Last updated: February 23, 2022
In response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, most provinces and territories in Canada had announced that they will require individuals to show proof of vaccination in order to take part in non-essential activities.
Many provinces initiated vaccination passport systems with the intention of keeping Canadians safe and helping to reopen the economy. As the situation continues to improve in 2022, many provinces have started rolling back their vaccine passports. As a newcomer to Canada, it’s important you understand what vaccine passport requirements are in place in your province or territory. That way, you can continue to enjoy non-essential services while keeping yourself and those around you safe.
In this article:
- What is a vaccine passport?
- What are the vaccine passport requirements for Canadian provinces and territories?
- Am I eligible for a vaccine passport if I received my COVID-19 vaccines outside the province or country?
- How to get a vaccine passport in Ontario
- How to get a vaccine passport in British Columbia
- How to get a vaccine passport in Quebec
- How to get a vaccine passport in Alberta
- How to get a vaccine passport in Manitoba
- How to get a vaccine passport in New Brunswick
- How to get a vaccine passport in Newfoundland and Labrador
- How to get a vaccine passport in Northwest Territories
- How to get a vaccine passport in Nova Scotia
- How to get a vaccine passport in PEI
- How to get a vaccine passport in Saskatchewan
- Do I need a vaccine certificate/vaccine passport for international travel?
| Want to know more about COVID-19 has affected entering Canada? See How changes to Canada’s border restrictions affect new arrivals to learn more about COVID-19 vaccine and quarantine requirements |
What is a vaccine passport?
A vaccine passport is a secure proof of vaccination document for non-essential services within a certain province or territory in Canada. Many provinces in Canada have created their own version of vaccine passports in the form of a QR code or printed confirmation. This vaccine passport allows individuals living in the province to engage in recreational activities and visit non-essential places, such as a restaurant, gym, or movie theatre.
Proof of vaccination are the vaccine records or receipts issued by your jurisdiction after receiving an approved COVID-19 vaccine. In most provinces, the vaccine passport is different from the proof of vaccination you receive after getting your COVID-19 vaccine. However, some provinces are still accepting original vaccine records along with valid identification as proof of vaccination.
What are the vaccine passport requirements for Canadian provinces and territories?
Most provinces and territories have now implemented a vaccine passport for all residents and visitors. Here is an overview of each province or territory.
| Province or territory | Where is a vaccine passport needed? |
|---|---|
| Ontario
(Ontario’s vaccine passport system will end on March 1, 2022) |
|
| British Columbia (B.C.) |
|
| Quebec
(Quebec vaccine passport system will be scrapped on March 14, 2022) |
|
| Alberta
(Alberta’s vaccine passport system was scrapped on February 9, 2022) |
|
| Manitoba
(Manitoba’s vaccine passport system comes to an end on March 1, 2022) |
|
| New Brunswick |
|
| Newfoundland and Labrador
(NL’s vaccine passport system will come to an end on March 14, 2022) |
|
| Northwest Territories (NWT) |
|
| Nova Scotia
(Nova Scotia’s vaccine passport system will end on February 28, 2022) |
|
| Prince Edward Island (PEI)
(PEI vaccine passport system will be scrapped on February 28, 2022) |
|
| Saskatchewan
(Saskatchewan’s vaccine passport system ended on February 14, 2022) |
|
Currently, the Canadian territories of Nunavut and Yukon do not have a vaccine passport program. Vaccine passports have been launched on a voluntary basis in the third territory, the Northwest Territories.
Am I eligible for a vaccine passport if I received my COVID-19 vaccines outside the province or country?
The following COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for use by Health Canada:
- Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
- Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273)
- AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
- Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)
- Bharat Biotech/Covaxin (BBV152 A, B, C)
- Sinopharm (Beijing) BBIBP-CorV (Vero Cells)
- Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)
Individuals vaccinated with one of the approved COVID-19 vaccines outside of Canada may be eligible for a vaccination passport in the province or territory they are residing in. Some provinces have also clearly defined rules for getting a vaccine passport if you’ve been vaccinated abroad with a vaccine that’s not approved in Canada. Here is breakdown of how you can get your earlier doses registered with the government or qualify for a vaccine passport in each province or territory:
How to get an Ontario vaccine certificate if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province
If you’ve received a partial or complete COVID-19 vaccine series outside of Ontario or Canada, you’ll need to contact your local public health unit to get your COVID-19 immunization record documented before receiving any additional doses or getting vaccination receipts. You will need to submit the proof of vaccination you received at the time of immunization.
If you’ve previously received one or two doses of a vaccine that’s not approved by Health Canada, you will be asked to take a third dose of an approved mRNA vaccine after a minimum 28 day gap following your previous COVID-19 vaccination.
How to get a B.C. Vaccine Card if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province
If you received one or both doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine in another province or country, you will need to register with the Get Vaccinated provincial registration system and submit proof of an official immunization record. This will then be entered into the Provincial Immunization Registry. The process typically takes between 10 to 12 days.
If you received one or two doses of a vaccine that is not approved for use in Canada, you’ll not be eligible for a B.C. vaccine passport until you receive a third dose of an approved vaccine.
How to get a Quebec vaccine passport if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province
If you’re a Quebec resident who received one or two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine outside of the province or Canada, you’ll need to sign up at the Quebec Vaccination Registry or on ClicSanté to get the information about administered doses updated. You can also book an appointment to receive another vaccine dose through this portal.
Note: Quebec accepts all vaccine types approved by the World Health Organization for the purpose of issuing a vaccine passport.
How to get an Alberta vaccine passport if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province
If you were partially or fully vaccinated outside of Alberta, you’ll need to update your health records by submitting your out-of-province/country immunization records online through ahs.ca/VaccineRegistry.
If the information you provide is not enough to validate your record, you’ll receive a call from an AHS Public Health team member for more information. In case your record cannot be validated, you will need to get re-vaccinated in Alberta.
How to get a Manitoba Immunization Card if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province
If you got your COVID-19 vaccine, partial or full, outside of Manitoba, you’ll need to submit the vaccination record issued by that province or country through the government’s online form. Alternatively, you can update your information by calling 1-844-MAN-VACC (1-844-626-8222). Once your information has been updated, you can request your immunization card online.
If you’ve received one or two doses of a vaccine that is not approved by Health Canada but approved by the World Health Organization, you can receive a dose of mRNA vaccine in Manitoba to be considered fully immunized.
If you have received three doses of a vaccine not approved by Health Canada, you are also considered fully immunized. At that point, you can then request your Manitoba immunization card by calling 1-844-MAN-VACC (1-844-626-8222).
How to get a New Brunswick vaccine passport if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province
If you have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccination approved in Canada outside the province or country, you can show your proof of vaccination from the jurisdiction where you received the vaccine.
If you received a COVID-19 vaccination not approved in Canada, contact your nearest public health location in the province for more information.
How to get a NLVaxPass if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province
If you don’t have a Newfoundland and Labrador MCP card, your vaccination record from your province or home country along with identification counts as proof of vaccination. However, it should clearly indicate that you’re fully vaccinated with a vaccine that’s approved by Health Canada.
If you received a vaccine not approved by Health Canada, you are also considered fully vaccinated if you received one or two doses of a non-Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine, followed by one dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), and at least two weeks has passed since the mRNA dose.
If you have a valid MCP card, you can get your out-of-province vaccinations added to your Electronic Health Record in Newfoundland and Labrador.
How to get a Nova Scotia vaccine passport if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province
Permanent residents who’ve received one or both doses of COVID-19 vaccine outside Nova Scotia can get their out-of-province vaccinations included on their Nova Scotia COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination. If you’re not a permanent resident of Nova Scotia, you can use your vaccination record from your home province, territory or country as proof of vaccination.
If you received one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine that’s not approved by Health Canada and the World Health Organization, you’re not considered fully vaccinated and need two doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna).
Anyone who received 1 dose of Janssen/Johnson & Johnson can receive 1 one additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) to be optimally protected.
How to get a PEI Vax Pass if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province
If you’re a PEI resident who received a COVID-19 vaccine outside of PEI, you’ll need to submit your proof of vaccination from another province or country online, so it can be added to your PEI Immunization Record. If you don’t have a PEI Health Card or cannot submit your out-of-province vaccination proof online, you can visit your local PEI Public Health Nursing Office to get your information updated. Once your information has been updated, you can access your vaccination record through the COVID-19 Immunization Record portal.
If you are not a PEI resident, you’ll need to provide a government-issued vaccination record from the province/territory/country where you were vaccinated.
If you are a PEI resident and received one or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine not approved by Health Canada, you will be considered fully immunized 14 days after receiving one dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech ComirnatyTM or Moderna SpikevaxTM).
You will also be considered fully immunized 14 days after receiving three doses of any non-Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine.
For more information on getting a third dose of an mRNA vaccine in PEI, visit the Get The Vaccine page or call the PEI Immunization Program toll-free 1-844-975-3303.
How to get a Saskatchewan vaccine passport if you’ve been vaccinated outside the province
If you are a Saskatchewan resident who has received one or both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine outside the province, you’ll need to update your COVID-19 Immunization Record through the MySaskHealthRecord portal.
How to get a vaccine passport in Ontario
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination was rolled out in Ontario on September 22, 2021 for individuals who are fully vaccinated. Individuals can also download an enhanced vaccine certificate with a QR code from the provincial vaccine portal. Each enhanced vaccine certificate contains a SMART Health Card QR code which businesses can easily scan at the door.
To log in to the provincial vaccine portal, you’ll need:
- Photo OHIP card
- Date of birth
- Postcode associated with health card
Alternatively, call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to have an enhanced vaccine certificate emailed or mailed to you.
How the Ontario vaccine certificate works
Save the electronic version of your vaccine certificate with a QR code to your phone or print a paper copy. Businesses must accept both electronic and paper versions and will scan the QR code using a Verify Ontario app. Individuals also need to show a piece of ID with their name and date of birth, along with their proof of vaccination.
Exemptions for vaccine passports in Ontario
Exemptions in Ontario include:
- Children under age 12
- Youth under age 18 entering the indoor premises for organized sport
- Entering a business temporarily
- Entering a building for health and safety purposes
- Medical reasons, such as severe allergies, anaphylaxis, myocarditis or pericarditis
- Participation in a COVID-19 clinical trial
Penalties and fines in Ontario
Any individual who does not comply with the COVID-19 screening or presents fraudulent documents can be fined $750 CAD or more and businesses can be fined $1,000 CAD and up.
Will Ontario accept vaccine passports from other provinces?
Visitors to Ontario can present vaccine receipts from jurisdictions outside the province, as long as the vaccine doses were one of Health Canada’s approved vaccines and they meet Ontario’s definition of fully vaccinated.
How to get a vaccine passport in British Columbia
The BC Vaccine Card came into effect in the province on September 13, 2021. To get your BC Vaccine Card, you’ll need to provide your:
- Date of birth
- Personal Health Number (PHN)
- Date of first or second COVID-19 vaccine
Log on to Health Gateway and fill out your personal information. Once you have completed the online form, save a digital copy or a screenshot of your QR code or print a paper copy.
Individuals who don’t have access to a smartphone, computer, or printer can:
- Ask a family member or friend to help
- Print their card at the library
- Order a copy by phone by calling 1-833-838-2323
- Print a copy at a Service BC office
How the BC Vaccine Card works
Businesses can download the BC Vaccine Card Verifier App to verify an individual’s BC Vaccine Card. Anyone aged 19 + will also be required to show valid government-issued photo ID to verify their identity.
Exemptions for vaccine passports in B.C.
Children aged under 12 years old are exempt. However, according to the provincial health officer, there will be no medical or religious exemptions for any other individuals while the BC Vaccine Card remains in effect.
Penalties and fines
Any business or organization that doesn’t comply with the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) order may be issued a violation ticket of $230 CAD or $575 CAD for individuals and owners or event organizations could be subject to a $2,300 CAD violation ticket.
Will B.C. accept vaccine passports from other provinces?
Anyone travelling to B.C. from another Canadian province or territory can show their officially recognized vaccine record together with a piece of valid government photo ID.
How to get a vaccine passport in Quebec
Quebec rolled out its QR code vaccine passport on September 1, 2021. Individuals can get their vaccine passport by visiting the province’s self-service portal and download their digital proof of vaccination. You’ll need to provide:
- First name and last name
- Date of birth
- Health insurance number
- Date of your first COVID-19 vaccination
- Brand name of your first COVID-19 vaccine
From there, you’ll be sent a digital proof of vaccination in a PDF format by email or text message. Instructions on how to download the vaccine passport will be provided in the message or you can visit Procedure for downloading digital proof of COVID-19 vaccination for more information. If you don’t have an email or are having difficulty obtaining your vaccine passport, telephone 1 877 644-4545.
How the Quebec vaccine passport works
Individuals aged 13 and older are required to show their vaccine passports for non-essential activities. The QR code can be shown in the following formats:
The QR code will be scanned with an app called VaxiCode Verif and will show a person’s name in green if they are vaccinated and in red if they are not. Photo ID is also required for anyone aged 16 and older. For individuals 75 and older, non-photo ID will be accepted.
Exemptions for vaccine passports in Quebec
Exemptions in Quebec include:
- Children under the age of 13
- Specific medical exemptions, including allergies to vaccine ingredients
Penalties and fines in Quebec
Individuals who do not show a valid vaccination passport or violate other public health measures risk fines ranging from $1,000 CAD to $6,000 CAD. Businesses face similar fines for not enforcing vaccine passport rules.
Will Quebec accept vaccine passports from other countries or provinces?
Visitors to Quebec can show proof of vaccination from another province or country, along with ID that confirms where they live.
How to get a vaccine passport in Alberta
Alberta’s Restriction Exemption Program started on September 20, 2021. Individuals can get their verified COVID-19 vaccine record with their QR code at alberta.ca/CovidRecord. You’ll need to enter your personal information and provincial health care number, then save the QR code to your phone or print it out. Residents are required to show this verified proof of vaccination as a QR code when they enter businesses, restaurants, or attend events.
How the Alberta Restriction Exemption Program works
The QR code only contains information on the person’s name, birthday, and vaccination status, along with a green check mark to verify their vaccination. Businesses are required to use an official AB COVID Records Verifier app to scan your QR code. Individuals must also show valid photo ID to confirm their identity.
Exemptions for vaccine passports in Alberta
Exemptions for a vaccine passport in Alberta will be exceedingly rare. The College of Physicians and Surgeons in Alberta has developed a guide for physicians on exemptions, which states that “a patient’s or physician’s individual moral objection to vaccination is not considered sufficient clinical rationale for exemption of vaccination against COVID-19.”
Valid exemptions for a vaccine passport in Alberta include:
- Children aged under 12
- Severe allergy or anaphylaxis to the vaccine
- Diagnosis of myocarditis or pericarditis
- Patients who received an anti-viral monoclonal antibody or plasma to treat COVID-19
Penalties and fines in Alberta
Any individual who violates a public health order in Alberta may be subject to a $2,000 CAD fine and can be prosecuted for up to $100,000 CAD for a first time offense.
How to get a vaccine passport in Manitoba
The Manitoba Immunization Card with a QR code came into effect on September 3, 2021. To be eligible, individuals must have received all required doses of Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca and wait 14 days after getting their last dose of the vaccine.
To get a Manitoba Immunization Card, go to the Manitoba provincial portal or call 1-84