Everything You Need to Know to Travel to Mexico and Canada Right Now
Citing the COVID Delta variant, the Department of Homeland Security announced earlier today that they are extending land entry restrictions for Canada and Mexico until September 21st. But do these restrictions affect Americans? What about air travel? To clear up any confusion, here is a full rundown of Mexico’s and Canada’s border policies for Americans.
Entering Mexico as a US Citizen
By air or by sea, Mexico is open to travelers, whether vaccinated or not, although certain regions or resorts may have medical examinations ( however, businesses in Mazatlan require proof of vaccination or a recent negative test). Since Mexico is considered a country with a high risk of COVID – and in order to avoid unexpected troubles – travelers will want to get vaccinated before traveling anyway. Overland travel is limited to essential travel (emergency, work, medical), although proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test is not required. However, travelers entering Mexico by land may have a medical check-up, including a temperature check.
Leaving Mexico as a US citizen
By air, Americans over 2 years of age will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours or less before traveling to the United States. The U.S. Embassy says COVID test results are reliably available in Mexico. You will also want to review any additional testing and quarantine requirements in your state here .
People who have tested positive in the past three months can use a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or public health representative that says the passenger is cleared to travel. These rules do not apply to crossing the United States border by land or sea.
Please note that there is currently a high risk of contracting COVID in Mexico. For more information on Mexico’s border policy and local restrictions, visit the Mexican Embassy website , and see the CDC’s guidelines for vaccinated and unvaccinated travel.
Entering Canada as a US Citizen
By air and land, Americans (excluding children under the age of 12) may travel to Canada for non-essential travel, provided they can provide proof of vaccination at least 14 days ago and a negative COVID test (including children who 5 years and older ). You may also be randomly selected to take a COVID test upon arrival. Cruise ships are not allowed to enter Canadian waters at this time.
It is important to note that Americans must confirm their vaccination status prior to arriving at the border using a verification portal called ArriveCAN . Once you enter your information, you will be issued a receipt to show to the Canadian border agents upon arrival. You may also be asked if you have a quarantine plan in case you test positive for COVID and have to stay for another two weeks.
Leaving Canada as a US Citizen
All American air passengers arriving in the United States, including those who are fully vaccinated, must test negative for COVID-19 no more than three days prior to travel, or documents of convalescence before they board a flight back to the United States. States.
By land, Americans are free to cross the border as returning home is considered an “important journey” (under today’s expanded border restrictions, Canadians still cannot cross the land border for non-essential travel). Trains to Canada are not currently running , but there are plans to make it available to vaccinated travelers. Visit the US Embassy page for more information on travel to Canada.