6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.Foreign Affairs Canada publishes a booklet, A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.
The use of drugs is illegal and punishable by law.
A licence is required to export precious gems. Penalties are heavy for those involved in smuggling, particularly when diamonds and other gems are involved.
Islamic practices and beliefs are closely adhered to in the country’s customs, laws, and regulations. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. Visitors should dress conservatively (e.g., women should wear a headscarf and also cover their arms and legs). Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. The use of drugs and alcohol is prohibited. Transgressions could be punished by detention or other penalties.
Homosexual activity is illegal.
Videotaping and photography are forbidden in many parts of the country and should be restricted to private gatherings. You must obtain permission from the Guinean government before photographing military and transportation facilities, government buildings, or public works.
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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
There is no resident Canadian government office in Guinea. You can obtain consular assistance and further information at the following address:
Senegal - DAKAR, Embassy of Canada
Address: Corner of Galliéni and Brière-de-l'Isle Streets, Dakar, Senegal
Postal Address: P.O. Box 3373, Dakar, Senegal
Tel.: 221 889-47-00
Fax: 221 889-47-20
E-mail: dakar@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.dakar.gc.ca
For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Dakar and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.
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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Conditions are subject to change.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
Canadians entering Guinea by air must arrive at Conakry. Those arriving by private or chartered aircraft or by helicopter must not enter Guinean airspace unless written overflight and landing confirmation has been obtained from the Guinean authorities. Even with this authority, the flight must first stop at Conakry. Both crew and passengers must obtain a valid visitor's visa before entering the country. Failure to follow these procedures may result in the aircraft being fired upon and confiscated, and travellers will also face a lengthy stay in Guinea.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Guinea. The passport must be valid for at least the duration of the stay. Canadians must also obtain a visa prior to their departure for Guinea.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers arriving from infected areas.
Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Transit Visa: Required
Diplomatic or Special Passport: Visa required
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
There is an airport departure tax, which may not be included in the price of the plane ticket. Please check with your air carrier.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
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9. MONEY
The currency is the Guinean franc (FG). The economy is cash-based. The import or export of local currency is prohibited. There are no limits on the import of foreign currency, but it should be declared on arrival. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival. It is recommended that travellers carry no more than 10,000 FG (about C$10) upon departure from Guinea. ATMs are not available. Credit cards are rarely accepted. Traveller's cheques in USD are accepted only at banks and some hotels.
Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
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10. GENERAL INFORMATION
The Republic of Guinea (capital: Conakry) is located in western Africa, bordering Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Atlantic Ocean. The official language is French. Tourist facilities are limited outside the capital.
Radio Canada International (RCI) broadcasts on shortwave to this country. For a schedule of times and frequency of broadcasts, check the RCI Web site. You may also e-mail RCI at info@rcinet.ca or call 514-597-7500.
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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is currently monitoring an increase in cholera activity in West Africa. Further information on cholera and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site.
The PHAC is following the incidence of meningitis in and around the African meningitis belt. This belt extends from Guinea to Senegal in the west to Ethiopia and western Eritrea in the east. Epidemics most often occur during the dry season (December to June) in this region. Since the mid-1990s, meningitis has occurred on an unprecedented scale and has spread beyond the usual boundaries. Additional information and health recommendations concerning meningitis can be obtained through the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Basic medical, dental, and optical facilities are offered in Conakry.
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13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.
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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
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15. TRAVEL TIPS
Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.
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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
There have been fraud attempts through e-mail originating from western Africa, including Guinea. Any unsolicited business proposal should be carefully scrutinized. Usually, the con artist sends an e-mail, or letter, offering a substantial percentage of a large sum of money to be transferred into your account in return for your "discretion" or "confidentiality". These messages often claim that the soliciting party has personal ties to senior officials. You, as the bank account owner, are promised a percentage of the huge sum, just for allowing the use of your account. You may be asked to provide blank, signed invoices, letterhead, and bank account information, or to send money for transfer taxes. Some businesses have found their accounts looted by the persons to whom they sent account information.
Should you receive such an e-mail or letter, please contact one of the organizations listed below.
CONTACT INFORMATION
International Trade Canada
Africa and Middle East Trade Division
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0G2
Tel.: 613-944-6579
Fax: 613-944-7437
Embassy of the Republic of Guinea
483 Wilbrod Street
Ottawa, ON
K1N 6N1
Tel.: 613-789-8444
Fax: 613-789-7560
Criminal Operations Branch
Economic Crime Directorate
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
1200 Vanier Parkway
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0R2
Tel.: 613-998-6050 or 613-998-6069
Fax: 613-993-4299
PhoneBusters National Call Centre
P.O. Box 686
North Bay, ON
P1B 8J8
Tel.: 1 888 654-9426 or 705-495-8501
Fax: 1 888 654-9426 or 705-494-4008
Web site: www.phonebusters.com
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18. ANNEX
N/A
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