Immigration and COVID-19-related travel information for Canada

Learn more about what conference organizers are doing to support access to AIDS 2022.

Access AIDS 2022

To attend AIDS 2022, the 24th International AIDS Conference, in Montreal, you must take certain steps to enter Canada. The host country has several restrictions on travel, and those entering must have had a COVID-19 vaccination. Please follow the three steps listed on this page.

Step one: COVID-19 – Find out if you are eligible to travel to Canada

This information was updated on 12 May 2022.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions on travel to Canada are currently in place. As a first step, delegates need to find out if they are eligible to travel to Canada.

Foreign visitors are allowed to enter Canada if they:

  • Have received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of accepted vaccines (full vaccination is also required for visitors who have recovered from COVID-19). Travelers arriving to Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, may be randomly selected for arrival testing at their costs, but are not required to quarantine while awaiting their test results.
  • As of 1 April 2022, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to provide a pre-entry COVID-19 test result.
  • Have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19

Note: If your proof of vaccination is not in English or French, you need a certified translation in English or French. Your certified translation must include the stamp or membership number of a professional translation association.

Accepted vaccines are:

  • AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
  • Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)
  • Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S) – only one dose required
  • Medicago Covifenz
  • Moderna (mRNA-1273)
  • Novavax (NVX-COV2373, Nuvaxovid, Covovax)
  • Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
  • Sinopharam BIBP (BBIBP-CorV)
  • Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)

Step two: Find out if you require a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization

If you are eligible to travel to Canada, it is your responsibility to investigate visa requirements and apply for a visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa), if necessary. Most delegates will need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada – not both. Some delegates may need only their valid passport. Answer first these questions to see what you require to travel to Canada.

I require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Information on the eTA application process and requirements can be found here.

I require a visitor visa to enter Canada

Information on the visitor visa application process and requirements can be found here.

  • Delegates are advised to apply for their visa at least 12 weeks before the departure date to ensure adequate processing times, however please check the processing times, as it varies by country.
    To do so please select “Temporary residence (visiting, studying, working)” from the drop-down menu of the “Select an application type” on the Check processing times page.
  • After applying for a visitor visa, consult this page on next steps.
  • Delegates who require an official letter of invitation from IAS – the International AIDS Society – necessary for the visa process can request one through the AIDS 2022 online registration portal. To receive an AIDS 2022 letter of invitation, delegates must first register for the conference, pay in full and submit any required supporting documentation, if applicable. The AIDS 2022 letter of invitation does not financially obligate the IAS in any way nor does it guarantee entry into Canada. All expenses incurred in relation to their participation in the conference are the sole responsibility of the delegate.
  • If you have submitted a scholarship application, please do not register for the conference separately. If your application is successful, the IAS will register you for the conference and provide you with a letter of invitation when scholarships are awarded in mid-April.

Step three: Download COVID-19 entry documents

This information was updated on 12 May 2022.

Delegates who are eligible to enter Canada and have an eTA or a valid visitor visa should consult COVID-19 vaccinated travellers entering Canada before travelling to Canada to ensure that they have all the COVID-19-related documents necessary to enter the country. All travel information, as well as your proof of vaccination, in French or English, must be uploaded in ArriveCAN within 72 hours prior to travel.

ArriveCAN is available to download as a mobile app or you can create an account online.

Registration reimbursement for visa denials

Concerned about the high number of visa denials for AIDS 2022, we have changed our registration reimbursement policy to support our friends and colleagues who cannot attend the conference in Montreal. If you were denied a visa, you may choose to change your registration with no fee and attend virtually or you may choose to request a full registration refund, dependent on certain criteria.

More information

For any questions, contact the AIDS 2022 Immigration team at [email protected]

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