Travel & Vancouver Information

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We are looking forward to seeing you in Vancouver.  Below you will find the current travel restrictions to enter Canada.  Please review these and confirm your eligibility to visit Canada prior to registering for the conference.

Travel Update - September 26, 2022

The federal government has announced it is dropping all COVID-19 border restrictions for anyone entering Canada, including: proof of COVID-19 vaccination, quarantine and isolation requirements as well as all pre- or on-arrival COVID-19 testing.

Canada is also making the ArriveCan application optional, and is lifting the mask mandate and health check requirements for travellers on planes and trains.

Travel to Canada: Requirements for COVID-19

Starting October 1, Canada is dropping all COVID-19 border restrictions for anyone entering Canada, including: proof of COVID-19 vaccination, quarantine and isolation requirements as well as all pre- or on-arrival COVID-19 testing.

Canada is also making the ArriveCan application optional, and is lifting the mask mandate and health check requirements for travellers on planes and trains.

Read more

Travel Info for Citizens and permanent residents of the United States

  • Citizens of the United States need a valid U.S. passport to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport.
  • Citizens of the United States coming to Canada by car, bus, train or boat need to carry proper identification and meet the basic requirements to enter Canada.
  • Citizens of the United States who are also Canadian citizens should bring a valid Canadian passport and a valid U.S. passport or travel document to board a flight from the Unites States to Canada. Carrying both documents may help simplify both your entry into Canada and your return to the United States.
  • Permanent residents of the United States need a valid Alien Registration Card and a passport to enter Canada.
     

Visa info for Citizens and permanent residents of the United States

  • For tourist visits to Canada of less than 180 days, U.S. citizens do not need visas. Other types of travel (e.g., to work, study, or immigrate) generally requires visas. Find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada.
  • Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship, proof of identity, and proof of vaccination.  All travelers must use the ArriveCAN app to provide mandatory travel information before and after your entry into Canada. 
  • When traveling by air from Canada, U.S. citizens are required by U.S. law to present a U.S. passport book. A few exceptions to this rule and a full list of documents that can be used at land and sea borders are provided on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.
  • Children under 16 need only present proof of U.S. citizenship.
  • Anyone with a criminal record (including misdemeanors or alcohol-related driving offenses) may not be able to enter Canada without first obtaining an approval for rehabilitation well in advance of any planned travel. To determine whether you may be inadmissible and how to overcome this finding, please refer to the CIC website.
  • Using your passport to fly to Vancouver, be sure your passport is valid for at least six-months after your trip (May 2022). If you have a US Visa, be sure your Visa is valid for your return entry into the USA after the meeting. 

Do you need a Visa to enter Canada?

  • According to the Government of Canada “Most people need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization to travel to Canada. Some people may only need their valid passport. Answer a few questions to find out what you need to travel to, or transit through, Canada.” Complete the quiz.
  • Turns out you need a Visa? Complete the online application.
     

International Attendees

  • Foreign nationals must meet the entry requirements under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and provide appropriate travel and immigration documentation as necessary. 
  • For foreign residents a visitor Visa may be required to enter into Canada.  Find out if you need a visitor visa.
  • Keep in mind that processing times for Visa vary depending on your country of origin.  We recommend that that you at least 5 months prior to the conference


Request a letter of invitation from the ESA to provide as a support document.

Destination Vancouver offers a variety of resources to help you maximize your time while in Vancouver. In fact, you’ll want to stay and extra day or two to take advantage of everything the city and British Columbia has to offer!

Download the local maps to get ready to navigate the city on your own from the moment you arrive.

Ground Transportation Options
A variety of ground transportation options are available to you when you arrive in Vancouver. 

  • The SkyTrain’s Canada Line provides rapid rail service linking YVR to downtown Vancouver, taking only 26 minutes. All the hotels and the VCC are located within walking distance of stops headed towards the Waterfront stop (where the VCC is located just a few blocks away). Check the TransLink website for maps, schedules, and fare information. 
  • Taxi: Taxis and wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available at taxi stands located on Level 2 of the Domestic and International Arrivals Area at YVR. The fare to downtown is a flat fee of $32 + gratuities. 
  • Ride-share: Ride share apps are available in Vancouver. Fares may range from $28-$32 each way. Pickup areas are located on Level 2 for International and domestic arrivals. 

In November, Vancouver averages a high of 50⁰F (10⁰C) and a low of 37⁰F (2.8⁰C). Be sure to pack layers for the day.  

 

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