York Quarantine Information

Please avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada

As you probably know, the Government of Canada has a global travel advisory against all non-essential travel until further notice to limit the spread of COVID-19. We understand that this is a difficult time for many students who are missing home and their families, however, we recommend you avoid travel if at all possible.

Your decision to travel must also factor in that travel restrictions are changing quickly and may be imposed by countries with little advance notice. This means that you run the risk of remaining outside of Canada longer than expected.

IRCC offers the following reminders and suggestions concerning travellers departing Canada at this time:

It's important to remember that if you choose to travel abroad:

• your trip may become much longer than you planned
• you may have reduced access to quality health care
• you could be subject to the measures of other countries

If you're still considering travel outside of Canada, you should:

• understand the risks to your safety and security abroad
• check the pandemic travel health notice before travelling
• know the health risks and travel restrictions and requirements for your destination
• make sure you have enough money and necessities, including medication, in case your travel is disrupted

If you must travel abroad and return please take note of the following

1. York University does not issue any documentation to students seeking to depart the country. It is your responsibility to check with your airline(s) and the country you are traveling to regarding any required documentation or other actions necessary for travel and entry to your destination.
2. Check the travel restrictions again before you plan to return to Canada as they may change at any time. Please keep yourself up to date on relevant news on the coronavirus and travel advisories and restrictions both in Canada and in your home country.
   • York University Coronavirus Information and Updates
   • York International FAQs for International Students about COVID-19
   • York Quarantine Info page
   • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
   • IRCC information regarding student travel restrictions and exemptions
   • Government of Canada Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
3. Decide where you will quarantine when you return to Canada.Whether you stay in the accommodations organized by York or organize your own, please complete and submit the required paperwork at least two weeks before you travel or as soon as possible.  
   • For off-campus accommodations arranged by York University, please fill out the Quarantine Accommodation Form.
     

     York will help students returning from international travel over the break to make arrangements for quarantine.  Students will be responsible for paying for these accommodations.  The cost for the 14-day quarantine in an off-campus hotel will be roughly $1220 including taxes and includes a room with an individual bathroom and three meals each day.  Any additional meals/food/water and supplies will be an additional cost.

   • If you choose to quarantine at a location of your choice, please prepare a quarantine plan that explains how your quarantine accommodations meet all federal requirements and submit it when you fill out the Self-arranged Quarantine Plan Form. Keep a copy of this plan for yourself as you will be required to present it to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at your port of entry.  Click here for more detailed information about Canadian quarantine requirements.
4. Download the ArriveCan mobile app. According to IRCC, as of November 21, 2020 travellers entering Canada by air are required to provide mandatory travel and quarantine information using the ArriveCAN app, which includes:
   • Travel and contact information
   • Quarantine plan (you will need to answer 4 yes/no questions)
   • COVID-19 symptom self-assessment (both before you board your plane and each day of your 14 day quarantine)
   • IMPORTANT: You must submit the ArriveCAN information before you board your flight to Canada (we recommend at least 48 hours in advance) and you must confirm you’ve arrived at the address you provided for your quarantine location with 48 hours of your entry to Canada. Travellers who fail to submit the required information digitally before boarding their flight could be subject to enforcement action, which can range from verbal warnings to a $1,000 fine. 
   • Please review this website carefully to follow all instructions related to using the ArriveCAN app.
5. Gather documents in preparation for your arrival to Toronto
   • If you choose to quarantine at off-campus accommodations arranged by York University, we are providing the required documentation for student entry to Canada in order of arrival dates, and usually about one week before travel.
     • We will send you a copy of your quarantine plan to present at the airport, along with a list of recommended and required documentation.
     •   You can request an entry support letter to Canada when you complete the Quarantine Accommodation Form.  
     • If you do not receive an e-mail from us within one week of your arrival date, please contact iadvisor@yorku.ca and mark the subject line “Urgent – Traveling to Toronto on [DATE]”.
   • If you choose to quarantine at a location of your choice
     • You must present a copy of your quarantine plan that meets IRCC’s requirements at the border. Click here for more detailed information about Canadian quarantine requirements.
     • Request an entry support letter here.

ARRIVAL INFORMATION  

According to IRCC, when the border services officer greets you, they look at several factors, including:

• your reason for travelling to Canada
• your ability to complete a 14-day quarantine period as soon as you arrive at your final destination
• If traveling on or after November 21, 2020, you will be asked to show your ArriveCAN receipt to a border services officer when seeking entry to Canada
• if you either:
  • have time to complete your quarantine before you physically attend classes, or
  • can study online during your quarantine

YOU MUST BRING

• a valid study permit or a port of entry letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit
• Either  letter of acceptance (new students only) and/or a letter of enrolment,
• Proof of financial support (as  many documents as possible) - that you have enough money to support yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
• Your quarantine plan information
  • **If your quarantine accommodations are being arranged by York University, you will receive an electronic copy of the plan before your travel date.
  • **If you are arranging your own quarantine accommodations, you need to file your copy with the University through the self-arranged quarantine plan form. Please note that it is up to the student to ensure that their plan meets Canadian quarantine requirements.

Before you travel, you can contact the Border Information Service for more information.

A border services officer will make the final decision on whether you’re eligible to enter Canada when you arrive.

If you are not permitted entry to Canada, the quarantine documentation provided to you by York will contain an emergency contact number to speak with a designated member of York International to determine what, if anything, can be done. That said, please note that the final decision on whether you're eligible to enter Canada lies with the border services officer.

For questions regarding international travel and general international student well-being, please email iadvisor@yorku.ca. 

Beginning October 20, 2020, Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that international students are exempt from travel restrictions and are able to travel to Canada for their studies if they meet all requirements and have all authorizations for travel.

According to these current travel restrictions, to enter Canada as a student, you must meet 2 requirements:

1. You must have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit.*
2. You must be attending a designated learning institution (DLI) with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by its province or territory.**

*Stage 1 approval/AIP does not count as final approval.

**York University is very pleased to let you know that our plan has been approved by provincial authorities and that we may now begin to welcome new and returning international students to the York community. For the Winter 2021 term, the University is offering a full selection of academic programming using primarily online/remote learning, with select in-person instruction. 

CURRENT TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS AND AUTHORIZATIONS 

If the current travel restrictions remain in place, please note the following information and steps before you make your travel plans.

1. Travellers arriving in Canada must quarantine for 14 days and comply with all requirements of the quarantine measures under the Quarantine Act.  
2. You must have a valid study permit or final study permit approval to travel to Canada.  If you only have an approval in principal/first-stage approval, you cannot yet travel. There is no longer a date requirement for your study permit approval for travel. Please check IRCC for eligibility to travel and your local Visa Application Centre.  Your ability to travel will also be dependent on your local/regional/national requirements.
3. In order to travel to Canada, you must not have any symptoms of COVID-19. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO 

1. Read the Government of Canada’s quarantine requirements and information.   
2. Ensure you are eligible to travel to Canada under the current Canadian travel restrictions.     
3. Tell us what your travel plans are once your flight is booked via the International Student Travel to Canada form. Please submit this at least 2 weeks prior to your departure date.
4. Decide where you will quarantine. Whether you stay in the accommodations organized by York or organize your own, please complete and submit the required paperwork at least two weeks before you travel or as soon as possible.  
   • For off-campus accommodations arranged by York University, please fill out the Quarantine Accommodation Form. Please note that for newly arriving students, the University is covering the costs associated with the quarantine accommodations. If you are a returning student, meaning you are currently in Canada, and then traveling abroad at your discretion, York can still help you arrange your accommodations, however, you will be responsible for all costs associated with this.
   • If you choose to quarantine at a location of your choice, please prepare a quarantine plan that explains how your quarantine accommodations meet all federal requirements and submit it when you fill out the Self-arranged Quarantine Plan Form. Keep a copy of this plan for yourself as you will be required to present it to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at your port of entry.  Click here for more detailed information about Canadian quarantine requirements.
5. Download the ArriveCan mobile app. According to IRCC, as of November 21, 2020 travellers entering Canada by air are required to provide mandatory travel and quarantine information using the ArriveCAN app, which includes:
   • Travel and contact information
   • Quarantine plan (you will need to answer 4 yes/no questions)
   • COVID-19 symptom self-assessment (both before you board your plane and each day of your 14 day quarantine)
   • IMPORTANT: You must submit the ArriveCAN information before you board your flight to Canada (we recommend at least 48 hours in advance) and you must confirm you’ve arrived at the address you provided for your quarantine location with 48 hours of your entry to Canada. Travellers who fail to submit the required information digitally before boarding their flight could be subject to enforcement action, which can range from verbal warnings to a $1,000 fine. 
   • Please review this website carefully to follow all instructions related to using the ArriveCAN app.
6. Gather documents in preparation for your arrival to Toronto
   • If you choose to quarantine at off-campus accommodations arranged by York University, we are providing the required documentation for student entry to Canada in order of arrival dates.
     • We will send you a copy of your quarantine plan to present at the airport, along with a list of recommended and required documentation.
     •   You can request an entry support letter to Canada when you complete the Quarantine Accommodation Form.  
     • If you do not receive an e-mail from us within one week of your arrival date, please contact iadvisor@yorku.ca and mark the subject line “Urgent – Traveling to Toronto on [DATE]”.
   • If you choose to quarantine at a location of your choice
     • You must present a copy of your quarantine plan that meets IRCC’s requirements at the border. Click here for more detailed information about Canadian quarantine requirements.
     • Request an entry support letter here.

ARRIVAL INFORMATION  

According to IRCC, when the border services officer greets you, they look at several factors, including:

• your reason for travelling to Canada
• your ability to complete a 14-day quarantine period as soon as you arrive at your final destination
• If traveling on or after November 21, 2020, you will be asked to show your ArriveCAN receipt to a border services officer when seeking entry to Canada
• if you either:
  • have time to complete your quarantine before you physically attend classes, or
  • can study online during your quarantine

YOU MUST BRING

• a valid study permit or a port of entry letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit
• Either  letter of acceptance (new students only) and/or a letter of enrolment,
• Proof of financial support (as  many documents as possible) - that you have enough money to support yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
• Your quarantine plan information
  • **If your quarantine accommodations are being arranged by York University, you will receive an electronic copy of the plan before your travel date.
  • **If you are arranging your own quarantine accommodations, you need to file your copy with the University through the self-arranged quarantine plan form. Please note that it is up to the student to ensure that their plan meets Canadian quarantine requirements.

Before you travel, you can contact the Border Information Service for more information.

A border services officer will make the final decision on whether you’re eligible to enter Canada when you arrive.

If you are not permitted entry to Canada, the quarantine documentation provided to you by York will contain an emergency contact number to speak with a designated member of York International to determine what, if anything, can be done. That said, please note that the final decision on whether you're eligible to enter Canada lies with the border services officer.

Even if you are exempt as of the date of reading this information, please check the travel restrictions again before you plan to return to Canada as they may change at any time. 

Please keep yourself up to date on relevant news on the coronavirus and travel advisories and restrictions both in Canada and in your home country.

• York University Coronavirus Information and Updates
• York International FAQs for International Students about COVID-19
• York Quarantine Info page
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• IRCC information regarding student travel restrictions and exemptions
• Government of Canada Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

If you have any questions, you can contact one of our immigration specialists at York International, or through Schulich School of Business International Relations for Schulich students.

Yes. The fact that your studies are online do not prevent your entry to Canada. However, you must ensure that you meet the requirements indicated in the current travel restrictions, as explained below.

Beginning October 20, 2020, Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that international students are exempt from travel restrictions and are able to travel to Canada for their studies if they meet all requirements and have all authorizations for travel.

According to these current travel restrictions, to enter Canada as a student, you must meet 2 requirements:

1. You must have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit.*
2. You must be attending a designated learning institution (DLI) with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by its province or territory.**

*Stage 1 approval/AIP does not count as final approval.

**York University is very pleased to let you know that our plan has been approved by provincial authorities and that we may now begin to welcome new and returning international students to the York community. For the Winter 2021 term, the University is offering a full selection of academic programming using primarily online/remote learning, with select in-person instruction. 

CURRENT TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS AND AUTHORIZATIONS 

If the current travel restrictions remain in place, please note the following information and steps before you make your travel plans.

1. Travellers arriving in Canada must quarantine for 14 days and comply with all requirements of the quarantine measures under the Quarantine Act.  
2. You must have a valid study permit or final study permit approval to travel to Canada.  If you only have an approval in principal/first-stage approval, you cannot yet travel. There is no longer a date requirement for your study permit approval for travel. Please check IRCC for eligibility to travel and your local Visa Application Centre.  Your ability to travel will also be dependent on your local/regional/national requirements.
3. In order to travel to Canada, you must not have any symptoms of COVID-19. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO 

1. Read the Government of Canada’s quarantine requirements and information.   
2. Ensure you are eligible to travel to Canada under the current Canadian travel restrictions.     
3. Tell us what your travel plans are once your flight is booked via the International Student Travel to Canada form. Please submit this at least 2 weeks prior to your departure date.
4. Decide where you will quarantine. Whether you stay in the accommodations organized by York or organize your own, please complete and submit the required paperwork at least two weeks before you travel or as soon as possible.  
   • For off-campus accommodations arranged by York University, please fill out the Quarantine Accommodation Form. Please note that for newly arriving students, the University is covering the costs associated with the quarantine accommodations. If you are a returning student, meaning you are currently in Canada, and then traveling abroad at your discretion, York can still help you arrange your accommodations, however, you will be responsible for all costs associated with this.
   • If you choose to quarantine at a location of your choice, please prepare a quarantine plan that explains how your quarantine accommodations meet all federal requirements and submit it when you fill out the Self-arranged Quarantine Plan Form. Keep a copy of this plan for yourself as you will be required to present it to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at your port of entry.  Click here for more detailed information about Canadian quarantine requirements.
5. Download the ArriveCan mobile app. According to IRCC, as of November 21, 2020 travellers entering Canada by air are required to provide mandatory travel and quarantine information using the ArriveCAN app, which includes:
   • Travel and contact information
   • Quarantine plan (you will need to answer 4 yes/no questions)
   • COVID-19 symptom self-assessment (both before you board your plane and each day of your 14 day quarantine)
   • IMPORTANT: You must submit the ArriveCAN information before you board your flight to Canada (we recommend at least 48 hours in advance) and you must confirm you’ve arrived at the address you provided for your quarantine location with 48 hours of your entry to Canada. Travellers who fail to submit the required information digitally before boarding their flight could be subject to enforcement action, which can range from verbal warnings to a $1,000 fine. 
   • Please review this website carefully to follow all instructions related to using the ArriveCAN app.
6. Gather documents in preparation for your arrival to Toronto
   • If you choose to quarantine at off-campus accommodations arranged by York University, we are providing the required documentation for student entry to Canada in order of arrival dates.
     • We will send you a copy of your quarantine plan to present at the airport, along with a list of recommended and required documentation.
     •   You can request an entry support letter to Canada when you complete the Quarantine Accommodation Form.  
     • If you do not receive an e-mail from us within one week of your arrival date, please contact iadvisor@yorku.ca and mark the subject line “Urgent – Traveling to Toronto on [DATE]”.
   • If you choose to quarantine at a location of your choice
     • You must present a copy of your quarantine plan that meets IRCC’s requirements at the border. Click here for more detailed information about Canadian quarantine requirements.
     • Request an entry support letter here.

ARRIVAL INFORMATION  

According to IRCC, when the border services officer greets you, they look at several factors, including:

• your reason for travelling to Canada
• your ability to complete a 14-day quarantine period as soon as you arrive at your final destination
• If traveling on or after November 21, 2020, you will be asked to show your ArriveCAN receipt to a border services officer when seeking entry to Canada
• if you either:
  • have time to complete your quarantine before you physically attend classes, or
  • can study online during your quarantine

YOU MUST BRING

• a valid study permit or a port of entry letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit
• Either  letter of acceptance (new students only) and/or a letter of enrolment,
• Proof of financial support (as  many documents as possible) - that you have enough money to support yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
• Your quarantine plan information
  • **If your quarantine accommodations are being arranged by York University, you will receive an electronic copy of the plan before your travel date.
  • **If you are arranging your own quarantine accommodations, you need to file your copy with the University through the self-arranged quarantine plan form. Please note that it is up to the student to ensure that their plan meets Canadian quarantine requirements.

Before you travel, you can contact the Border Information Service for more information.

A border services officer will make the final decision on whether you’re eligible to enter Canada when you arrive.

If you are not permitted entry to Canada, the quarantine documentation provided to you by York will contain an emergency contact number to speak with a designated member of York International to determine what, if anything, can be done. That said, please note that the final decision on whether you're eligible to enter Canada lies with the border services officer.

Even if you are exempt as of the date of reading this information, please check the travel restrictions again before you plan to return to Canada as they may change at any time. 

Please keep yourself up to date on relevant news on the coronavirus and travel advisories and restrictions both in Canada and in your home country.

• York University Coronavirus Information and Updates
• York International FAQs for International Students about COVID-19
• York Quarantine Info page
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• IRCC information regarding student travel restrictions and exemptions
• Government of Canada Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

If you have any questions, you can contact one of our immigration specialists at York International, or through Schulich School of Business International Relations for Schulich students.

York has quarantine accommodations available for students arriving in Canada from international locations, as noted above. If you will be arriving in Canada and are looking to quarantine in our designated York location between December 24, 2020 – January 9, 2021, you must make your request by December 1, 2020.

Yes, York has arranged off-campus hotel quarantine accommodation for York students arriving in Canada for the Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 semesters.

You must be able to travel to Canada according to IRCC’s guidelines for exemptions to travel restrictions. If you do not meet these guidelines, you should not travel to Canada right now.

According to these current travel restrictions, to enter Canada as a student, you must meet 2 requirements:

1. You must have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit.*
2. You must be attending a designated learning institution (DLI) with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by its province or territory.**

*Stage 1 approval/AIP does not count as final approval.

**York University is very pleased to let you know that our plan has been approved by provincial authorities and that we may now begin to welcome new and returning international students to the York community. For the Winter 2021 term, the University is offering a full selection of academic programming using primarily online/remote learning, with select in-person instruction.

Upon entry to Canada, you must complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine. For more information on quarantine requirements, please read IRCC’s guidelines.

For off-campus accommodations arranged by York University, please fill out the Quarantine Accommodation Form at least two weeks before your travel or as soon as possible.

For students who were not in Canada in the fall term and are coming/returning to their studies, York is covering the costs associated with the quarantine accommodations.

For students who were in Canada in the fall term, and then left at your own discretion, York can still help you arrange your accommodations, however, you will be responsible for all costs associated with this. The cost for the 14-day quarantine in an off-campus hotel will be roughly $1220 including taxes and includes a room with an individual bathroom and three meals each day.  Any additional meals/food/water and supplies will be an additional cost. Note that if you are living in York Undergraduate Residences, York Apartments or the Quad, you will not be able to quarantine in your on-campus residence.

York will help students returning from international travel over the break to make arrangements for quarantine.  Students will be responsible for paying for these accommodations.  The cost for the 14-day quarantine in an off-campus hotel will be roughly $1220 including taxes and includes a room with an individual bathroom and three meals each day.  Any additional meals/food/water and supplies will be an additional cost.

If you are in the School of Continuing Studies, please contact them directly at regscs@yorku.ca.

PREPARING FOR YOUR TRAVELS

1. Download the ArriveCan mobile app. According to IRCC, as of November 21, 2020 travellers entering Canada by air are required to provide mandatory travel and quarantine information using the ArriveCAN app, which includes:
   • Travel and contact information
   • Quarantine plan (you will need to answer 4 yes/no questions)
   • COVID-19 symptom self-assessment (both before you board your plane and each day of your 14 day quarantine)
   • ***You must submit this information before you board your flight to Canada. Travellers who fail to submit the required information digitally before boarding their flight could be subject to enforcement action, which can range from verbal warnings to a $1,000 fine. 
   • Please review this website carefully to follow all instructions related to using the ArriveCAN app.
2. Gather documents in preparation for your arrival to Toronto
   • If you choose to quarantine at off-campus accommodations arranged by York University, we are providing the required documentation for student entry to Canada in order of arrival dates.
     • We will send you a copy of your quarantine plan to present at the airport, along with a list of recommended and required documentation.
     •   You can request an entry support letter to Canada when you complete the Quarantine Accommodation Form.  
     • If you do not receive an e-mail from us within one week of your arrival date, please contact iadvisor@yorku.ca and mark the subject line “Urgent – Traveling to Toronto on [DATE]”.

ARRIVAL INFORMATION  

According to IRCC, when the border services officer greets you, they look at several factors, including:

• your reason for travelling to Canada
• your ability to complete a 14-day quarantine period as soon as you arrive at your final destination
• If traveling on or after November 21, 2020, you will be asked to show your ArriveCAN receipt to a border services officer when seeking entry to Canada
• if you either:
  • have time to complete your quarantine before you physically attend classes, or
  • can study online during your quarantine

YOU MUST BRING

• a valid study permit or a port of entry letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit
• Either  letter of acceptance (new students only) and/or a letter of enrolment,
• Proof of financial support (as  many documents as possible) - that you have enough money to support yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
• Your quarantine plan information
  • **If your quarantine accommodations are being arranged by York University, you will receive an electronic copy of the plan approximately one week before your travel date.

Before you travel, you can contact the Border Information Service for more information.

A border services officer will make the final decision on whether you’re eligible to enter Canada when you arrive.

If you are not permitted entry to Canada, the quarantine documentation provided to you by York will contain an emergency contact number to speak with a designated member of York International to determine what, if anything, can be done. That said, please note that the final decision on whether you're eligible to enter Canada lies with the border services officer.

For full details on what is required of international travellers arriving in Canada for the mandatory 14-day quarantine, please read IRCC’s guidelines on quarantine.