Going Back to Canada from China

Current as of May 18, 2022

The situation can change pretty quickly depending on the pandemic, so best to check the most recent updates on the official government site. Currently, what is required to enter Canada from China as a Canadian is:

1. You must fill in ArriveCan no more than 72 hours before departure
2. If you are fully vaccinated, you no longer need to do a pre-departure PCR test
   1. You must upload your proof of vaccination to ArriveCan and will show the ArriveCan receipt which shows an A, I or V at the border. Chinese vaccines are now accepted. You are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the second dose.
   2. Children under 12 accompanied by fully vaccinated adults do not need to do a pre-departure test or quarantine.
3. If you are not vaccinated, you may still enter if you are a Canadian citizen but need to submit a quarantine plan and be prepared to quarantine for 14 days and will need to do a PCR (nucleic acid) covid test taken no more than 72 hours before the departure of your scheduled flight to Canada, which should include, in English:
   1. Traveller name and date of birth
   2. Name and civic address of the laboratory/clinic/facility that administered the test
   3. The date on which the test was taken
   4. The type of test taken
   5. The test result

Note test results should be in English and French, and a printout and not simply the ones on your health code app since they don’t have all the required information. The following article from SmartShanghai lists testing centres in Shanghai that offer test results in English.

2. Submit your travels on ArriveCAN app or website. This is mandatory.

4. Due to the Omicron variant, there is randomly selected pcr covid testing upon arrival, which will soon be testing for everyone upon arrival. If tested, you will be required to quarantine at home while awaiting test results (1-3 days) although you can take a connecting flight upon entering Canada to your final destination.