The Ultimate Guide to Unvaccinated Travel for Canadians

Rules and regulations surrounding unvaccinated travel have been keeping some of us close to home for the last two years. But travel requirements have slowly been easing up over the course of 2022. Countries all over the world are finally lifting one important entry requirement: proof of vaccination. 

While some rules may still be in place, such as a quarantine period, negative results of a recent Covid-19 test, random screening or mask mandates, more and more nations now welcoming both vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers alike.  

Unvaccinated travel within Canada

With the rising cost of international flights, exploring more of Canada is a good option for anyone trying to save money on their vacation. Every province and territory in Canada is open for unvaccinated travellers, but safety precautions vary slightly from province to province. 

Northwest Canada

At the onset of the pandemic, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon and Nunavut took every precaution to protect the population that lived there, including border closures and putting a halt to any unnecessary travel between communities. With the majority of the population now vaccinated, travel and tourism to the North have opened up again, and guidelines to the territories are in line with federal mandates.

The Government of Nunavut is no longer reporting case numbers or vaccine data. Unvaccinated travel to and around the NWT, the Yukon and Nunavut is allowed once more, with the only exception being passengers entering Nunavut via cruise ships. In the Yukon, practicing the ‘Safe 6’ is still encouraged. However, any travel across the border from the Yukon into Alaska is subject to U.S federal travel restrictions including presenting valid proof of vaccination. 

The east coast

Travel restrictions have also loosened up in provinces in the Maritime, including rules surrounding unvaccinated travel. All travellers, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. As of February 28, 2022,  travellers to Newfoundland and Labrador were no longer required to self-isolate, get tested on arrival or complete a travel form. Covid-19 screening at any point of entry to Prince Edward Island stopped on April 28, 2022.

In Nova Scotia, unvaccinated travellers can enter without having to isolate, but proof of vaccination is still required for passengers entering via cruise ships, similar to Nunavut. New Brunswick, which saw an increase in cases over the summer, is not considering re-implementing certain health measures like masking, and unvaccinated travel will continue to and from the province. 

The prairies

The prairie provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have similar measures in order. Unvaccinated travel is allowed, with no extra precautions like a self-isolation period or registration required for unvaccinated travel. 

Quebec, Ontario, and BC

There are no unvaccinated travel restrictions in place for Ontario or Quebec either. However, Quebec’s website still stresses that non-essential travel should be avoided. 

In British Columbia, there is no provincial requirement to show proof of vaccination to travel, enter a business or attend an event, but business owners may choose to require their patrons to show proof of vaccination. 

All provinces and territories within Canada state that public health measures and mandates may return if cases surge to the point of overwhelming the health care system. 

Read More: The 20 best places to visit in Canada for 2022

Unvaccinated travel to the United States

While the border between Canada and the US has opened up for vaccinated travellers, it remains closed to Canadians and all foreign nationals who are not vaccinated. All travellers bound for the United States by land, sea or air must be fully vaccinated and present valid proof of vaccination status. However, this only applies to visitors to the US, not to citizens US nationals, permanent residents or immigrants. 

Age & health status

The only exemptions to this mandate are children under the age of 18 and individuals who are medically unfit to be vaccinated. If you’re medically unfit, have to provide proof for this exemption, like a note from a medical professional. The exemption also applies to someone entering under emergency circumstances who did not have time to get fully vaccinated. 

If you’re coming home from the US, vaccinated and unvaccinated Canadians alike need to submit information regarding their travel plans to the ArriveCAN app in order to re-enter Canada. Unvaccinated Canadians must also take a pre-entry test and submit their test results to the app in addition to their travel details and their 14-day quarantine plan. You will be able to take a second test for Covid-19 on day 8 of your quarantine. 

Unvaccinated travel to international destinations

Lifting travel bans means that Canadians can travel both domestically and internationally, so if you’ve been itching to cash in your travel credit card rewards, now is the time. There are 85 countries to choose from that welcome tourists regardless of vaccination status. 

Europe

Albania

Located in the Southeastern region of the Balkans, Albania has stunning coastlines, castles, and interesting history. They opened their borders to unvaccinated travellers on May 1, 2022. 

Andorra

Nestled in between France and Spain in the Pyrenees mountains, Andorra is a ski lover’s paradise. They have no entry requirements, but unvaccinated travellers can only enter from the side that borders France. 

Armenia

Armenia is located in the Caucasus region, which separates Asia from Europe. They opened their borders for unvaccinated travel on May 1, 2022.

Austria

If you visit Austria, you are still required to wear a mask in certain situations (like public transport) but unvaccinated travel was re-instated on May 16, 2022. 

Belarus

On May 28, 2022, this former Soviet nation ended all restrictions related to Covid-19, including unvaccinated travel bans.  

Belgium

Restrictions have been lifted, but travellers who are coming from countries where there is a concern of the variants must provide proof of vaccination. 

Bulgaria

Restrictions have been lifted since May 1.

Croatia

A popular destination for yacht enthusiasts, Croatia lifted its unvaccinated travel restrictions on May 1.   

Cyprus

Travel restrictions weren’t dropped until June 1, and masks are still required in many public spaces. 

The Czech Republic

The Czech Republic opened its borders on April 9. 

Denmark & Greenland

Covid restrictions were lifted on March 29 to mainland Denmark, while restrictions to Greenland weren’t lifted until a bit later, on May 18. 

Estonia

Unvaccinated travel was allowed in Estonia once again as of June 16. 

Finland

Finland was the last Northern European nation to lift its unvaccinated travel restrictions, on June 30. 

France

France and two of its territories, French Guiana and French Polynesia, lifted their restrictions on August 1. 

Germany

Unvaccinated travel was re-instated on June 11. 

Georgia

Another country right on the border between Europe and Asia, Georgia’s restrictions were lifted on June 15. 

Gibraltar

Travellers could make the trek to see the Rock of Gibraltar as of March 30. 

Greece

Greece opened for all travellers, regardless of vaccination status, for the summer in order to boost tourism, but precautions are set in place to re-instate restrictions if cases surge after September. 

Hungary

Entry requirements to this small Central European nation were lifted on March 7. 

Iceland

Restrictions were lifted in Iceland way back in February. 

Ireland

Travel restrictions, including unvaccinated travel restrictions, were lifted on March 6. 

Italy

Italians welcomed back travellers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, on June 1. 

Liechtenstein & Switzerland

Both countries reopened their borders to travellers from all countries and regions on May 2. 

Lithuania

The Republic of Lithuania lifted its restrictions on May 1. 

Madeira

Unvaccinated travellers have been able to fly directly to the Madeira islands since May 4 of this year. 

Malta

Malta had previous restrictions that required travellers to have received a booster shot no later than 3 months prior to visiting, but since July 25, no restrictions are in place. 

Moldova

No vaccination requirements have been in place since March 16. 

Norway

Norway ended its ban on unvaccinated travel on February 12. 

Poland

All restrictions were lifted on March 28. 

Portugal

Unvaccinated sun chasers can enjoy the Portuguese coast since restrictions were lifted on July 1. 

Romania

As of March 16, no Covid-19 restrictions have been in place. 

Serbia

Unvaccinated travel has been allowed in Serbia since May 3. 

Slovenia

Slovenia opened its borders to unvaccinated travellers on February 19. 

Slovakia

All requirements were dropped on April 6.

Sweden

In March 2020, travel from all countries outside the EU was banned, but borders re-opened to everyone on April 1. 

The United Kingdom

The UK eased into reopening its borders, but the final phase, allowing unvaccinated travel, was put into action on March 18. 

Kosovo

Requirements were lifted on May 1. 

Latvia

Entry requirements were dropped on April 1. 

North Macedonia

Unvaccinated travel was reintroduced on April 21. 

Montenegro

This small country, dotted with deep canyons and fjords, reopened its border to unvaccinated travellers on March 10. 

Africa

Benin

Unvaccinated has been allowed since June 16. 

Congo

Covid restrictions have been lifted since May 5. 

Egypt

Archeology buffs can once again visit the pyramids since restrictions were eased on June 17. 

Gabon

Gabon was the first African country to allow unvaccinated travel, lifting bans on March 16. 

Madagascar

The island nation reopened its borders to all on August 11. 

Rwanda

Although you may still need to provide a negative test result to enter certain areas, vaccination requirements were lifted on July 12. 

South Africa

Restrictions were eased on June 23 and unvaccinated travel is allowed once again. 

Mauritius

Restrictions were lifted on July 1. 

Sudan

There were no entry requirements to visit Sudan as of August 2. 

The Caribbean

Cuba

Visitors to Cuba don’t have to be vaccinated, but they may be subject to a random PCR test, regardless of vaccination status. 

Curacao

This island, belonging to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, lifted entry requirements on March 10. 

Bonaire

Entry requirements were lifted on April 20. 

The British Virgin Islands

No test or proof of vaccination has been required since July 15. 

The Cayman Islands

Restrictions were lifted on August 24. 

The Dominican Republic

Unvaccinated travel has been allowed since April 23, but randomized testing is still carried out. 

Aruba

Entry requirements were lifted on March 19. 

Grenada

There has been no need to show proof of vaccination since April 4. 

Jamaica

All entry requirements were lifted on April 16. 

Trinidad and Tobago

No testing has been required of travellers since July 1. 

St. Kitts and Nevis

Entry requirements were eased on August 15. 

Asia

Afghanistan

There have been no entry requirements since May 10. 

Bahrain

Entry requirements to this island nation were dropped on February 20. 

Georgia

Unvaccinated travel was welcomed back to Georgia on June 15. 

Malaysia

Restrictions to this cultural melting pot were lifted on August 1, but masks are still required for indoor spaces like hotels and concert venues. 

The Maldives

Since March 13 beachgoers could enjoy the white sands of the Maldives regardless of vaccination status. 

Mongolia

There are no entry requirements to this mountainous Asian country. 

Turkey

Unvaccinated travel was reintroduced on June 1. 

Uzbekistan

You can enter without providing proof of vaccination, but you must submit to a health screening. 

Vietnam

You do not need to provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test in order to enter the country.

Jordan

Jordan no longer requires proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test.

Kazakhstan

Many Central Asian countries have opened their borders to unvaccinated travellers, with Kazakhstan allowing unvaccinated travel on June 8. 

Kuwait

No Covid regulations have been in place since May 1.  

Kyrgyzstan

Many Central Asian countries have opened their borders to unvaccinated travellers, with Kyrgyzstan dropping theirs first on May 1. 

Oman

Restrictions were lifted on May 22. 

Saudi Arabia

Unvaccinated tourists were welcomed back to Saudi Arabia on March 6. 

Yemen

Covid restrictions were dropped on March 17. 

Central and South America

Argentina

All travellers must present proof of insurance that will cover any medical costs related to Covid-19. 

Chile

You don’t need proof of vaccination to enter Chile, but you do need insurance and may have to take a PCR test. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Covid entry requirements were dropped on May 26. 

Costa Rica

Unvaccinated travel has been allowed since April 1. 

El Salvador

Restrictions were eased on February 24. 

Guatemala

Unvaccinated travel was reintroduced on August 15. 

Australia, Israel, & Mexico

These three have also lifted their ban on unvaccinated travellers, but a health check may still be required in Mexico and you will need insurance to visit Isreal.