Executive summary: ArriveCAN mobile and web application

In April 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and measure enacted under the Quarantine Act, the Government of Canada launched the ArriveCAN mobile and web application. Developed in partnership between the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the digital tool was designed to collect public health information from travellers during enhanced border measures under the Quarantine Act in advance of arrival to Canada.

In June 2022, the CBSA integrated the Advance CBSA Declaration (ACD) feature into ArriveCAN allowing travellers to also complete their declarations prior to arrival to Canada. As of October 2022, mandatory public health requirements are no longer collected using ArriveCAN. However, the CBSA will continue to use and improve the ArriveCAN platform to innovate and modernize the border by leveraging and enhancing technologies to facilitate travellers using a right-touch service delivery model.

In it's current state, the ACD feature of ArriveCAN allows travellers to electronically provide the CBSA with their customs and immigration information up to 72 hours before their arrival to Canada. It is anticipated this will contribute to an increase in overall efficiency of traveller processing, a reduction in transactional cost associated to traveller processing, an increase in overall effectiveness of traveller processing, mitigation against health and safety risks for travellers and employees and improvement to the overall business intelligence for the CBSA. ACD is currently available at ten Canadian international airports.

ArriveCAN is the CBSA's digital platform for multiple enabling components and projects planned under the CBSA's Traveller Modernization (TM) initiative until 2029, including the expansion of ACD to other modes.Personal information is collected in ArriveCAN via three distinct actions:

• ArriveCAN Account Creation,
• Advance CBSA Declaration (ACD), and
• Saved Traveller Profiles.

While some risks have been identified, various mitigation strategies and safeguards have been built-in to the ArriveCAN technology solution to ensure that the personal information collected from travellers is protected when being transmitted to the CBSA.

Right of Access

ArriveCAN users may formally request access to their personal information or corporate records related to or created by the ArriveCAN mobile and web applications by contacting the Information Sharing, Access to Information and Chief Privacy Office (ISATICPO). More information can be found at About access to information and privacy.

Accountability

If you have concerns about the collection, use, disclosure or retention of your personal information, you may issue a complaint to CBSA Access to Information and Privacy Division. Complaints should be made in writing, and include your name, contact information, and a brief description of your concerns. Contact information for the Access to Information and Privacy Division at the CBSA can be found here: Access to Information and Privacy – Contact us.