The pre-travel process for Prince Edward Island, Canada

Aug 30, 2021 6:59:00 AM

The following pre-travel guidelines were provided by the University of Prince Edward Island.

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Before you start the Pre-Travel Process

  1. Housing/Residence is critical
    • Ensure that you have long-term housing arranged PRIOR to your travel to Canada. Housing is incredibly difficult to secure, especially at this time when there are so many travelling here for the school year. If you cannot secure housing before coming, there is the option of deferring or studying online for the fall term and arriving in Winter. *If you are a graduate student, please consult with the admissions staff as every program handles deferrals and the mode of classroom delivery for fall differently. **Please review housing email
  2. Register in a minimum of three courses in the fall and winter terms
    • Contact apply@upei.ca to meet with a first-year advisor if you need assistance selecting your undergraduate courses
  3. Book your flight
    • Ensure that you communicate with our staff and the province to let them know of any changes to your travel dates as the provincial and federal governments will be needing to know this
  4. Request the Pre-Travel letter from MyUPEI
    • This is the first major step in the PEI Pre-Travel Process. The letters are required at both the federal and provincial processes
    • The travel letter can be requested on your MyUPEI under 'forms' on the right-hand side. 
    • Please note: We are receiving a high volume of emails and requests so please be patient as we try to get back to everyone as quickly as we can. Your patience is appreciated and you will receive your travel letter in time for the pre-travel process. The more emails sent, the longer it will take to respond to everyone. Please plan accordingly and do not wait until the last minute. This process takes time!

 

Once you receive your letter from UPEI, then you can begin the next steps to request to travel to PEI

The next step depends on your vaccination and where you are travelling from.

Note: New students must isolate at the central isolation hotel if they don't qualify for the PEI Pass unless they have a suitable quarantine location with a support person. Students should NOT book their own rooms with the hotels for quarantine.  The Provincial travel approval staff will arrange the accommodation.  Once the location and room number are assigned, a confirmation will be provided to you.

Travellers may be flagged at the Federal border for fourteen days of isolation.   PEI will only isolate students for eight days at the central location. If you do not have a suitable location to quarantine for the remaining six days, please make sure to let staff know that when requesting your letter and when filling out the PEI Self-Declaration form.  Students may complete their remaining six days of isolation (or three days if they were detained for three days at their point of entry to Canada) at their permanent accommodation, if suitable. To confirm you have a suitable quarantine plan, please visit: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/isolation#plan

  • If you are fully vaccinated (as outlined above), then you are only required to apply for a PEI Pass https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/apply-for-a-pei-pass.  If approved - no isolation is required unless determined at the Canadian border upon entry.  For those granted a PEI Pass outside Atlantic Canada; there will be a test upon entry to PEI.  No further testing will be required. Please follow the attached form for instructions on this process.
    • If you are vaccinated fully and likely exempt from quarantine, you must arrange your own housing (short term and long term) Only then will a letter be sent to you that confirms that if you are found at the border to require quarantine, the province will coordinate it for you. NOTE: Accommodations are only provided to those who require it for quarantine. If exempt, you will NOT be booked into a room and will immediately travel to your long-term housing.
  • If you have only received one vaccination, no vaccinations or have been vaccinated with a vaccine not currently recognized by the government of Canada, then you will be required to complete the 14-day quarantine if travelling internationally. Students in this category must submit the PEI Self-Isolation Declaration here: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/pei-self-isolation-declaration. PEI's isolation period is now eight days/nights, with testing on entry and on day 4 and eight. Please follow the attached form for instructions on this process.
    • If you are required to quarantine and have applied for the PEI Self-Declaration, you will be followed up with ahead of your travel date with a booking for the quarantine hotel.

 

Pre-Travel Steps

  1. COVID-19 molecular polymerase chain reaction (or PCR) testing- All travellers to Canada must present a negative test result from a PCR test prior to boarding their flight. It must have been taken within the last 72 hours before you enter Canada.
  2. ArriveCan App-The app is now required and must be used prior to entering Canada to confirm that you have reached your quarantine destination and to complete mandatory daily reporting during quarantine (self-isolation), which includes a brief daily symptom self-assessment. Make sure that the app is downloaded and the appropriate documents are submitted prior to when you board your flight.
    • You will need to submit all COVID-related information digitally through ArriveCAN prior to boarding your flight to Canada. Students will need to provide travel and contact information, proof of vaccination (if applicable), a quarantine (self-isolation) plan, and a COVID-19 symptom self-assessment. To download the app, sign in to the website, or receive additional information please click here.
    • **Travellers must be ready to show their ArriveCAN receipt (take a screenshot) when seeking entry into Canada; a border services officer will verify that you have submitted your information digitally. Travellers who do not submit the required information digitally beforehand will not be able to board their flight.
  3. Register in Advance for your Required COVID-19 Test Upon Arrival to Canada- depending on when and where you enter 

 

Travelling to Canada

  1. Be prepared to wear a mask during your travel
  2. Prepare for your arrival COVID-19 test in advance
  3. Have all documents prepared to show the border officer. Review the IRCC travel checklist- https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/entering-canada-checklist

If you meet the requirements and are exempt from quarantine, you may travel by air or land to your final destination (PEI). However, you must:

  1. Follow local public health measures
  2. Wear a mask while in public for 14 days
  3. Maintain a list of all close contacts for your first 14 days in Canada
  4. Keep copies of your proof of vaccination for 14 days.