Crossing the Border

Travelling to Canada

Travellers from across Canada are invited to visit BC, and the Canadian border has reopened to fully-vaccinated international travellers.  We encourage all travellers to be fully informed of the pre-entry and on-arrival public health and testing requirements both federally and provincially. This includes the mandatory use of the ArriveCAN app. Travellers should plan for extra time in the lead-up, and upon the arrival of their trip. For the latest information on travel to Canada including the updated federal requirements and restrictions, please visit the Government of Canada’s website.

Planning Your Travel

  • People who travel, regardless of citizenship, need to follow testing and quarantine requirements to keep Canadians safe, particularly given the COVID-19 variants in Canada and around the world.
  • To qualify for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption, you must:
    • Be eligible to enter Canada on the specific date you enter
    • Have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19
    • Have received the full series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine or a combination of accepted vaccines
    • Have received your last dose at least 14 days prior to the day you enter Canada
      • Example: if your last dose was anytime on Thursday July 1st, then Friday July 16th would be the first day that you meet the 14 day condition
    • Meet all other entry requirements (for example, pre-entry test)
    • Upload your proof of vaccination in the ArriveCAN app.
      • All travellers coming to Canada must submit their mandatory information in ArriveCAN (free App or website), including their digital proof of vaccination and a quarantine plan within 72 hours before arriving in Canada.  For more information, visit www.canada.ca/arrivecan.

        If you are a foreign national travelling for discretionary purposes and don’t submit your information through ArriveCAN, you may be denied entry into Canada.

        Canadian citizens, permanent residents or persons registered under the Indian Act won’t be denied entry, but you:

        • won’t be eligible for the fully vaccinated traveller exemption
        • may face additional delays at the border for public health questioning
        • may be subject to fines or enforcement action
  • For detailed information, including the steps you should follow before your trip, please visit the Government of Canada website.
  • Make sure when travelling into Canada you have proper identification for yourself, and any children travelling with you, to help confirm your legal right or authorization to enter into Canada. All international traveller’s identification must be acceptable as well as valid visas (if necessary) to ensure entry; a passport is recommended because it is the only reliable, universally-accepted travel/identification document for the purpose of international travel. To learn more about identification requirements and other important information about crossing the USA/Canada border check out the Canadian Border Services Agency website or the Canada Welcomes You website

Travel Documents for Entering Canada

Please refer to the following link for additional information about the required documentation for entering Canada and contact the Canadian Border Services directly – The Discover Surrey team is not able to provide specific guidance or advice as to specific requirements and case-by-case information, so the following resources will be your go-to source:

Travel and identification documents for entering Canada (cbsa-asfc.gc.ca)

Additional Resources

We encourage you to visit the Public Health Authority of Canada’s (PHAC) website for the most accurate and up-to-date information on the COVID-19 situation in Canada. 

City of Surrey COVID-19 Update
Health Link BC’s website
Government of Canada COVID-19 update
World Health Organization COVID-19 update

Additional Border Information

Minor children entering Canada as a visitor

Please make sure you have read and are familiar with the information regarding minors and travel to Canada.

Bringing Animals to Canada: Travelling with pets

It is important that all visitors review the information regarding travel to Canada with a pet. If you don’t, you risk experiencing delays at the border and your animal may not be allowed into Canada.

For more information, please contact: 1-800-461-9999 (toll-free in Canada and the USA) or visit the travel with pets section of the Government of Canada’s website.

Bringing food into Canada for personal use

There may be restrictions on the items you bring into Canada for your own personal use. These restrictions vary depending on the item, the country it originates from and the Canadian province you’re bringing it to.

Please refer to this resource from the Government of Canada’s website for more information.

SUrrey's Borders

Surrey is home to two borders that cross into the United States: the Peace Arch Border Crossing and the Pacific Highway Border Crossing. The Peace Arch Border Crossing is slightly more accessible, making it the more popular point of entry for international travellers. As the two borders are just under a mile apart, the Pacfic Highway Crossing is a great alternative for when the Peace Arch Crossing becomes overwhemingly backed up. 

PEace Arch Border Crossing

The Peace Arch Border Crossing connects the city of Surrey with the small town of Blaine, Washington. It is located along Highway 99 on the Canadian Side, and Interstate 5 on the American side. As the border is connected by major highways on both sides, it is the prefered point of entry to get to larger cities, such as Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia, since it provides the most direct routes. It is the third busiest border crossing between the two countries; at peak times, waits can be up to four hours long, with an average of 4,800 cars crossing through per day. Click here for live footage of the Peace Arch Border line-up going both North and South bound

Pacific Highway Border Crossing

Like Peace Arch, the Pacific Highway Border Crossing also connects the city of Surrey with the small town of Blaine, Washington. It is located on the what was once know as the Pacific Highway which runs from Vancouver, British Columbia to San Diego, California. On the Canadian side, the highway is now signed as British Columbia Highway 15 and on the American side it now the Washington State Route 543. Since 1970, all commericial vehicles are required to use the Pacfic Highway Crossing if they are planning to cross the border between Surrey and Blaine. It is now one of the top five busiest commercial border crossings between Canada and the USA. Click here for live footage of the Pacific Highway Border line-up going both North and South bound. 

The Best Things to Do Once You've Crossed The Border

Once you arrive in Canada you will be moments away from some of Greater Vancouver’s best restaurants, activities, events, and more!  Surrey is a fantastic travel hub, minutes from downtown Vancouver and close to nature trails, amazing beaches, eclectic local shops, global restaurants and one-of-a-kind heritage sites that will transport you back in time.

Here are a few highlights and resources:

Psst – when you’re booking your stay, check out the current featured packages on our Travel Offers page and book direct for the best rates. Just enter your dates below for hotel-direct rates and availability:

Search Lodging

Need another reason to make surrey your next destination?

It’s impossible to encapsulate Surrey into just a few pictures or signature experiences – Surrey is ready for you to discover and to tell your unique story. Check out our Blog for fresh features and things to do or explore the features in the main menu to craft your own unique story just across the border. You’ll feel a world away in our multicultural and welcoming neighbourhoods… 

We Can't wait to Welcome You to Surrey, BC!