Canadian Consular Services

Eligibility Criteria

Canadian public in or outside Canada.

Eligible Area

These services are available in all Canadian provinces and in over 180 countries.

Eligible Activities

Assistance needed while travelling, working or living abroad.

Summary

Consulates

"Consular" is the word used to describe the services that a country provides for its citizens abroad.

Hours of Operation

Canada's consular services operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through a network of over 270 service points around the world. The 270 offices, located in over 180 countries, include embassies, high commissions, consulates, honorary consulates and development offices. In some places, Australian diplomatic officers provide consular services to Canadians.

Before Leaving Canada

Before leaving Canada, you may wish to visit the Consular Affairs'  Web site to obtain safe travel advice and information on your country of destination. The Country Travel Reports, available on-line, contain up-to-date information on current conditions in over 225 foreign destinations, including security and health issues, as well as visa requirements.

Getting Assistance Once You Are Abroad

If you have a problem once you are overseas, contact a Foreign Affairs office. The addresses and telephone numbers are also listed in the publication Bon Voyage, But ...The offices can be reached by telephone, by fax, by mail or via the Internet. Through one of the world's most sophisticated communications and computer systems, they can communicate with you, no matter what the time of day or your location. During non-office hours, telephone calls to a DFAIT office will be transferred automatically to a consular officer in Ottawa, or you will be asked to leave a message on an answering machine. In either case, there will be a prompt response. In case of emergency and if you can not reach a local office, you can make a collect call to the Consular Affairs in Ottawa at (613) 996-8885.

Services Offered

Some of the services offered include:

• help during such emergencies as natural disasters or civil and military uprisings;
• direct you to sources of information about local laws, regulations, cultural customs and how to obtain visas;
• assist with medical emergencies;
• replace passports and take citizenship applications;
• ensure equitable treatment under local laws if you are arrested, inform relatives and friends, if requested, and assist in ensuring that your legal rights as provided locally are protected;
• notify next of kin regarding accidents or deaths and keep them informed; and
• locate missing persons.

Publications

The consular communications products, include a series of publications on safe travel and travel reports for over 225 destinations world-wide, contain practical advice and valuable information on foreign travel as well as the list of Canadian missions world-wide. These publications can also be picked up from Passport Offices and travel agencies across Canada or from Consular Affairs offices overseas.

Tel.: 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada) or (613) 944-4000
E-mail: enqserv@international.gc.ca

Country Travel Reports and General Information

Tel.: 1-800-267-6788 (in Canada or in the U.S.) or (613) 944-6788
TTY: 1 800 394-3472 (in Canada or in the U.S.) or (613) 944-1310
E-mail: voyage@international.gc.ca

Ontario Contact(s):
See National Contact.