Traveller's Corner

Planning a trip

• Always carry a valid passport whenever you travel outside of Canada. It is the only proof of your nationality and identity that is accepted in all countries.
• Unlike a birth certificate or driver's licence, a passport can be replaced if it is lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed or inaccessible on your trip.
• A passport may be required for financial or legal transactions, such as cashing travellers' cheques.

Visa requirements

All countries have special entry requirements. Since those requirements may change, we suggest you consult the the nearest diplomatic mission of the country you intend to visit. You may also consult the Foreign Affairs Canada's Travel Reports. These provide general information on most countries as well as information on entry requirements.

Passport validity requirement

Many countries require passports to be valid for a number of months beyond the date of a visitor's entry. For that reason, before travelling to a country, ensure that your passport will be valid long enough by contacting the consular mission of the country you plan to visit. It is recommended that your passport be valid beyond your expected date of return home.

Before you leave... be prepared

1. Try to apply for a passport during the off-season, between June and November.
2. Ensure that you are carrying a valid passport. Check that the expiry date of the passport is well beyond your return date.
3. Remember to sign the passport on page 3, and fill in your current address and the name of a person to contact in case of emergency on page 4.
4. Make two photocopies of the identification page of the passport.
• Leave one copy with a friend or relative at home.
• Bring the second copy with you on your trip. Carry this photocopy separately from the passport when you travel. This can help identifiying you if the passport is lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed or inaccessible.
5. Read the last page of the passport.

Related Internet sites

• Foreign Affairs Canada
• Consular Affairs
  Interested in learning about the country you're planning to visit? The Consular Affairs Web site provides information and assistance for Canadians abroad, as well as travel information and advisory reports for would-be travellers.
• Service Canada
  Whether you are travelling for pleasure, business or study - short or long term, Service Canada provides everything you need to prepare for your trip, valuable information you should take with you and what you need to know to return. You'll also find great federal and provincial information on travelling around Canada and interesting things to see and do.
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada
• Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Travel Medicine Program
  • The Government of Canada is devoting increasing levels of effort to address the future risk of a human influenza pandemic.