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COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders

Return or travel to canada.

For all travellers entering Canada by air, land or marine mode:

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not required
• Pre-board testing is not required
• COVID-19 pre-entry and arrival tests are not required
• Quarantine after you enter Canada is not required
• to save time at the border, you can use Advance Declaration in ArriveCAN to submit your customs and immigration declaration before flying into Canada
• Pre-boarding tests for cruise passengers are not required
• As always, travel documents are required
• Health checks to board planes and trains are not required
• It's strongly recommended that you wear a well-constructed and well-fitted mask or respirator while you travel

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 , you shouldn't travel to Canada.

If you feel sick or experience any symptoms of COVID-19 during your travel to Canada or upon arrival, you should:

• inform the flight attendant, cruise staff or a border services officer upon arrival. You may be referred to a Quarantine Officer for a health assessment and further direction.
• avoid taking public transportation
• check provincial or territorial requirements for what you need to do if you’re symptomatic or have tested positive for COVID-19

Travelling in and out of Canada

• International travel advice and advisories
• COVID-19 and international travel
• Proof of vaccination
• Find out if you need a visa

Wearing masks on planes and trains in Canada is not required.

• It's still strongly recommended that you wear a high quality and well-fitted mask or respirator while you travel

Situation in Canada

• COVID-19 guidance, vaccines, limiting the spread
• Summary data about travellers, testing and compliance

The Government of Canada will continue to monitor the situation. See the COVID-19 border measures backgrounder .

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Canada Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to Canada

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required on public transportation.

Canada entry details and exceptions

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Can I travel to Canada from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Canada.

Can I travel to Canada if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Canada without restrictions.

Can I travel to Canada without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Canada without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter Canada?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Canada.

Can I travel to Canada without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in Canada?

Mask usage in Canada is not required on public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in Canada?

Restaurants in Canada are open. Bars in Canada are .

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Latest border and travel measures

This news release may not reflect the current border and travel measures. Check COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders for the latest requirements to enter Canada.

Important notice

Note that information and resources on the coronavirus (COVID-19) are available on Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

Travel Advisory: REMINDER – Travelling to the U.S.? COVID-19 border measures and testing requirements remain in place when you come home 

From: Canada Border Services Agency

News release

Travel Advisory: REMINDER – Travelling to the U.S.? COVID-19 border measures and testing requirements remain in place when you come home

November 5, 2021 Ottawa, Ontario

On November 8, 2021,  the United States will begin allowing fully vaccinated travellers from Canada to enter the United States at land and ferry points of entry for discretionary (non-essential) reasons, such as tourism.

The Canada Border Services Agency would like to remind travellers that border measures remain in place for travellers entering or returning to Canada and that they should get informed and understand their obligations as they make their travel plans.

Travellers should check if they are eligible to enter Canada and meet all entry requirements before heading to the border. Canadian residents can check with their home province or territory about getting COVID-19 proof of vaccination to facilitate their return to Canada.

Fully vaccinated travellers coming to Canada must complete the mandatory pre-arrival molecular COVID-19 test and submit their mandatory information including their digital proof of vaccination in English or French using the free ArriveCAN (App or website) within 72 hours before arriving in Canada. Antigen tests, often called “rapid tests,” are not accepted. Fully vaccinated travellers who are eligible to enter Canada continue to be subject to mandatory random testing on arrival.

For short trips, that are less than 72 hours, Canadian citizens, people registered under the Indian Ac t, permanent residents and protected persons travelling to the United States are allowed to take their pre-arrival molecular test before they leave Canada. If the test is more than 72 hours old when they re-enter Canada, they will be required to get a new pre-arrival molecular test in the United States.

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers who are eligible to enter Canada must continue to follow pre-arrival, arrival and Day-8 molecular COVID-19 testing requirements, and quarantine for 14 days.

Full details on the current measures in place for travellers entering or returning to Canada are available online: COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders .

Travellers may experience delays at ports of entry due to the public health measures as the CBSA will not compromise the health and safety of Canadians for the sake of border wait times. The CBSA thanks travellers for their collaboration and patience.

All questions about U.S. entry and health requirements, should be directed to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Associated links

• Travel Advisory: REMINDER – On September 7, new measures for fully vaccinated international travellers to Canada will come into force
• Find out if you can enter Canada - Travel restrictions in Canada
• COVID-19 vaccinated travellers entering Canada
• COVID-19: For unvaccinated children under 12 without symptoms and travelling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians
• COVID-19: For travellers over 12 without symptoms who are medically exempt from receiving a vaccination
• Entering Canada by land and air during COVID-19
• Entering Canada by water during COVID-19
• Fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada during COVID-19
• COVID-19: Proof of vaccination in Canada

Media Relations Canada Border Services Agency [email protected] 613-957-6500 or 1-877-761-5945

Page details

Vaccinated Americans can enter Canada starting Monday. Here are 11 things to know before a trip.

Vaccinated American travelers will get the green light to cross Canada's borders on Monday , but the process won't be as simple as it was before the pandemic.

The country has implemented new health measures to keep the coronavirus at bay, such as asking visitors to provide additional documentation – including proof of vaccination and a coronavirus test – before crossing the land border. Air travelers also need to submit information , including coronavirus test results, before boarding a   plane to Canada. Falsifying information could result in hefty fines. 

Travelers can also expect longer wait times, thanks to the new public health measures.

Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents will be permitted to enter Canada for nonessential travel starting Monday at 12:01 a.m. ETD. White House officials have yet to say when the U.S. will reciprocate and ease its own travel restrictions against its Canadian neighbors. 

For Americans planning to take a trip up north soon, here are 11 things to know.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

►US borders: US extends Mexico, Canada border restrictions through Aug. 21

Canada border crossing requirements: Travelers will need to be fully vaccinated

American travelers wanting to visit Canada by land, air or water must complete a COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days  before entry. The government of Canada accepts the Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccines.  

Cruises are not permitted to enter Canadian waters, but the country's ban on cruise ships with more than 100 passengers is set to end Nov. 1. 

Everyone needs to get a negative coronavirus test 

All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, will need to show proof of a coronavirus molecular test – such as a PCR test – to enter. Fully vaccinated travelers will not need to take a post-arrival test unless they are randomly selected to do so. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website has a list of  community-based testing sites for COVID-19 . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests travelers contact their health care provider or visit their local health department’s website to find the latest information on testing since the type of COVID-19 tests offered can differ by location.

Bring COVID-19 vaccine card, documentation

Travelers must show proof of vaccination  in either English, French or a certified translation.

Airlines will verify passengers’ vaccination status through the ArriveCAN app or website before passengers board their flights. Those driving across the border must use ArriveCAN before departing. Information must be submitted within 72 hours before arrival. 

Travelers are advised to carry their vaccine documentation to show officials at border entry points and should keep their test results and a list of close contacts and locations visited on hand.

Travelers without documentation will be denied boarding, and those who try to cross land borders without the proper documents will be sent back to the United States.

Travelers who try to falsify their documentation could be fined or denied entry to the country at a future date, according to Denis Vinette, vice president of the CBSA travelers branch. Two travelers who tried to enter Canada last month were fined nearly $20,000 Canadian dollars , or nearly $16,000, after providing false information related to proof of vaccination.  

"We've seen quite a few instances with individuals who've attempted to make use of fraudulent documents," Vinette said. "It's just not worth it.  

►Canada border reopens: Canada border opens to vaccinated US citizens Aug. 9: Everything you need to know

Check for any COVID-19 symptoms, and be prepared to quarantine

Fully vaccinated travelers won't need to quarantine upon arrival, but visitors with COVID-19 symptoms  will need to self-isolate. All visitors must provide a quarantine plan.

You can expect longer wait times

The CBSA is expecting increased processing times for border crossings come Monday due to enhanced public health measures. 

“The CBSA will not compromise the health and safety of Canadians for the sake of border wait times,” spokeswoman Rebecca Purdy told USA TODAY via email Tuesday.   

Vinetteof the CBSA said the agency expects a 10% to 25% increase in vehicles trying to cross the border once restrictions ease Monday, which would be just 20% or so of pre-pandemic levels. 

"We asked travelers to be patient but also to arrive prepared and knowledgeable of the requirements at the border," Vinette told USA TODAY. "It'll help increase passage and throughput and make the experience much more positive."

The agency’s website offers estimated border wait times at select land ports. 

Dan Weingarten, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of Transportation, added that the department will work to process traffic “as expeditiously as possible” through the state's toll plazas and border bridges.

“We anticipate any delays would be at the U.S. or Canadian customs checkpoints, which are not under our control,” Weingarten said. 

While a CBSA employee strike threatened to further increase wait times for travelers crossing the border, strike actions were called off late Friday  after labor unions reached a tentative agreement with the CBSA.  

Children, others who are exempted can enter Canada

Children under the age of 12 and unvaccinated dependent children will be allowed to enter the country with a fully vaccinated parent, stepparent, tutor or guardian who is eligible to enter Canada.

People with health conditions that prevent them from becoming fully vaccinated can qualify for eased quarantine and testing requirements but must follow a modified quarantine. 

►Canada border: Canada to reopen its borders to fully vaccinated Americans starting Aug. 9

You may run into other COVID-19 travel restrictions

Travelers will be required to follow public health measures, including monitoring for signs of COVID-19 and keeping a copy of vaccine documentation and test results 14 days after entry . 

Canada's government suggests mask wearing in shared spaces, and certain provinces – including Quebec  and Ontario – enforce mask mandates.

Travelers entering by air will need to wear a mask in Canadian airports and on flights to and from the country, regardless of vaccination status. 

Some provinces impose  other restrictions. Newfoundland and Labrador  require a travel form to enter.  Ontario has capacity limits on organized public events, retail spaces, museums, casinos, theaters and more. 

The country's national parks are open and welcome visitors, but access to facilities and services may be limited. 

►Mask rules, open venues and more: What you need to know about summer travel in Europe

Airlines add flights to Canada

Airlines are adding flights to Canada to accommodate the anticipated uptick of air travel demand.

Air Canada announced a summer trans-border schedule with up to 220 daily flights between the USA and Canada starting Monday. The initial schedule will include 55 routes and 34 U.S. destinations, but the airline plans to restore service to all 57 U.S. destinations previously served “as conditions allow,” according to the airline.  

United, which flies to Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, said it would add flights to Toronto and Vancouver in September.

American Airlines services four airports in Canada – Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver – and is set to resume operations in Halifax, Quebec and Ottawa in the spring of 2022, according to a statement in June. 

Pricing from flight search tool Skyscanner on Fridayshowed airfares for August trips from the USA to Canada start at $329 for Vancouver, $359 for Toronto and $356 for Calgary. 

Effective Monday, international flights carrying passengers will be permitted to land at nine Canadian airports:

• Montréal-Trudeau International Airport
• Toronto Pearson International Airport
• Calgary International Airport
• Vancouver International Airport
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport
• Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport
• Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport
• Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
• Edmonton International Airport

►Or there's Hawaii: 4 tips to make the most of your Maui vacation as more travelers head to Hawaii

Canada hotel room rates are low – but prices are rising

In June, the average daily room rate – or ADR – across Canada's hotels was $125.05 in Canadian dollars (U.S. $99.61), down 31% compared with 2019, according to hotel analytics company STR.  

Hotel room prices should rebound when border restrictions ease; STR expects ADR to hit $116.22 by the end of September, according to a June statement. The firm expects smaller cities and resorts to lead the recovery. 

“International demand plays an incredibly important role in the recovery process, and we expect a jump in hotel leisure and corporate demand once the U.S./Canada land border reopens,” the news release read.

►More: Yes, room prices are higher. Hotel rates hit record high the week of July 4.

The majority of eligible Canadians are vaccinated against COVID-19

Canada's vaccine rollout had a slower start, but the country has surpassed U.S. vaccination rates. 

More than 71% of the Canadian population  has received at least one dose of the vaccine and nearly 60% were fully vaccinated as of July 31. In the U.S.,  58% of the population was partially vaccinated and 50% was fully vaccinated  as of Friday.  

US extends Canada border closure 

The United States  extended border restrictions on nonessential travel last month, keeping its borders with Canada and Mexico closed through at least Aug. 21. The restrictions to entry affect land and ferry travel. 

The move is meant to help the country decrease the spread of COVID-19, including the highly contagious delta variant.

International travelers who plan to return to the U.S. by air will need to get tested no more than three days before travel and show a negative test result or documentation of recovery to the airline before boarding, according to the CDC. This policy does not apply to land border crossings.

►COVID-19 travel: The delta variant is spreading. Should travelers be concerned?

Follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter: @bailey_schulz . 

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Editor's note: Effective Oct. 1, 2022 all previous border measures to enter Canada have ended.

Traveling in the COVID era comes with all sorts of questions, logistics and concerns that travelers didn't think about before 2020. Traveling to Canada, despite its proximity to the U.S., has been no different.

In March 2020, the U.S. and Canada both closed their land borders to nonessential travel due to COVID-19. What started as a monthlong closure was extended 18 times.

So, if you gave up following the news or tracking border rules, you might be wondering: Can Americans travel to Canada? As of Oct. 1, the answer is yes, with no COVID-related restrictions.

Here's what Americans need to know about traveling to Canada.

What do Americans need to enter Canada?

As a U.S. citizen, you will need to provide proof of citizenship and identity to enter Canada. This can include a U.S. passport , passport card or a NEXUS card . No visa is required as long as your stay is under 180 days.

While the border between the U.S. and Canada reopened for nonessential travel in both directions in November 2021, several COVID-related protocols remained in place for entry until October 2022. Those rules have now been lifted.

Do you need to be vaccinated to enter Canada?

According to the Canadian government travel website, vaccination is no longer required to enter the country.

Previous policies including mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app, proof of vaccination, pre- or on-arrival testing, quarantine and health checks have also been lifted.

» Learn more: How to travel to Toronto on points and miles

Do you have to wear a mask on a plane to Canada?

In mid-2022, many Americans may have been surprised to find that they were required to wear a mask on all flights to and from Canada (flights throughout the U.S. had lifted that restriction). However, as part of the Oct. 1 policy changes, masks are no longer required on planes or trains in Canada.

Can unvaccinated people travel to Canada?

As of Oct. 1, 2022, you can travel to Canada unvaccinated as travel restrictions have been lifted.

» Learn more: TSA PreCheck or Global Entry — Which is right for you?

If you’re planning to travel to Canada

Travel to Canada is back to pre-pandemic rules which simply require U.S. citizens to provide valid proof of citizenship and identification using a passport, passport card or NEXUS card for stays under 180 days. Standard customs and immigration paperwork will still be required, as has always been the case for travel into Canada.

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I am an American citizen. What do I need to enter Canada?

American citizens, including American-Canadian citizens, must carry proper identification and meet the basic requirements to enter Canada . You do not need a Canadian passport, a Canadian visa or an eTA to enter Canada if you are travelling with a valid U.S. passport.

New entry requirement now in effect

Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada by air. Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens , and Canadian permanent residents cannot apply for an eTA.

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• How do I help a family member or friend apply to visit Canada?
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Canada-U.S. border restrictions: The current rules with ArriveCan, COVID-19 tests, vaccine mandates

With the COVID-19 restrictions at the border to remain in place for at least another month , some Canadians may need a primer on what those rules are.

Public Health Agency of Canada announced that several pandemic restrictions will be extended at Canadian airports and land borders, including vaccine mandates, random COVID-19 tests and the mandatory use of the ArriveCan app, until at least June 30.

While few Canadians may still be anxious about travelling, some are ready to take a vacation after more than two years in a pandemic. CTVNews.ca breaks down what rules travellers need to be aware of as they plan their trips prior to jetting off.

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PRE-ENTRY TEST NO LONGER REQUIRED

As of April 1, fully vaccinated travellers no longer need to provide a negative pre-entry COVID-19 test result to enter Canada by air, land or water.

Passengers may still be subjected to mandatory, random PCR testing at the airport -- in part to monitor for new, emerging COVID-19 variants -- though they will not be required to isolate while awaiting their results.

As of April 25, children aged five to 11 who are travelling with a fully vaccinated parent or guardian will no longer be required to complete a COVID-19 test prior to entering Canada, regardless of whether the child is unvaccinated. Children under the age of five won’t be required to complete a pre-entry COVID-19 test either, and are exempt for vaccination requirements.

ARRIVECAN APP

All travellers coming to Canada, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, still have to use the ArriveCAN app to submit their health information before arriving in Canada. Travellers must submit their information in ArriveCAN within 72 hours before arrival at a port of entry.

Travellers who arrive without completing their ArriveCAN submission may have to test on arrival and on the eighth day of their 14-day quarantine, regardless of their vaccination status. Foreign nationals may be denied entry as well if they have not completed their ArriveCAN submission.

Any travellers who fail to submit their information and proof of vaccination using ArriveCAN could be fined $5,000.

While travellers still have to use the ArriveCAN app, the federal government has dropped its requirement for those entering the country to monitor for and report any COVID-19 symptoms they experience. Those travelling from abroad also won’t be required to keep a list of close contacts and places visited for the first 14 days after their arrival in Canada.

PROOF OF VACCINATION STILL NEEDED

Despite the lifting of pre-entry test requirements, the requirement to be fully vaccinated with a government-approved COVID-19 vaccine in order to board federally-regulated air, rail, and marine transportation remains in effect.

Pre-entry testing requirements have not changed for partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers who are currently allowed to travel to Canada.

Unless otherwise exempt, all travellers age 12 or older who do not qualify as fully vaccinated – having received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine accepted for travel or a mix of two vaccines – must continue to provide proof of a negative pre-entry COVID-19 test result.

Accepted pre-entry tests include a health professional-administered negative rapid antigen test taken no more than one day before arriving at a port of entry, or a negative molecular test taken no more than 72 hours before a scheduled flight or crossing at a land border.

Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers may also provide a positive molecular test taken at least 10 days and no more than 180 days before their scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border to enter Canada. Positive antigen test results are not accepted.

The government recommends completing a COVID-19 vaccine series, along with any additional recommended doses in Canada, at least 14 days before travelling internationally. For those who must travel, the government suggests delaying one's plans until they are fully vaccinated.

MASKING DURING TRAVEL AND AFTER ARRIVAL

Canadian adults and children aged five and older who are fully vaccinated are no longer expected to wear a mask in public spaces for 14 days following their arrival in Canada. However, children aged five to 11 who are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated must continue to wear masks in public settings, such as school, for 14 days after entering Canada.

All travellers are also still required to wear a mask while travelling on federally-regulated modes of transportation, such as a plane or train, regardless of whether they are vaccinated.

BEFORE YOU GO

Prior to travelling, the government recommends checking the COVID-19 testing and vaccination requirements, as well as other entry requirements, at one's destination as they may be different from Canada's rules.

Travellers are also advised by the Canadian government to monitor the COVID-19 situation at their destination in the days before travelling should the status of COVID-19 infections and public health requirements there change.

CRUISE SHIPS

Cruise passengers aged five years or older are required to take an antigen or molecular COVID-19 test in order to board a ship no more than two days before their scheduled departure, but will not need to be tested before getting off the ship.

All other requirements for cruises, including providing proof of vaccination before boarding, remain in place.

The government continues to warn travellers that the virus can spread easily between people in close quarters, such as on cruise ships. The government says the chance of being infected with COVID-19 on cruise ships is still "very high," even for those who are fully vaccinated.

A previous version of this article misstated the timeline for passengers to submit an antigen or a molecular COVID-19 test before boarding a cruise ship.

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Canada-U.S. border rules and restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic explained

The rules are complicated and sometimes change. here's what you need to know now.

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Confused over Canada-U.S. border restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic? 

Perhaps you're wondering why you see U.S. licence plates in a local parking lot when the Canada-U.S. land border is closed to tourists. 

Or you're stumped why your neighbour was able to fly to New York last week, but you can't make the five-minute drive across the Windsor-Detroit border to visit family. 

Here's what you need to know about current Canada-U.S. border restrictions and how they may impact you.

Canada-U.S. land border rules

To help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, Canada and the U.S. agreed to close their shared land border to non-essential traffic starting on March 21. The agreement is reviewed every 30 days. So far, the border closure has been extended three times. 

The current end date is July 21 , and that date could be extended once again, particularly if the number of COVID-19 cases in some U.S.  states  continues to spike. 

"I honestly don't think the border will open until the end of the year," said U.S. immigration lawyer Len Saunders. "Especially when you hear about more [COVID-19] cases in Arizona and Texas and all these southern states."

• B.C. closing Peace Arch park at Canada-U.S. border due to 'significant' number of visitors

The Canada-U.S. land border remains open to people making trips for essential reasons, such as for work or school.

On June 9, the Canadian government loosened its border restrictions to allow American visitors with immediate family in Canada to enter the country. Note that a boyfriend or girlfriend doesn't qualify as family and a common-law partner only qualifies if that person has lived with their significant other for at least a year. 

Visiting family members must stay in Canada for at least 15 days and self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

The land border closure continues to frustrate many cross-border couples who can't meet Canada's requirements for reuniting with family. 

Last year, Ian Geddes of Blaine, Wash., married Birgit Heinbach  of Surrey, B.C. Until Heinbach gets her U.S. immigrant visa, the two are separated by the border. 

Geddes said he can't get enough time off work right now to complete a 14-day quarantine in Canada — before he can hang out with his wife and her son.

• Engaged Canadian-American couples kept apart despite new exemption for cross-border families

"It's just a really tough situation," said Geddes, who wishes the Canadian government would waive the self-quarantine requirement for immediate family.

"You should be allowed to cross into a country and see your wife," he said. "Give us some kind of a concession."

You can fly to the U.S. 

Some Canadians may be surprised to learn they can still fly to the U.S. during the pandemic, even though the same rule doesn't apply on the other side of the border. 

With the exception of immediate family, Canada currently restricts all foreigners — including Americans — from visiting the country for non-essential travel via any mode of transportation. 

The U.S., however, only prohibits visitors from entering its country if they've been in Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, the U.K. or 26 European countries in the Schengen Area 14 days prior. 

Because of the bilateral agreement to close the Canada-U.S. land border, the only way Canadians can currently travel to the U.S. is by air . Saunders said dozens of his Canadian clients have flown to the U.S. with no complications during the land border closure. 

"There's a back door wide open," said Saunders, whose office sits close to the Canadian border in Blaine, Wash. "They can just go in through the airport, and so that's what people are doing in droves."

• Canadians can still travel to the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic — just not by car

Canadian air passengers also likely won't have to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival in the U.S. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that international travellers do so, but it's not a requirement unless specified by a particular region or state.

When Canadians return home, they must self-isolate for 14 days —  as per federal rules . 

WATCH | What adjusted border rules mean for families eager to reunite:   

U.S.- Canada border restrictions loosened, allowing some families to reunite

Heinbach plans to fly to the U.S. in August to visit Geddes in Blaine. It's a frustrating solution for the couple because, even though they live in different countries, their homes are only eight kilometres apart — typically a 10-minute drive, depending on border traffic.  

But now Heinbach must fly from Vancouver to Seattle to visit Geddes in Blaine — a journey of more than three hours by plane and car. 

"It just doesn't make sense," said Geddes. 

U.S. licence plates in Canada 

Some Banff, Alta., residents have complained that they've recently spotted American tourists and U.S. licence plates in the resort town. 

"Two days ago, I saw four people get out of a car, out of a Texas vehicle," Banff resident Nina Stewart told CBC News on June 12. "They were laughing and joking about how easy it was to get into Banff."

• Air Canada apologizes after barring passenger from flying to U.S. to see terminally ill husband

Canada allows Americans to drive through the country to Alaska for essential reasons, such as for work or returning to their home. However, they're not to make unnecessary stops along the way. 

RCMP said officers fined seven Americans this week who were supposed to be driving straight to Alaska, but instead were caught taking in the sights at Banff National Park. The fines, issued under the Alberta Health Act, were for $1,200 each. 

"As much as you'd want to stop and see the sights ... that's just inappropriate," said Fraser Logan, spokesperson for the RCMP in Alberta. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Business reporter

Based in Toronto, Sophia Harris covers consumer and business for CBC News web, radio and TV. She previously worked as a CBC videojournalist in the Maritimes where she won an Atlantic Journalism Award for her work. Contact: [email protected]

• @sophiaharrisCBC

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COVID-19 testing and vaccine rules for entering the U.S.

• As of May 12, 2023, noncitizen nonimmigrant visitors to the U.S.  arriving by air  or  arriving by land or sea  no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 
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Everything you need to know about traveling to Canada

Here’s what to know before you go to the great white north.

This story has been updated.

The world is traveling again, and Americans are looking to the Great White North for their international travel plans.

The Canadian border began welcoming American tourists in August 2021, making them the first nonessential travelers to set foot in the country since the pandemic began.

But a lot has changed since the world’s longest international border reopened. For those planning a trip to Canada, here’s what you’ll need to know before you leave.

What you need to enter

Starting Oct. 1, the country is dropping all coronavirus entry and travel restrictions. That means visitors will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination, get tested, submit health information through an official online site, report symptoms, isolate or quarantine, or wear a mask on planes or trains.

Rules for cruise travelers are also being lifted, meaning passengers won’t need to test negative before boarding a ship, be vaccinated or use the online public health reporting system.

The country stopped requiring vaccinated travelers to show proof of a negative test in April, but kept the vaccine mandate in place. Visitors could still be selected for testing upon arrival.

Officials still recommend that travelers wear high-quality masks and forgo travel if they have coronavirus symptoms. People who do arrive sick in Canada should tell someone like a flight attendant, cruise line employee or border officer, the government said. They could be “referred to a quarantine officer who will decide whether the traveller needs further medical assessment,” the official statement said.

Plan for potential airport delays

People who plan to travel by plane should be prepared to face larger crowds and more delays in airports.

Many of Canada’s major airports experienced delays this summer, along with backlogs at security screening and customs. Although there were about half as many people flying through Toronto Pearson airport in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2019, handling these travelers with less staffing and current pandemic screening measures has proved challenging.

“As Canada’s hub airport, more passengers are passing through Pearson than at any other time during the pandemic,” Rachel Bertone, a spokesperson for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, said this summer.

To help offset delays, she recommends international travelers arrive three hours before their flights. Travelers should also make sure their luggage has no liquid, gels or aerosols larger than 3.4 ounces; avoid wearing clothing with metal pieces; and be prepared to remove electronic devices from their bags at security.

You can check current wait times on the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority website .

How to dine and explore

Canada’s vast natural landscapes — from the Rocky Mountains to the Maritimes — make for beautiful sites for camping or a day trip. In its cities, take advantage of the patios along the streets for drinks and dining.

Restaurants no longer require diners to show their vaccine passports . Some restaurants have changed their hours because of staffing shortages, so be sure to check their updated hours.

Ditching the car and taking advantage of the public transportation networks in many cities is also an affordable alternative, said Christine Cassisi, a Florida resident who spent 10 days this summer visiting Vancouver and Victoria in British Columbia with her husband.

She and her husband used public transportation instead of renting a car for most of their trip, and explored many trailheads, restaurants, museums, and other attractions. Most people on transit wore masks, she noted.

Jeff Doane, Accor hotel group’s chief commercial officer for North and Central America, said many Canadian hotels are ready and waiting for American tourists.

“The great thing about Canada is that it has a population of California and it’s bigger than the United States, so there’s a lot of great outdoors out there,” Doane said. “It’s a great place to go out and explore.”

You asked: Where can I find a coronavirus test in a foreign country?

Where to get tested before returning home

While the testing requirement to return to the United States has dropped, you may still want to test before your flight home.

Most major airports in Canada have resources on where to get tested in or near the airport, so do your research to find the best price and location for you. The tests can run anywhere from $40 to $159, depending on the test, testing site and how far in advance you book.

Walden said a trip to Canada can help people scratch their travel itch without going too far from home.

“For American travelers looking to refresh their view …a trip to Canada offers the best of both worlds — exciting adventures and international experiences they crave, with the ease and comfort of proximity,” she said.

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness . Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare , including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario , from canceled flights to lost luggage . Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas , including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed . Submit your question here . Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves .

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Canada lifts covid-19 entry restrictions; u.s. travel urges biden administration to follow suit.

Effective Oct. 1, it became easier for international travelers to go to Canada, including those attending events, as the country officially removed all COVID-19 entry requirements as well as testing, quarantine and isolation measures for arriving visitors. Other COVID-19 travel restrictions were also dropped throughout the country.

According to Canada’s Public Health Agency, the removal of the measures, which include its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, was prompted by several factors. Included in the list is modeling that indicates Canada has largely passed the peak of the recent wave fueled by Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants, Canada’s high vaccination rates, lower hospitalization and death rates, and the availability and use of vaccine boosters (including new bivalent formulation), rapid tests and treatments. “Canada’s travel measures successfully mitigated the full impact of COVID-19 for travelers and workers in the transportation sector and helped keep communities safe,” said the Honorable Omar Alghabra, Canada’s minister of transport. “Thanks to Canadians who rolled up their sleeves and got vaccinated, we are able to take this great step towards easing measures and returning to normal.”

U.S. Reaction

The U.S. Travel Association, which has been persistently calling on the Biden administration to fully ease COVID-related travel restrictions to ensure overall economic growth and the continued recovery of all U.S. travel sectors, applauded Canada’s decision.

[The Canadian government] is taking the right step by lifting its vaccine and testing requirement to enter Canada, which will give its economy a substantial boost,” said Tori Emerson Barnes, U.S. Travel’s executive vice president of public affairs and policy. “[The U.S. government] should follow suit by immediately suspending proof of vaccination for qualified visitors from Canada and other nations, given the wide access to effective COVID boosters and therapies.”

Emerson Barnes added that Canada is the No. 1 source of international travelers to the U.S.

“We should take every action to accelerate recovery from this vital market,” she said.

Canada’s Policy in Detail

Under Canada’s new rules, all incoming travelers, regardless of citizenship, no longer have to do the following:

• Submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website
• Provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination
• Undergo pre- or on-arrival COVID-19 testing
• Carry out COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation
• Monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of COVID-19 upon arriving to Canada

Transport Canada also removed existing travel requirements. Effective Oct. 1, travelers are no longer required to undergo health checks for travel by air and rail or wear masks on planes and trains.

Although the masking requirement is being lifted, Canada’s Public Health Agency strongly recommends that all travelers wear high-quality, well-fitted masks during their trips.

Cruise measures were also removed, so travelers will no longer be required to have pre-board tests, be vaccinated or use ArriveCAN to submit health information. A set of guidelines will remain to protect passengers and crew, which will align with the approach used in the U.S.

The agency also suggests that people should not travel if they have symptoms of COVID-19. If an individual becomes sick while traveling and is still sick when they arrive in Canada, the agency recommends that they inform a flight attendant, cruise staff member or border services officer. They may be referred to a quarantine officer, who will decide if they need further medical assessment, as COVID-19 remains one of communicable diseases listed in the country’s Quarantine Act.

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June 18 coronavirus news

By Meg Wagner , Melissa Mahtani , Veronica Rocha and Fernando Alfonso III , CNN

Canada extends Covid-19 travel restrictions with US until July 21 

From CNN’s Amanda Watts

Canada has extended its Covid-19 restrictions on non-essential international and US travel until at least July 21, according to the Canadian Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

Minister Bill Blair tweeted:

Blair also added, “As we have said, the government is planning measures for fully vaccinated Canadians, Permanent Residents, and others who are currently permitted to enter Canada and will provide further details on Monday, June 21.” 

The  US and Canada mutually agreed to shut down the border in March of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic was just beginning. The current travel advisories for Canada and all can be found  here .

Both Biden and Harris will speak about Covid-19 today

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are both due to give updates on the Covid-19 pandemic in the US today.

Harris is traveling to Atlanta this morning as part of a nationwide tour to encourage Covid-19 vaccinations. 

Just before noon, she's scheduled to visit a pop-up vaccination site at Ebenezer Baptist Church. After that, at 1:40 p.m. ET, she'll give a speech at the Covid-19 vaccination mobilization event at Clark Atlanta University, according to her schedule.

Biden will speak at 2:15 p.m. ET from the White House about the US's Covid-19 response and the vaccination program, according to his schedule.

What we know so far about the Covid-19 Delta variant

Analysis from CNN's Zachary B. Wolf, 

Earlier this week, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designated the Delta variant as a "variant of concern," which means scientists believe it is more transmissible or can cause more severe disease.

Here's what we know about it:

• What is the "Delta variant"?  Officially the B.1.617.2 variant, it was first detected in India in February and has now spread across the globe. Some fear it could overwhelm health care systems and reverse reopening plans before vaccinations take hold.
• Why is it called the Delta variant?  It's kind of like naming storms.  Variants all have scientific names  — B.1.617.2, for instance. But those numbers and letters don't roll off the tongue, so they were for some time also known by their countries of origin. The UK and South Africa variants, for instance. The Delta variant would have been the India variant. In an effort to destigmatize countries associated with variants,  the World Health Organization in May changed its designations to the Greek alphabet . The UK variant became the Alpha variant.
• How does the Delta variant compare with other variants?  It is more contagious, perhaps 60% more contagious than the Alpha variant, which was responsible for a surge in Michigan this spring.
• Do vaccines work against the Delta variant?  Yes, but there is a catch. People who are fully vaccinated seem to have good protection against it. But people who have gotten only one shot of a two-dose vaccine do not.

99% of new coronavirus cases in UK are Delta variant 

From CNN’s Eleanor Pickston

The Covid-19 Delta variant, which is also known as B1.617.2 and was first identified in India, accounts for 99% of new coronavirus cases in the UK, according to the latest data from Public Health England (PHE).

At least 33,630 cases of the Delta variant were identified in the week to 14 June, bringing the UK’s total number of cases of the variant to 75,953, PHE said on Friday.

As of Monday, a total of 806 people have been hospitalized with the Delta variant, an increase of 423 since last week, the report said.

The new data suggests that both the Oxford Astra/Zeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccines are about 75 percent effective in preventing hospitalization from the Delta variant after a single dose and 94% effective after two doses .

Dr. Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, warned on Friday that cases of the Delta variant were “rising rapidly” in the UK and that the variant is now “dominant.”

“The increase is primarily in younger age groups, a large proportion of which were unvaccinated but are now being invited to receive the vaccine,” she added. 

## Variants##  

EU recommends lifting travel restrictions on US and 13 other countries

From CNN's Lindsay Isaac

The European Union's governing body has recommended that the bloc should lift Covid-19 restrictions on non-essential travel from 14 countries, including the US. 

In a statement on Friday, the European Council said member states should “gradually lift the travel restrictions at the external borders” for residents of the following third countries:

• New Zealand
• Republic of North Macedonia
• South Korea
• United States of America
• China, subject to confirmation of reciprocity

Travel restrictions should also be gradually lifted for the special administrative regions of China Hong Kong and Macao. The condition of reciprocity for these special administrative regions has been lifted, it added. 

The decision was based on criteria covering the “epidemiological situation and overall response to COVID-19, as well as the reliability of the available information and data sources.” It adds that reciprocity should also be taken into account on a case by case basis.

The list is to be reviewed every two weeks.

It's possible the US could see a Covid-19 surge this winter. Here's how to avoid it.

From CNN's Madeline Holcombe

With the odds stacked against the US reaching the target of  70% of adults at least partially vaccinated by July 4  — a goal set by President Joe Biden — a vaccine expert said time is running out to get ahead of the potential spread of  Covid-19  variants.

"Vaccines are our only way out of this," Dr. Paul Offit told  CNN's Wolf Blitzer . "Unless we vaccinate a significant percentage of the population before winter hits, you're going to see more spread and the creation of more variants, which will only make this task more difficult."

The numbers of Covid-19 cases and infections have decreased, Offit said. But with hundreds of people dying and at least 10,000 people infected most days, the rates are still too high to prevent the summer lull from turning into a winter surge, he said.

Already the US has seen surges of the highly transmissible Alpha and  Delta  variants, while the spread of the Gamma variant is growing in several states.

In order to attain  herd immunity,  or the point at which the virus cannot easily spread within the community,  experts have offered estimates  of it requiring the innoculation through infection or vaccination of between 70 to 85% of the population. According to the  US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  only 53% of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine.

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Border restrictions still keep many in the US from tourism in Canada

• Anita Elash

Although US citizens have been allowed to cross the land border into Canada for three months now, a COVID-19 test requirement is still keeping many Americans from vacationing in Canada. Anita Elash reports from Niagara Falls, Ontario, on how business owners are struggling this season with the loss of US tourism dollars.

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Cultural News and Events

Cuba Tourist Board of Canada

• REQUIREMENTS FOR CANADIANS PASSENGERS TRAVELING TO CUBA (updated as of Nov 2, 2023)
• Travelling from Canada to Cuba, you just need a valid Canadian passport, if your passport is from another country, you need your Canadian resident card or a work or study permit that includes a multiple-entry permit attached to your passport. For Cuba, you need the tourist card (the tourist card is included in your plane ticket and is issued by the airline on board)
• All passengers arriving to Cuba from a direct flight from Canada, do not need to present a vaccination passport.
• Medical insurance is required for Cuba, medical insurance must cover any type of medical emergency including COVID-19, so in case of a medical emergency the tourist is responsible for paying the costs, for this reason, Cuba suggests having medical insurance for all types of medical emergencies including covid. If you are unable to obtain insurance in Canada, you can purchase medical insurance in Cuba at the airport or visit www.cubatravel.cu. For more information on what the insurance includes, contact the representative at the Insurance desk at the airport in Cuba.
• Since January 1, 2022, travelers must complete the customs and health declaration form, this is done online and the website to visit is: https://www.dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu . All travelers must complete this information online 48 hours before traveling to Cuba. Once the form is completed, you will receive a QR code by email. You must show an electronic or printed version of the QR code to the authorities upon arrival. If you have any problems and you can't fill out the form online because you don't have internet access, the printed form will be available on arrival at the airport in Cuba to fill it out.
• CURRENCY: The local currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP). The convertible peso has been discontinued and is no longer accepted in Cuba. US and CAD dollars are  accepted anywhere in Cuba.  At tourist areas which includes hotels, restaurants and shopping malls, payment is only accepted with debit/visa cards or visa / mastercard credit cards from Canadian banks . Customers who do not have a credit card can buy a prepaid card in Cuba at the airport or at any money exchange kiosks at hotels . Payments outside the tourist areas are all in Cuban pesos (CUP); We recommend exchanging Canadian dollars for pesos as needed and only if you plan to travel OUTSIDE of tourist areas, since you will not be able to change the remaining pesos into Canadian dollars at the end of the holiday.

For additional information, please contact Cuba Tourist Board at:

E-mail: [email protected] TL : 416 362 0700

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Starting Monday, April 8, 2024, people in British Columbia will have access to a free spring COVID-19 vaccine booster to maintain and extend protection for themselves and their loved ones against serious illnesses from COVID-19.

The spring COVID-19 booster will be available throughout the province at pharmacies, regional health-authority clinics, some primary-care offices, and community health centres. This spring vaccine remains free and available for everyone six months and older.

Given the decreased rates of viral respiratory infections in the community, additional infection prevention and control measures implemented in fall 2023 in health-care settings are no longer required at all times. People are still encouraged to wear masks in health-care settings as appropriate, to continue to cover coughs and stay away from others when feeling sick. Health-care workers will continue to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as masks and respirators, in accordance with their point-of-care risk assessments.

While the peak of the respiratory illness season has passed, the SARS CoV-2 virus continues to circulate at lower levels in the community. The protection from infection that COVID-19 vaccines provide decreases over time, particularly in older people, so a spring COVID-19 vaccine booster will ensure people stay protected.

Aligned with advice from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, B.C. health officials recommend the following people consider receiving an additional dose of the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine:

• adults 65 and older;
• Indigenous adults 55 and older;
• adult residents of long-term care homes and assisted-living facilities (including those awaiting placement); and
• individuals six months and older who have been diagnosed as clinically extremely vulnerable (a CEV 1 or CEV 2 condition).

B.C.’s COVID-19 spring program is focused on providing vaccines to those most at risk of severe COVID-19 illness or complications, and people who have not yet received an updated vaccine dose. However, anyone who feels they would benefit from an additional dose of the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine can contact the call centre at 1 833 838-2323 to book an appointment or walk into a pharmacy where the vaccine is available. Vaccine appointment capacity is available in all regions.

The 2023-24 respiratory illness immunization campaign was launched to the general population on Oct. 10, 2023. As of end of day March 31, 2024, B.C. had administered 1,457,246 doses of COVID-19 vaccines and 1,562,023 doses of influenza vaccines.

Quick Facts:

• Invitations will start going out on Monday, April 8, 2024; reminders will be sent out to those who have not yet received an XBB.1.5 dose and to those who fit the listed categories.
• There are approximately 3.9 million people in B.C. who have not received a COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccine.
• B.C. has more than 900,000 doses of Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines (adult, infant and pediatric) in stock and approximately 13,000 doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine in stock for those requiring a non-mRNA vaccine.

Learn More:

People who want a notification to book an appointment, or who are not yet registered, are encouraged to do so by visiting: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit:  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/register#howto

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Far fewer young Americans now want to study in China. Both countries are trying to fix that

W ASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Garrett, a 27-year-old graduate student, always thought he would study in China, but the country’s restrictive COVID-19 policies made it nearly impossible and now he sees interest among fellow scholars wane even after China reopened.

Common concerns, he said, include restrictions on academic freedom and the risk of being stranded in China.

These days, only about 700 American students are studying at Chinese universities, down from a peak of close to 25,000 a decade ago, while there are nearly 300,000 Chinese students at U.S. schools.

Some young Americans are discouraged from investing their time in China by what they see as diminishing economic opportunities and strained relations between Washington and Beijing.

Whatever the reason for the imbalance, U.S. officials and scholars bemoan the lost opportunities for young people to experience life in China and gain insight into a formidable American adversary.

And officials from both countries agree that more should be done to encourage the student exchanges, at a time when Beijing and Washington can hardly agree on anything else.

“I do not believe the environment is as hospitable for educational exchange as it was in the past, and I think both sides are going to need to take steps,” said Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell.

The U.S. has advised its. citizens to “reconsider travel” to China over concerns of arbitrary detentions and widened use of exit bans to bar Americans from leaving the country. Campbell said this has hindered the rebuilding of the exchanges and easing the advisory is now under “active consideration.”

For its part, Beijing is rebuilding programs for international students that were shuttered during the pandemic, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has invited tens of thousands of U.S. high school students to visit.

The situation was far different after President Barack Obama started the 100,000 Strong initiative in 2009 to drastically increase the number of U.S. students studying in China.

By 2012, there were as many as 24,583 U.S. students in China, according to data by the Chinese education ministry. The Open Doors reports by the Institute of International Education, which only track students enrolled in U.S. schools and studying in China for credit, show the number peaked at 14,887 in the 2011-12 school year. But 10 years later, the number was down to only 211.

In late 2023, the number of American students stood at 700, according to Nicholas Burns, the U.S. ambassador to China, who said this was far too few in a country of such importance to the United States.

“We need young Americans to learn Mandarin. We need young Americans to have an experience of China," Burns said.

Without these U.S. students, “in the next decade, we won’t be able to exercise savvy, knowledgeable diplomacy in China,” warned David Moser, an American linguist who went to China in the 1980s and is now tasked with establishing a new master's program for international students at Beijing Capital Normal University.

Moser recalled the years when American students found China fascinating and thought an education there could lead to an interesting career. But he said the days of bustling trade and money deals are gone, while American students and their parents are watching China and the United States move away from each other. “So people think investment in China as a career is a dumb idea,” Moser said.

After 2012, the number of American students in China dipped but held steady at more than 11,000 for several years, according to Open Doors, until the pandemic hit, when China closed its borders and kept most foreigners out. Programs for overseas students that took years to build were shuttered, and staff were let go, Moser said.

Amy Gadsden, executive director of China Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania, also attributed some of the declining interest to foreign businesses closing their offices in China. Beijing's draconian governing style, laid bare by its response to the pandemic, also has given American students a pause, she said.

Garrett, who is on track to graduate this summer from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, said he is ambivalent about working in China, citing the lack of access to information, restrictions on discussions of politically sensitive issues and China’s sweeping anti-spying law. He had lived in Hong Kong as a teenager and interned in mainland China, and said he is still interested in traveling to China, but not anytime soon.

Some American students remain committed to studying in China, said Andrew Mertha, director of the China Global Research Center at SAIS. “There are people who are interested in China for China’s sake,” he said. “I don’t think those numbers are affected at all.”

About 40 U.S. students are now studying at the Hopkins-Nanjing center in the eastern Chinese city, and the number is expected to go up in the fall to approach the pre-pandemic level of 50-60 students, said Adam Webb, the center’s American co-director.

Among them is Chris Hankin, 28, who said he believed time in China was irreplaceable because he could interact with ordinary people and travel to places outside the radar of international media. “As the relationship becomes more intense, it's important to have that color, to have that granularity,” said Hankin, a master's student of international relations with a focus on energy and the environment.

Jonathan Zhang, a Chinese American studying at the prestigious Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, said it was more important than ever to be in China at a time of tense relations. “It’s really hard to talk about China without being in China,” he said. “I think it’s truly a shame that so many people have never stepped foot in China.”

Zhang was met with concerns when he deferred an offer at a consulting firm to go Beijing. “They’re like, ‘oh, be safe,’ or like, ‘what do you mean, you’re going back to China?’” Zhang said. “I feel like the (Chinese) government is trying with an earnest effort, but I feel like a lot of this trust has been broken.”

Gadsden said U.S. universities need to do more to nudge students to consider China. “We need to be more intentional about creating the opportunities and about encouraging students to do this deeper work on China, because it’s going to be interesting for them, and it’s going to be valuable for the U.S.-China relationship and for the world,” she said.

In China, Jia Qingguo, a professor of international relations and a national political adviser, has suggested Beijing clarify its laws involving foreign nationals, introduce a separate system for political reviews of foreign students’ dissertations, and make it easier for foreign graduates to find internships and jobs in Chinese companies.

Meanwhile, China is hosting American high school students under a plan Xi unveiled in November to welcome 50,000 in the next five years.

In January, a group of 24 students from Iowa’s Muscatine High School became the first to travel to China. The all-expenses-paid, nine-day trip took them to the Beijing Zoo, Great Wall, Palace Museum, the Yu Garden and Shanghai Museum.

Sienna Stonking, one of the Muscatine students, now wants to return to China to study.

“If I had the opportunity, I would love to go to college in China,” she told China’s state broadcaster CGTN. “Honestly, I love it there.”

Kang reported from Beijing.

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