Philippines to Canada: Travel Requirements, Visa Application, Quarantine Rules, Etc.

Fully vaccinated tourists are not required to present a negative RT-PCR test result upon entering Canada.
by Ina Louise Manto | May 19, 2022

A melting pot of different cultures, Canada is home to bustling cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Quebec, boasting cityscapes and natural attractions that will fit every type of traveler. Whether you’re traveling from the Philippines to Canada to explore its cities or to reunite with family members after two years, here’s everything you need to know to help plan your trip:

 

Is Canada open to tourists?

Yes, Canada is open to fully vaccinated tourists.

 

Who can travel to Canada from Philippines?

• Canadian citizens including dual citizens, permanent residents of Canada, persons registered under the Indian Act, or protected person (refugee status)
• Fully vaccinated foreign nationals may be allowed entry for discretionary (non-essential travel)
• Foreign nationals who aren’t fully vaccinated may also be allowed entry under specific circumstances

 

Do you need a visa to enter Canada?

Yes, you need a visa to enter Canada. If you’re visiting as a tourist, you’re going to need a visitor visa or a temporary resident visa, which allows for visits of up to 6 months in Canada. This visa costs CAN $100. Find more details about the visitor visa here.

As of writing, the following types of visas may be applied for at the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines in Makati City:

• study permits
• work permits
• visitor visas (temporary resident visas)
• travel documents for permanent residents

 

Requirements for travel from the Philippines to Canada

These are the travel and medical documents you need to prepare for travel:

• Approved visa
• ArriveCAN receipt
• Beginning April 1, 2022, fully vaccinated travelers are not required to present a negative RT-PCR test result upon entering Canada. However, your airline may require you to present a negative test result to be allowed boarding, so you would have to check!
• Proof of vaccination
• Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage
• Return ticket

 

What documents do I need to have at the immigration?

Fully vaccinated travelers need to have the following documents with them for assessment by a government official:

• ArriveCAN receipt with letter A, I, or V beside the vaccinated traveler’s name
• Proof of vaccination uploaded into ArriveCAN
• If you recovered from COVID-19, proof of a prior positive molecular test result
• Travel document entered in ArriveCAN (e.g. passport)

 

How do I get an ArriveCAN receipt?

ArriveCAN is a mandatory requirement for all travelers to Canada. Failure to submit travel information and proof of vaccination using ArriveCAN is subject to a fine of $5,000. It would help if you also qualified for the fully vaccinated traveler exemption from quarantine and testing.

To get the receipt, submit your travel and vaccination information within 72 hours before your arrival in Canada. You can create your ArriveCAN account through the mobile application (iOS or Android) or web version. Your receipt will include a summary of your travel, a list of travelers included in your submission, and a 6-character receipt code.

Find more information about ArriveCAN here.

 

What are the vaccines accepted in Canada?

The Government of Canada accepts the following vaccines for the purpose of travel to and within Canada:

• AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD
• Bharat Biotech
• Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
• Medicago Covifenz
• Moderna, including for children aged 6 to 11 years
• Novavax
• Pfizer-BioNTech, including for children aged 5 to 11 years
• Sinopharm BIBP
• Sinovac

 

Canada quarantine rules

Fully vaccinated travelers entering Canada may be selected for mandatory random testing. If you’re selected, you will be required to undergo a COVID-19 test before exiting the airport. In addition, you will not be required to quarantine while waiting for test results.

Unvaccinated travelers who are eligible to enter Canada are subject to testing on arrival and on their eighth day of stay and undergo a 14-day quarantine.

 

Current Canada COVID situation

 

For more information and updates, don’t forget to visit the following pages:

• Embassy of Canada in the Philippines
• Vaccinated travelers entering Canada 
• Find out if you can enter Canada 
• Government of Canada