Canada or children under the age of 12; check each jurisdiction's website for details.)

Newfoundland and Labrador

Nearly everyone 12 and up entering Newfoundland and Labrador must submit this travel form within 30 days of their expected travel date, with  limited exemptions .

If a traveller is fully vaccinated:

Starting Dec. 21, incoming travellers  must self-isolate for five days upon arrival and take a rapid COVID-19 test every day for five days, after which point they can leave isolation if all results are negative. 

Rotational workers can follow modified self-isolation for those five days but must also book a PCR test between Days 0-3. Anyone who has visited a post-secondary institution outside the province in the past 14 days must also take a PCR test within their first days of arrival.

If a traveller is not fully vaccinated:

Travellers must self-isolate until they receive the negative results from a PCR test taken on Day 7 or later, or self-isolate for 14 days if they choose not to be tested. 

They must avoid vulnerable people and are barred from visiting long-term care facilities, sporting events and large crowded settings in the first 14 days after they arrive.

On Dec. 17, the province banned any travel around the province for sporting events, recreation and arts events , though teams can continue to play within their own region.

Challenges with COVID-19 testing access affects accuracy of case counts

Prince edward island.

As of Dec. 22, all travellers coming onto the Island will be required to self-isolate .

Fully vaccinated: 

• They are required to self-isolate for four days.
• They will receive rapid antigen screening tests from the government, according to a news release , and must test negative using those tests on Day 2 and Day 4 of their isolation.
• They are asked not to host or attend New Year's Eve parties or staff parties while in the province.

Not fully vaccinated:

• They must isolate for eight days and receive negative results from two rapid tests, taken when they arrive in the province and on Day 8 of their isolation.
• They must also submit a self-isolation declaration form, which can be found here .

P.E.I. announced on Dec. 14 it is banning travel to or from the province for participation in organized recreational events , including sports, arts and culture-related gatherings. The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Maritime Junior Hockey League are exempt.

Nova Scotia

Nearly everyone ages 12 and up must complete this safe check-in form before entering Nova Scotia from another province or territory. This includes people who are fully vaccinated.

Those who don't need to complete the form (full list of exemptions here ) include travellers who are following the COVID-19 Protocol for Atlantic Canada Travel . This guidance applies to people who travel between Nova Scotia and another Atlantic province regularly or for certain reasons.

Fully vaccinated:

Travellers are not required to self-isolate, though testing is recommended.

Travellers may need to self-isolate for seven days, at which point they can leave self-isolation 1) if they receive two negative test results or 2) without getting tested if they have official documentation showing they recently recovered from COVID-19. 

Certain travellers who are not fully vaccinated, such as some essential workers, are exempt from the self-isolation requirement but may need to follow a separate protocol .

On Dec. 1, Nova Scotia announced new rules for children 11 and under that prohibit travelling into or out of the province to participate in arts or sports games, competitions and tournaments.

New Brunswick

All travellers ages 12 and up must pre-register online here and provide proof of vaccination (or proof of medical exemption), with some exceptions .

Travellers are not required to self-isolate and can apply for a multi-use pass.

Travellers must self-isolate for 14 days or until they obtain a negative test result on Day 10 or later. They will be required to register for each trip into the province.

Travellers who have proof of a medical exemption don't need to self-isolate and can apply for a multi-use pass.

Travellers arriving from another province or territory don't need to self-isolate, but the province says non-essential travel should be avoided .

Travel to the territories of Nunavik and the Cree Territory of James Bay is restricted to essential reasons (humanitarian, for work or to obtain health care). Those entering the regions are subject to conditions including a 14-day quarantine.

Travellers arriving from another province or territory don't need to self-isolate  unless they have COVID-19 symptoms.

In Thunder Bay, officials are asking residents to avoid all non-essential travel outside the region regardless of vaccination status.

‘Rules are changing all the time:’ Advice for travellers in the era of omicron

Travellers are not required to self-isolate . However, they are strongly advised to get a COVID-19 test on Day 1 of arrival, and again on Day 10.

With some exceptions , travellers must self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of test results or whether they are showing symptoms.

Manitoba also has a public health order in place restricting travel to northern Manitoba and remote communities.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan's website does not list any province-specific travel restrictions, but notes travellers returning from an out-of-province trip do not have to self-isolate .

However, passengers who travelled on flights with confirmed cases of COVID-19 are asked to self‑monitor for symptoms for 14 days after their arrival.

As with other provinces and territories, travellers in Alberta must follow federal requirements for travel within Canada .

Canada warns against non-essential travel abroad as Omicron spreads

British columbia.

As with other provinces and territories, travellers in British Columbia must follow federal requirements for travel within Canada .

That means proof of vaccination is required for those ages 12 and up on plane, train and cruise ships. However, BC Ferries does not require proof of vaccination.

While there are no restrictions barring entry into Yukon , the territory's health officials recommend avoiding travel between communities until further notice.

Some First Nations governments and communities may have additional travel advisories in place, which can be found  here .

Northwest Territories

Non-residents are currently not allowed to enter the territory for leisure travel unless they are travelling to a remote tourist location. Certain other non-residents may qualify for an exemption . 

All residents entering the territory, regardless of vaccination status, must submit a Self-Isolation Plan (SIP) .

On Dec. 17, the territory loosened isolation requirements for some travellers while introducing some new testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers.

Travellers are not required to self-isolate once they have an approved SIP.

Those travelling into small communities (as defined here ) or who either work or volunteer with vulnerable populations must take a Day 0 or 1 test, followed by a Day 8 test.

Travellers must self-isolate for 10 days but can end self-isolation early on Day 8 if they obtain a negative test taken by a health-care provider.

Those travelling into small communities must complete their self-isolation in a larger centre.

All travellers who depart or connect through Iqaluit airport (including people who travel from Iqaluit to another Nunavut community) must meet the federal travel requirements for vaccination and testing. 

While Ottawa has barred unvaccinated travellers over the age of 12 from boarding a plane or train in Canada, it is accepting a valid COVID-19 molecular test as an alternative for passengers from remote communities and in other limited situations .

The federal requirements don't apply to travellers flying between Nunavut communities who do not transit through the Iqaluit airport.

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Liquids, Non-solid Food & Personal Items

You can make your security screening experience quicker and easier by packing your liquids, non-solid food, personal and toiletry items properly.  At the airport, these items are referred to as “liquids, aerosols and gels.”

Below you will find information on various items that fall into these categories, a list of items that are exempted from restrictions, and tips on how to pack all of them. 

On this page

Examples of liquids, non-solid food and personal items that are liquids, aerosols and gels, how to pack your liquids, non-solid food and personal items, liquids/non-solid food, personal items.

• soft drinks
• bottled water
• maple syrup
• conditioner
• liquid soap
• insect repellent
• liquid/gel based hand sanitizers
• creams/lotions
• liquid based cosmetics (e.g. mascara, liquid foundation, liquid eyeliner)
• static remover
• sunscreen spray
• shaving cream
• aerosol deodorant
• aerosol cheese strings
• hair styling gel
• mashed potatoes
• peanut butter
• chocolate spread
• cheese spread
• maple spread
• shaving gel
• gel-based deodorant
• gel-based cosmetics (e.g. gel blush, gel lip products)

Please note that if an item that is illegal in Canada (e.g. pepper spray) is found at a screening checkpoint, CATSA is required to notify the police.

• Containers of liquids, non-solid food and personal items in your carry-on must be 100 ml/100 g (3.4 oz) or less . All containers must fit in one clear, resealable plastic bag no more than 1L in capacity. The bag must be transparent so screening officers can easily see the contents.
• Each passenger is allowed a single 1 L bag containing liquids, food and personal items. The approximate dimensions of a 1L bag are 15.24 cm by 22.86 cm (6 in. by 9 in.) or 20 cm by 17.5 cm (8 in. by 7 in.).
• At the screening point, take your plastic bag out of your carry-on and place it in a bin.
• Any containers over 100 ml/100 g (3.4 oz) can be placed in your checked baggage as long as they are not prohibited items. 
• Avoid packing gifts and souvenirs containing liquids, aerosols and gels in your carry-on. These include: liquor, wine, beer, snowglobes, cans of condensed soup, maple syrup, perfume, and lotion. Put them in checked baggage or ship them separately.
• Beverages: Drink or discard any beverages in containers of more than 100 ml before you get to security screening checkpoint.  This includes water in your personal water bottle. You can refill your container once you pass through security.
• Duty-Free Alcohol: Be sure you know the rules for bringing duty-free alcohol as part of your carry-on baggage.
• Non-solid food (e.g. yogurt, pudding, peanut butter, jam) in your carry-on must be in containers of 100 ml or less. All containers must fit in the same clear, closed, resealable 1 L plastic bag, along with all other containers of liquids, food or personal items you are carrying.
• Food over 100 ml that is normally a liquid or gel but has been frozen solid will not be allowed to pass through security in your carry-on. In order for a food to be considered a solid, it must be solid at room temperature.
• Solid food with less than 100 ml of liquid: Canned or jarred goods containing both solids and liquid that clearly contain less than 100 ml of liquid (e.g., can of tuna) are allowed. These items must fit in the same clear, closed, resealable 1 L plastic bag with all other containers of liquids, food or personal items you are carrying. 
• Food in checked baggage:  Both solid food and non-solid (over 100 ml) can go in your checked baggage; however, some restrictions may apply.

Did you know?

You can bring solid food in both carry-on and checked baggage. See Travelling with Food Items  for more detail. 

You can pack alcoholic beverages (including homemade wine and beer, and commercial products) in your checked baggage if:

• The percentage of alcohol by volume is 70% (140 proof) or less.
• The quantity does not exceed five litres per person for alcoholic beverages between 24% and 70% alcohol by volume.

Alcoholic beverages containing 24% alcohol or less are not subject to limitations on quantities. 

Duty-free alcohol: See Duty-Free Purchases .

Check the Canadian Border Services Agency website for personal exemption amounts on alcoholic beverages.

Personal items are allowed in carry-on baggage if they comply with the liquid restrictions. Some restrictions also apply to personal items in checked baggage.

The following items are allowed in limited quantities in your checked baggage:

• Insect repellent (limit of one aerosol canister per person)
• Aerosol items that are toiletry articles (e.g. hair spray, perfumes, cologne, aerosol deodorant)

Aerosols are subject to a maximum limit of 500 ml/500 g per container , with a total net quantity not exceeding 2 L/2 kg. Release valves on aerosols must be protected by a cap or other suitable means to prevent inadvertent release of the contents.

Some items are exempted from the 100 ml or 100 g (3.4 oz) limit and do not have to be placed in a plastic bag. However, you must declare these items to the screening officer for inspection. The exceptions are:

• Baby food/drink: If you are travelling with an infant younger than two years of age (0-24 months), baby food, milk, liquid formula, water and juice are allowed in quantities greater than 100 ml .
• Breast milk: Passengers flying with or without their child can bring breast milk in quantities greater than 100 ml
• Prescription medicines are allowed.
• Essential non-prescription medicines , such as homeopathic products, pain relieving medication, cough syrup, decongestant spray, gel-based nutritional supplements, saline solution or eye care products, are allowed. 
• COVID-19 test kits are permitted without restrictions in carry-on and checked baggage.
• Gel and ice packs are allowed, if they are needed to treat an injury, to refrigerate baby food, milk, breast milk, formula, water and juice for infants younger than two years of age (0-24 months), or to preserve medically necessary items or medication
• Liquids/gels for diabetes: Juice or gels are allowed if you need them for diabetic or other medical conditions.
• Distilled water for CPAP devices: The distilled water needed to operate Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices is exempt from liquid restrictions.

Documentation to support your medical needs or condition is not required; however, if you feel that it would help ease your screening, it should be presented to the screening officer along with your medically necessary items.

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Travelling with CAD$10,000 or more? Sending it by mail or courier? Declare it

October 1, 2022 : covid-19 emergency border measures ended.

Refer to COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders for details.

The penalties for failing to report have changed

Penalties for seized currency or monetary instruments equivalent to CAD $10,000 or more are now in effect and range from 5% to 50% of the total value.

It should be noted that CBSA will not return funds if it is suspected they are proceeds of crime or funds for financing terrorist activities.

There are no restrictions on the amount of money you can bring into or take out of Canada, and it is not illegal to do so, as long as you declare it.

This applies to all travellers, couriers and to people carrying money on behalf of someone else.

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What to declare, how to declare your money when you enter or leave canada, sending money to or from canada by mail, sending money to or from canada by courier.

• If you fail to report (penalties)

What happens to your report

Related link.

Whether you are leaving or entering Canada, you must declare any currency (cash) or monetary instruments valued at CAD $10,000 or more that you are carrying. This amount includes Canadian or foreign currency or a combination of both.

Monetary instruments include, but are not limited to:

• bank drafts
• cheques and traveller's cheques

You must also declare funds you send to or from Canada by mail or by courier.

If you are carrying CAD $10,000 or more of your own money when entering or leaving Canada, complete this form for individuals and be ready to present it when you travel.

If you are carrying money on behalf of someone else, complete this general form and be ready to present it when you travel.

Arriving in Canada

If you are carrying CAD$10,000 or more you must report it at:

• an airport kiosk
• on your CBSA Declaration Card (if one was provided to you)
• through your Advance Declaration , or
• as part of your verbal declaration to a border services officer

Leaving Canada

When leaving by air carrying CAD $10,000 or more, you must report to the CBSA office at the airport, before clearing security. Before leaving by land, boat or rail, report to the nearest CBSA office.

Important information for NEXUS members

If you are crossing the border with currency or monetary instruments valued at CAD $10,000 or more, you cannot use NEXUS.

More information: NEXUS Terms and conditions

If you are sending CAD$10,000 or more in currency or monetary instruments to Canada by mail:

• complete this general form and place it inside your parcel
• attach a Universal Postal Convention ( UPC ) declaration, available at your nearest postal office , to the parcel
• complete this general form and submit a copy of it to the nearest CBSA office
• attach a Canada Post Customs Declaration form ( CN23 ), available at your nearest postal office , to the parcel

Additional postal requirements may exist. Contact Canada Post for more information.

If you are sending CAD $10,000 or more in currency or monetary instruments to or from Canada by courier complete this general form .

You must give this completed form to the person in charge of the conveyance or the courier . They will:

• complete a courier form
• attach it to your general form

If you fail to report

The CBSA has the authority to seize all currency and monetary instruments if the entire value is not reported. They may be returned after a penalty is paid.

Penalties range from 5% to 50% of the seized funds. The CBSA will not return the funds if it is suspected they are the proceeds of crime or funds for financing terrorist activities.

If you wish to dispute the seizing of funds , you may file a review.

Why you need to report

Reporting currency is an important part of helping CBSA fight money laundering and terrorist financing.

The CBSA administers and enforces legislation to help the Government of Canada to:

• detect and deter money laundering and terrorist financing activities
• facilitate the investigation and prosecution of related offences
• respond to the threat posed by organized crime
• fulfill international commitments to fight transnational crime

More information: Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (justice.gc.ca)

Your completed forms are sent to the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada ( FINTRAC ) for assessment and analysis.

The information provided on the currency reporting forms is subject to the Privacy Act and is collected under the authority of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act ( PCMLTFA ).

• Border Information Service , by telephone

Cross-Border Currency and Monetary Instruments Reporting Regulations

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Travel information

Top questions about passports.

• How do I check my application status ?
• When should I renew my passport ?
• I’m a dual citizen. Do I need my Canadian passport to return to Canada ?
• Can I renew my passport instead of applying for a new one ?
• What should I do if my passport is lost, damaged or stolen ?
• How do I open your application forms ?

See more questions in the Help Centre

Travelling in general

There isn’t a specific answer to this question. This is because each country has its own entry requirements.

Always check the entry and exit requirements for all countries you’re going to visit before making your plans. Then check your passport to see when it expires. This will tell you whether you need to renew your passport yet.

All countries have their own entry requirements. Read the  travel advisories  to view the entry and exit requirements of each country.

Since these requirements can change, you may also check with the  Government of Canada office  of the country you visit.

You shouldn’t travel with a passport that will expire during your trip or shortly after your planned return. To avoid problems while travelling, you should get a new passport before leaving if your passport could expire around or during your travels.

Some countries won’t allow you to enter if your passport expires shortly after your planned return date. To find out more about entry and exit requirements, consult the:

• travel advisories
• Government of Canada office  of the country you will be visiting

You should make all travel arrangements in the name on your passport.

If the names don't match, you may have problems at border crossings or when boarding flights.

Check with the authorities in the destination country to find out if you need any other documents.

Travelling with children

We strongly recommend that your child carry a consent letter if they’re travelling abroad:

• friends or relatives
• only one parent/guardian

For the purposes of the consent letter, a Canadian child is defined as anyone who is under the age of majority (18 or 19, depending on the province or territory of residence).

Learn more about children travelling abroad and get a  sample consent letter at Travel.gc.ca .

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