Ottawa, Ontario
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) welcomed into Canada more than one million travellers last week (April 11 to 17), the first time travel volumes have been this high since the start of the pandemic two years ago.
This spring and summer, travellers are returning to a border that is managed differently with new requirements, which can mean delays during peak periods. The CBSA is working to mitigate long border wait times but there are also things that travellers can do to make the process easier for themselves and other travellers.
Travellers can do their part to reduce wait times by always coming prepared with their passport (or other acceptable identification) and by completing their mandatory ArriveCAN submission, including their COVID-19 vaccination information, within 72 hours before arriving at the border.
The CBSA invests significant effort annually to plan and prepare for various peak periods. Analysis of projected trends is used to inform resource planning and ensure alignment to service needs. The CBSA has also established modern processes to improve the traveller experience and manage volumes, like the International-to-Domestic and the International-to-International programs that significantly decrease connection times, as well as the Primary Inspection Kiosks and the free ArriveCAN App and website.
As COVID-19 public health measures continue to evolve, the CBSA invites travellers to keep abreast of all requirements by consulting the Government of Canada COVID travel and borders website.
