The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has
beginning next month, the U.S. will allow non-essential Canadian and Mexican travelers, who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have the appropriate documentation, to enter the United States via land and ferry ports of entry (POEs) across the U.S. border (exact date in November to be advised).
Although the Canada-U.S. border restrictions into
had been eased in July 2021 to fully vaccinated U.S. non-essential visitors, restrictions into the U.S. had remained unchanged for non-essential travellers.
In a statement
from U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas “In alignment with the new international air travel system that will be implemented in November, we will begin allowing travelers from Mexico and Canada who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the United States for non-essential purposes, including to visit friends and family or for tourism, via land and ferry border crossings,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “Cross-border travel creates significant economic activity in our border communities and benefits our broader economy. We are pleased to be taking steps to resume regular travel in a safe and sustainable manner.”
Beginning in early January 2022, the DHS will require that all inbound foreign national travelers crossing U.S. land or ferry POEs – whether for essential or non-essential reasons – be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination. This approach will provide ample time for essential travelers such as truckers, students, and healthcare workers to get vaccinated.
This new travel system will create consistent, stringent protocols for all foreign nationals traveling to the United States – whether by air, land, or ferry – and accounts for the wide availability of COVID-19 vaccinations.
For more information, please call Brian Rowe, Director – Customs Compliance & Regulatory Affairs at (905) 882-4880, ext. 1213.
