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IMPORTANT: As of January 15, 2022, students 18 years and older must meet the criteria of a fully vaccinated traveller with the required doses of Health Canada or WHO-approved vaccines to enter Canada. Students under the age of 18 who are not fully vaccinated will be permitted to enter Canada, but must quarantine.
Please review our University of Toronto COVID-19 Quarantine Guide for Students as you prepare your travel plans. Note: There are important changes to the quarantine requirements noted in the text below.
Fully vaccinated travellers may be eligible for exemption from the 14 day quarantine requirement; however, all travellers except those arriving directly from the US, will be required to be tested on arrival and isolate until they have received results. Please refer to the Government of Canada’s information for vaccinated travellers and quarantine exemption. A quarantine plan is still required. As of Nov. 30 2021, the following vaccines are accepted by the Government of Canada for travel: Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2), Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273), AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria, COVISHIELD, ChAdOx1-S, AZD1222), Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S), Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C), Sinopharm BIBP (BBIBP-CorV) and Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc).
You will still be required to show a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to your flight to Canada and take a COVID-19 test upon arrival.
NOTE: The vaccine requirement for entry into Canada is different than the vaccine requirements to be considered fully vaccinated in Ontario and under the University’s vaccine guideline. If you have a non-Health Canada approved vaccine, you must obtain one mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) dose or have received 3 doses of a non-Health Canada to be considered fully vaccinated under the government guidance and the University’s guideline.
Information on this page may change to reflect new government regulations. Changes will be marked as updated with a corresponding date stamp.
Safe Travels!
If you’re applying for a study permit, you should apply online, whether you’re outside Canada or already in Canada. The International Student Centres on all three campuses have many resources on applying for study permits.
St. George Centre for International Experience | isa.cie@utoronto.ca
UTSC International Student Centre | isc.utsc@utoronto.ca
UTM International Education Centre | international.utm@utoronto.ca
Once you have your approval for a study permit and are preparing to enter Canada, please carefully review the information on requirements for entering Canada on the FAQ For International Students: Entry to Canada & Pre-Arrival or the FAQ For Newly Admitted International Students.
Before booking your flight or driving to Canada, be sure to check for the most up to date information on travel restrictions, testing requirements and quarantine. If you are driving to Canada, you can consult the Canadian Border Services Agency as well for additional information.
There are COVID-19 testing and vaccination requirements that must be met in order to enter Canada by air or by land. Until January, 15, 2022, partially or unvaccinated international students may be permitted to enter Canada and then complete a mandatory quarantine. After January 15, 2022, international students over the age of 18 years must be vaccinated according to the fully vaccinated traveller requirements before entering Canada.
Travellers must also be fully vaccinated for all air and rail travel within Canada. Note that the vaccine requirements for those staying in Canada to work or study is different than for travellers entering the country and visiting for a short period. The vaccine requirements for those staying in Canada include a dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) for those with non-Health Canada approved vaccines.
The University of Toronto offers a choice of three quarantine accommodation programs. The “Backup Program” for students eligible for a quarantine exemption as per the Government of Canada, “At-Home” program for students who have their own suitable location in which to quarantine and the “Full program”.
Students seeking an exemption due to vaccination status should still register with the U of T Quarantine Program.
All students arriving by air or land must register for a University of Toronto Quarantine Program seven (7) days prior to arrival in Canada. Register for the U of T 14-day quarantine program through StarRez.
You will be asked to show proof of a quarantine plan at point of entry when your request for an exemption will be considered. You will be required to provide confirmation that you are eligible to request an exemption from the quarantine program by providing a screenshot of the ArriveCan application data. If you do not provide this confirmation and are required to quarantine, we may not be able to accommodate you in the full program.
As part of the At-Home program, students will receive:
If you choose the At Home program but need to book a place for your quarantine, please refer to the list of available options.
As part of the Full program, the University will provide:
If you will be requesting an exemption from quarantine upon arrival to Canada do not register in the Full program. Please register in the Backup program otherwise cancellation charges may be incurred.
As part of the Back Up program:
All students arriving by air or land must register for a University of Toronto Quarantine Program seven (7) days prior to arrival in Canada. Register for the U of T 14-day quarantine program through StarRez.
With some limited exceptions, the University is covering the costs for students in the U of T Quarantine Programs. Find details about cancellation fees, exceptions and more at StarRez.
Spaces for arrivals in the FULL quarantine program are limited. Priority will be given to First year undergraduate students and residence students (any year of study) are eligible to register for arrivals in January.
The Government of Canada requires that all students arriving by air or land complete the following tasks within 72 hours prior to arrival.
Proof of a negative result is required to enter Canada. A list of accepted types of tests is available on the Government of Canada website.
Download the Government of Canada’s ArriveCAN app (iOS or Android) use their accessible web app to provide your travel and mandatory quarantine plan information required for entry into Canada. The app allows you to easily and securely submit the necessary information within 48 hours before arriving in Canada, speeding up the arrival process. If you cannot use any of these options, you can still provide the information upon arrival. You will be required to show evidence of your quarantine plan to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) upon arrival.
Students should bring at least 14-days of any medication they will need during the quarantine period. Remember to keep all medication and key documents with you in your carry-on bag. Find more tips on planning your travel to Canada.
This test is in addition to having a negative test result within 72 hours prior to arrival. Fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air will be subject to arrival testing and be required to isolate while they await the results of their arrival test. Fully vaccinated travellers arriving directly from the US may be exempted from this requirement.
Unvaccinated travellers, with right of entry to Canada until January 15, 2022, will continue to be tested on arrival and day 8 and quarantine for 14 days. Those arriving by air will be required to stay in a designated quarantine facility or other suitable location while they await the result of their on-arrival test.
Check the Government of Canada website for more details on COVID-19 arrival testing for travellers.
You will be contacted by U of T’s Health and Wellness to complete a daily health check.
Additionally, travellers who are fully vaccinated with a Canadian Government accepted vaccine (Pfizer(Comirnaty), Moderna (Spikevax), AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria,COVISHIELD, and/or Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)) may be exempt from the 14-day quarantine period, and the day-8 testing. As of November 30 at 3:01am, EST, those fully vaccinated with Bharat Biotech (Covaxin), Sinopharm/Covilo (Beijing), Sinovac (CoronaVac) may also be except from the 14-day quarantine period. See details at the Government of Canada website.
The University of Toronto provides transportation to the Full U of T quarantine program location for students who have arrived at the Toronto Pearson International Airport. You will be provided with details on how to confirm your transportation pick up.
As a fully-vaccinated traveller driving from the United States, you may only require an arrival test as part of a randomized testing program.
As an unvaccinated traveller, you are required to undergo full 14-day quarantine including on arrival and Day 8 testing, unless exempt.
Check the Government of Canada website for more details on COVID-19 arrival testing for travellers.
You must follow the 14-day quarantine requirements established by the Government of Canada per the emergency order under the Quarantine Act.
You will be contacted by U of T’s Health and Wellness to complete a daily health check.
OR
If you have registered for the Full program, location details will be provided directly to you.
Fully vaccinated travellers many be eligible for exemption from the 14 day quarantine requirement; however, travellers arriving from elsewhere other than directly from the US, will be required to be tested on arrival and isolate until they have received results. Please refer to the Government of Canada’s information for vaccinated travellers and quarantine exemption. A quarantine plan is still required. As of Nov. 30 2021, the following vaccines are accepted by the Government of Canada for travel: Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2), Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273), AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria, COVISHIELD, ChAdOx1-S, AZD1222), Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S), Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C), Sinopharm BIBP (BBIBP-CorV) and Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc).
You must follow the quarantine requirements established by the Government of Canada per the emergency order under the Quarantine Act.
Learn about self-care during quarantine: Guide on Self-Isolation & Staying Physically Healthy (PDF)
Before leaving the airport/land border crossing, travellers are provided with a COVID-19 test kit or instructions for taking their test later during their mandatory 14-day quarantine period. Please refer to the Switch Health website for more information. While in quarantine, you must complete your Switch Health COVID-19 at-home test kit. Please follow the instructions given to you at the airport/land border crossing regarding this test.
As part of the enforcement of the Quarantine Act, a Quarantine Compliance Officer, at the direction of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, will make random visits to those in quarantine. These check-ins are simply meant to ensure that you are meeting the mandatory 14-day quarantine requirements. A check-in by police does not indicate that you have committed a crime or are in violation of the Quarantine Act. Click here for more information and an official statement by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Your academic division will be communicating specific programming for you, and we will also be offering online activities for you to participate in.
If you have a question or concern, please email your quarantine residence life team at at students.quarantine@utoronto.ca or the main quarantine email info.quarantine@utoronto.ca.
Before your quarantine ends you will receive a pre-departure email. Please read it carefully and make plans for your departure.
Avoid scams: Fraudulent calls – U of T has been made aware of several scams that are targeting students. Please note that Canadian Government officials WILL NOT contact you directly and demand money in exchange for securing your Canadian status or request currencies such as Bitcoin. In addition, the Canadian Revenue Agency or Service Canada will NEVER request a payment by e-transfer, online currency such as bitcoin or pre-paid credit cards. For more information, please see the links below:
UTSG: https://studentlife.utoronto.ca/news/avoid-scams-targeting-students/
UTSC: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/utscinternational/scams-targeting-international-students
UTM: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/international/fraud-alert
Campus Safety: https://www.campussafety.utoronto.ca/hit-pause-on-fraud
You must quarantine for a minimum of 14 days and have a negative test result from the Day 8 self-administered COVID-19 test.
Students in the Full program will receive a pre-departure email before the quarantine ends. Please read it carefully and make plans for your departure.
Students in the At Home program will need to complete their final wellness check-in with the University in order to leave their quarantine space.
Transportation to your Permanent Address/Residence
You are responsible for finding your own transportation to your new/permanent address and/or University residence.
If the quarantine period ends before your residence or off-campus housing move-in date, you may be able to pay a fee to remain at the quarantine location until you are able to move into residence (note that a room change may be required). As per Ontario Public Health requirements, you must receive a negative test COVID-19 test result prior to coming on campus. To confirm that space is available to extend your stay, contact info.quarantine@utoronto.ca.
Obtain your mRNA vaccine to comply with the University of Toronto’s Vaccination Guideline. See the UTogether Vaccine website for information on where to obtain this dose.
Welcome to U of T!
Public Health Resources for You
Questions about COVID-19 in Canada? Here are some resources that you can check out.
StarRez quarantine program (Full and At Home) application
Covid 19 Quarantine Information for U of T students from the University of Toronto (OVPS)
Quarantine Accommodation Options for campus community members who may require a place to quarantine when arriving in Toronto.
Food/Essentials Delivery Options for students in quarantine.