ArriveCAN is Canada’s free digital border tool managed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). As of October 2022, it is no longer mandatory for most travelers — but using it to submit an Advance CBSA Declaration can speed up your border crossing.
✅ CURRENT STATUS: ArriveCAN is optional for most travelers entering Canada. COVID-19 vaccination proof is no longer required.

What Is ArriveCAN?

ArriveCAN is a free digital tool developed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that allows travelers to submit their customs and immigration declaration before arriving in Canada. It is available as a mobile app (iOS and Android) and as a web browser tool at canada.ca/en/mobile/arrivecan.html. The main feature of ArriveCAN today is the Advance CBSA Declaration — a digital customs form you can complete up to 72 hours before your arrival at a participating Canadian airport. Submitting in advance means you can use a dedicated express lane at the border, saving time at customs. Key facts about ArriveCAN:
  • Free — the official app costs nothing to download or use
  • Optional — no longer mandatory for most travelers (as of October 2022)
  • Platforms — iOS (App Store), Android (Google Play), and web browser
  • Main feature — Advance CBSA Declaration (submit up to 72 hours before arrival)
  • Issuing authority — CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency)
  • Official URL — canada.ca/en/mobile/arrivecan.html
ArriveCAN was originally launched in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic as a mandatory tool for submitting vaccination proof and health declarations. Since October 2022, COVID-related requirements have been removed, and the app has transitioned into a voluntary border efficiency tool.

Is ArriveCAN Still Required in 2025?

ArriveCAN is not mandatory for most travelers entering Canada. The Government of Canada removed the mandatory ArriveCAN requirement on October 1, 2022, when COVID-19 vaccination requirements for entry were lifted. You are no longer required to submit an ArriveCAN declaration to cross the Canadian border. However, the Advance CBSA Declaration feature remains available and is recommended — it allows you to complete your customs declaration digitally before you land, which can significantly reduce your wait time at the border.

ArriveCAN for Air Travel

For travelers arriving by air, ArriveCAN’s Advance CBSA Declaration is available at major Canadian airports, including Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), Calgary (YYC), Ottawa (YOW), Edmonton (YEG), Winnipeg (YWG), Halifax (YHZ), and Quebec City (YQB). When you submit your Advance Declaration before landing, you receive a QR code that you scan at a kiosk upon arrival. This allows you to bypass the paper customs form and often use a faster processing lane. Even if you don’t use ArriveCAN, you will still need to complete a paper customs declaration form on arrival.

ArriveCAN for Land Border Crossing

If you are driving to Canada or crossing at a land border, the Advance CBSA Declaration feature is not currently available for land crossings. You will complete your customs declaration verbally with the CBSA border officer at the port of entry. ArriveCAN is not required for land border crossings. US citizens and other travelers driving into Canada do not need to use the app.

What Happens If You Don’t Use ArriveCAN?

Nothing — there is no penalty for not using ArriveCAN. It is entirely optional. If you choose not to use it:
  • You will complete a paper customs declaration form at the border (distributed on the plane or available at the port of entry)
  • You will go through the standard customs processing lane
  • Your wait time may be slightly longer than that of travelers who submitted an Advance Declaration
There is no fine, no denial of entry, and no negative consequence for skipping ArriveCAN.

How to Use ArriveCAN Step by Step

To use ArriveCAN, download the free app (or use the web version), create an account, enter your travel details, and submit your Advance CBSA Declaration up to 72 hours before you arrive in Canada. You’ll receive a QR code confirmation to show at the border.

Step 1: Download the ArriveCAN App

Option A — Mobile App:
  • iOS: Open the App Store → search “ArriveCAN” → download the official CBSA app (free)
  • Android: Open Google Play → search “ArriveCAN” → download the official CBSA app (free)
Option B — Web Browser:

Step 2: Create an Account and Fill In Your Information

  1. Open ArriveCAN and select “Sign up” to create a free account with your email address.
  2. Verify your email address.
  3. Log in and select “Start a new submission”.
  4. Enter your travel document details (passport number, country of issue, expiry date).
  5. Enter your trip details (arrival date, flight number or border crossing, arrival airport or port of entry).
  6. Add any family members traveling with you (each person needs their own entry, but one account can manage multiple travelers).

Step 3: Submit Your Advance CBSA Declaration

The Advance CBSA Declaration is the customs form you would normally complete on paper at the border. In ArriveCAN, you complete it digitally before you arrive:
  1. Answer the customs questions honestly — declare goods over your duty-free exemption, currency of CAD $10,000 or more, food, plants, or animal products, and any firearms or restricted items.
  2. Review your answers carefully — false declarations are a criminal offence under the Customs Act.
  3. Submit your declaration — you can submit up to 72 hours before arrival.

Step 4: Your ArriveCAN Receipt and QR Code

After submitting, ArriveCAN generates a QR code confirmation receipt. This is your proof of submission.
  • Save or screenshot the QR code — you will need it at the border
  • At the airport, scan your QR code at the CBSA kiosk upon arrival
  • Show the kiosk receipt to the CBSA border officer
  • The officer may ask follow-up questions based on your declaration
If you lost your receipt, log back into your ArriveCAN account, go to “My submissions”, find your trip, and download or screenshot the QR code again. If you cannot access your account, the CBSA border officer can look up your submission using your passport number.

Who Needs to Use ArriveCAN?

ArriveCAN is available to all international travelers entering Canada — including tourists, returning Canadians, permanent residents, and work/study permit holders. It is optional for most travelers but recommended for faster border processing at participating airports.

ArriveCAN for US Citizens

US citizens do not need ArriveCAN to enter Canada — it is entirely optional. US citizens are also exempt from the Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization), so they only need a valid US passport to enter Canada by air or land. That said, US citizens can use ArriveCAN’s Advance Declaration to speed up customs processing at Canadian airports. If you are a frequent traveler to Canada, it is worth setting up an account.

ArriveCAN for Permanent Residents

Canadian Permanent Residents (PRs) can and should use ArriveCAN when returning to Canada by air. The Advance Declaration allows PRs to use the express kiosk lane at participating airports, reducing wait times significantly. Permanent residents must still carry their valid PR card (or a Permanent Resident Travel Document if returning from abroad without their PR card).

ArriveCAN for Families and Children

One ArriveCAN account can cover multiple family members. When creating your submission, you can add your spouse, children, and other family members traveling with you. Each person’s customs declaration is submitted together under one QR code. For minor children, parents or guardians submit the declaration on their behalf. Children do not need their own ArriveCAN account.
Important: Even if you submit as a family, each traveler still needs their own valid travel document (passport, PR card, etc.) at the border.

ArriveCAN App: Download, Login, and Troubleshooting

The ArriveCAN app is free on iOS and Android. If the app isn’t working, use the web browser version at canada.ca/en/mobile/arrivecan.html. Your account and submissions are saved and accessible from any device.

ArriveCAN App Not Working? Use the Web Version

If you experience technical issues with the ArriveCAN app, the most common fixes are:
  • Update the app — go to App Store or Google Play and check for updates; an outdated version may not work correctly
  • Clear the app cache — on Android, go to Settings → Apps → ArriveCAN → Clear Cache
  • Use the web version — go to canada.ca/en/mobile/arrivecan.html in any browser; it has the same functionality as the app
  • Try a different browser — if the web version isn’t loading, try Chrome, Safari, or Firefox
  • Check your internet connection — ArriveCAN requires an active internet connection to submit
The web version is fully functional and recommended as an alternative if the app is not working. You do not need the app to use ArriveCAN.

Lost Your ArriveCAN Receipt?

If you submitted your ArriveCAN declaration but lost the QR code receipt:
  1. Open the ArriveCAN app or go to the web version.
  2. Log in to your account.
  3. Go to “My submissions” or “Trip history”.
  4. Find your current trip and tap to view the QR code.
  5. Screenshot or download the QR code.
If you cannot access your account (forgotten password, locked account), use the “Forgot password” option to reset via email. If you still cannot retrieve your receipt, inform the CBSA border officer — they can look up your submission using your passport number.

ArriveCAN vs eTA Canada: What’s the Difference?

ArriveCAN and the Canada eTA are two completely separate requirements. Many travelers confuse them — here is the key difference:
ArriveCAN Canada eTA
What it is Customs & immigration declaration tool Electronic Travel Authorization (visa equivalent)
Purpose Submit customs declaration before arrival Authorize entry to Canada for visa-exempt travelers
Who needs it Optional for all travelers Required for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to Canada
Cost Free CAD $7
When to get it Up to 72 hours before arrival Before booking your flight (can take minutes or days)
Validity Per trip Up to 5 years or until the passport expires
US citizens Optional Not required (US citizens exempt)
UK citizens Optional Required
Australian citizens Optional Required
The key rule: If you are a visa-exempt foreign national (not a US citizen) flying to Canada, you need both an eTA (to board the plane) and you may optionally use ArriveCAN (to speed up customs). These are not interchangeable — one does not replace the other. US citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement and can enter Canada with just a valid US passport. ArriveCAN remains optional for US citizens.

FAQ — ArriveCAN Canada

  • Is ArriveCAN still required in 2026? ArriveCAN has been optional for most travelers since October 1, 2022, when Canada removed COVID-19 vaccination requirements for entry. You are not required to use ArriveCAN to enter Canada.
  • Is ArriveCAN free? The official ArriveCAN app and web tool are completely free. Any website charging you to submit ArriveCAN is a third-party service not affiliated with the Canadian government.
  • How early can I submit ArriveCAN? You can submit your Advance CBSA Declaration up to 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival in Canada.
  • Do Canadian citizens need ArriveCAN? ArriveCAN is optional for Canadian citizens. They can use it voluntarily to submit an Advance Declaration and speed up customs processing at participating airports.
  • Can I use ArriveCAN for a cruise ship? Yes. ArriveCAN is available for travelers arriving by sea, including cruise ship passengers. Check with your cruise line for specific instructions.
  • What if I made a mistake on my ArriveCAN submission? Log back into your ArriveCAN account and update your submission before you cross the border. You can edit your declaration as long as you have not yet arrived at the port of entry.
  • Do I need ArriveCAN if I have NEXUS? NEXUS holders can use ArriveCAN for the Advance Declaration — it is optional. NEXUS members already have expedited border processing, but ArriveCAN can further streamline the customs declaration step.
  • Is ArriveCAN the same as e-Declaration? Yes — the Advance CBSA Declaration is the main feature of ArriveCAN. The terms are used interchangeably. The “e-Declaration” refers to the electronic customs declaration submitted through ArriveCAN.
  • Can I do ArriveCAN for someone else? You can add family members — including children — to your ArriveCAN account and submit declarations on their behalf. Each person’s information must be entered separately, but they can all be submitted under one account.
  • What is the “purpose of your trip” in ArriveCAN? When completing your Advance CBSA Declaration, you declare whether your visit is personal (tourism, visiting family), business, or another purpose. This is a standard customs question — answer honestly based on your primary reason for visiting Canada.
  • What happens if I don’t use ArriveCAN? You will need to complete a paper customs declaration form at the border instead. There is no fine or penalty for not using ArriveCAN.
  • Can I enter Canada without completing ArriveCAN? You can enter Canada without using it by completing the standard paper customs declaration at the port of entry.
For the most current information on ArriveCAN and Canada border requirements, always check the official Government of Canada website at canada.ca.