General COVID-19 Travel Advisory in Operation

For the latest update please read the General COVID-19 Travel Advisory >

Overview

Security status

High Degree of Caution.

Latest Travel Alert

Citizens should exercise caution in any decisions about international travel, taking account of their overall health, their vaccine status, and the risk of testing positive for COVID-19 while abroad. Anyone considering travelling abroad should be aware that restrictions are subject to change at short notice, and additional restrictions may be imposed by the country of your destination, including during your visit.

Travel to Canada

Important Notes:

• All passengers to Canada should monitor all entry updates on Canada’s Government Webpage. 

• Canada is allowing entry to foreign nationals who qualify for the Fully Vaccinated Passenger Exemption.
• To qualify for the Fully Vaccinated Passenger Exemption, one must:
  • Be eligible to enter Canada on the specific date of entry;
  • Have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19;
  • Have received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of accepted vaccines;
  • Have received the last dose at least 14 days prior to the day of entering Canada;
  • Upload proof of vaccination in ArriveCan;
  • Meet all other entry requirements (for example, pre-entry test): COVID-19 vaccinated passengers entering Canada - Travel restrictions in Canada – Travel.gc.ca
• Pre-entry tests are no longer required for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada by land, air or water. Travellers must still use ArriveCan within 72 hours prior to arrival in Canada.
• Those entering Canada from the United States land border must refer to entry requirements here: COVID-19 Travel: Checklists for requirements and exemptions - Travel restrictions in Canada – Travel.gc.ca
• Mandatory random Covid-19 testing has been introduced for travellers who qualify as fully vaccinated, arriving in Canada by air to the four major Canadian airports: Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto.

Departing Canada

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required to board a plane or train in Canada.

• This change does not affect border measures that require all travellers entering Canada to continue following entry requirements, including vaccination.
•  Other public health measures, such as wearing a mask, continue to apply and will be enforced throughout a traveller’s journey on a plane or train.
•  Given the unique nature of cruise ships, including the fact that passengers are in close contact with each other for extended periods of time, vaccination against COVID-19 is still required for passengers and crew on cruise ships.
•  Adherence to strict public health requirements on cruise ships will still be required.

Full details may be sought from Canadian officials at COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders - Travel.gc.ca

If you are in Canada, you should monitor developments regularly and follow the advice of local authorities. See links to relevant websites below.

Contact Information for Public Health Authorities

Global Affairs Canada Travel Advisories

Canada’s Outbreak Update Page 

Canada’s Response to COVID-19 

Health Canada

General Travel Advice 

Irish visitors to Canada are reminded of the importance of adhering to the terms and conditions of your Canadian visa. The local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: REQUIREMENT FOR VISA-EXEMPT FOREIGN NATIONALS TRAVELLING TO CANADA BY AIR

Canada has introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or transiting through Canada. Passengers who do not require a visa to fly to Canada need to apply for an eTA.  This includes passengers travelling on an Irish passport.

Applying for an eTA is a simple, inexpensive ($7 Canadian) online process that takes minutes to complete. To apply, passengers must have a valid passport, a credit card, and an e-mail address. An eTA is electronically linked to a passenger’s passport and once approved, it is valid for 5 years or until passport expiry.

Passengers who arrive at the airport without an eTA should expect to experience delays in their travels, and may not be allowed to board their flight. For this reason, passengers should apply for their eTA before booking your flight to Canada.

For more information or to apply for an eTA, visit the following link: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html

Note:

• Beware of scam websites claiming to process eTAs. The only genuine website is the one linked above.
• As eTAs are processed in a closed loop online system, the Embassy will not be able to intervene should there be any delays or errors with your eTA application. The onus is on citizens to fill in their application correctly and to give themselves enough time to apply for the eTA in advance of travelling.

Irish-Canadian dual citizens please note carefully:

Dual citizens, who hold Canadian citizenship and citizenship from a visa-exempt country such as Ireland, cannot apply for an eTA because eTA was set up to screen foreign visitors for admissibility to enter Canada.

If you are a dual Irish-Canadian citizen you cannot apply for an eTA on your Irish passport and must enter Canada on a valid Canadian passport. You may be denied boarding if you attempt to travel using your Irish passport. 

To prepare for these changes, dual citizens are strongly encouraged to apply for a Canadian passport. This will prevent delays during travel and help ensure dual Canadian citizens are treated according to the rules that apply to Canadian citizens. 

Note:  As it can take time to get a Canadian passport, IRCC encourages Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, to renew or obtain these documents as soon as they can and before leniency period ends. Find out more about travel documents for dual Canadian citizens flying to Canada.  

Irish citizens who are permanent residents (PRs) of Canada please note carefully:

Permanent residents (PRs) of Canada are not eligible to apply for an eTA. Canadian PRs must carry and present their valid PR card or Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada or travelling to Canada on any other commercial carrier.

If your PR card expires, it does not mean you have lost permanent resident status, however it is your responsibility to apply for a new PR card when your current card expires. If you need to replace or renew your permanent resident card, make sure to plan ahead and check the processing times.

If you have lived outside of Canada for many years and are not sure whether you are still a Canadian permanent resident, see “How long must I stay in Canada to keep my permanent resident status” to review the residency requirement details.  

The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems, start by talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.

Our emergency assistance guidelines give useful information.