As governments and industry continue to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, both the U.S. and Canada have adopted vaccination requirements for cross border travellers, including truck drivers.
U.S. Drivers Entering Canada
As of January 15, 2022, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated foreign national truck drivers, coming to Canada from the US by land, will be directed back to the United States. To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller and to enter Canada, foreign national truck drivers must:
- Have received at least two doses of a vaccine accepted for travel, a mix of two accepted vaccines (or at least one dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine).
- Have received their second dose at least 14 full days before they enter Canada.
- Have submitted all required COVID-19 information into ArriveCAN.
Please note any individual who is symptomatic upon arrival to Canada will be directed to a Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) official and will be directed to isolate for 10 days from the time symptoms first occurred. The final decision regarding entry and quarantine is made by a government representative at the port of entry, based on the information presented to them at the time.
More details about the COVID vaccine requirements is available on the Public Health Agency of Canada website.
Foreign Drivers Entering the U.S.
As of January 22, 2022, at 12:01 a.m. (local time), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will require non-U.S. individuals seeking entry into the U.S. through land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination.
These new restrictions will apply to non-U.S. individuals who are traveling for both essential and non-essential reasons. They will not apply to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents or U.S. nationals.
Non-U.S. individuals traveling to the U.S. via land ports of entry or ferry terminals, whether for essential or non-essential reasons, must:
- Verbally attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status.
- Provide proof of a CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccination, as outlined on the CDC website.
- Present a valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document, such as a valid passport, Trusted Traveler Program card, or Enhanced Tribal Card.
- Be prepared to present any other relevant documents requested by a CBP officer during a border inspection.
More details about the COVID vaccine requirement for non-U.S. citizens entering the U.S. at land border ports of entry and ferry terminals, see this DHS fact sheet.