Canada Border Services Clarifies Arrival Rules at Land Border

Canadians returning home even after a day trip are expected to use the ArriveCan app

In an email, CBSA Media Relations spokesperson Isabelle Vigneault says "the Canada Border Services Agency  would like to reiterate that the use of ArriveCAN has been mandatory for land travellers since February 2021 and for air travellers since November 2020. This has not changed with the adjustment of testing requirements for short trips."

The email goes on to say "ArriveCAN collects complete contact, health and travel information to protect the health and safety of travellers and expedites processing. All travellers entering Canada must submit their information into ArriveCAN within 72 hours before arriving in Canada."

Vigneault adds "If officers encounter travellers who were unaware of the mandatory use of ArriveCAN, they will help them to the extent possible for that passage and ensure to inform travellers that future passages will require ArriveCAN. Border services officers can help land travellers comply with the requirement to submit their information digitally by allowing the traveller to return to the U.S. to take the time to complete the ArriveCAN form and re-enter Canada after submitting it. Also, where operations make it possible to do so, they can allow the traveller to complete their ArriveCAN submission upon arrival at ports of entry."

Yesterday, Canada's Public Safety Minister told the House of Commons he had given new instructions to border officials to allow people to provide their travel details in person.

Mark Medicino was quoted saying "With regards to ArriveCan, I want to assure my colleagues that I've spoken with t(he Canada Border Services Agency) so that there's additional guidance to provide the opportunity for travellers to provide the information that is necessary on ArriveCan in person at the borders,"