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Introduction
More Canadians have been bitten by the travel bug than ever before. Equipped with passports, we are venturing abroad in record numbers. At the same time, the challenges we face as world travellers continue to grow as we journey further into countries where cultural, health and security conditions differ greatly from our own.
Sometimes, being bitten by the travel bug can bring more pain than pleasure. That is why Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada encourages Canadians to educate themselves to travel the world responsibly. This booklet offers essential guidelines to ensure a safe and successful journey. It also provides vital information on consular services and Canadian government offices worldwide.
What Are Canadian Consular Services?
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has more than 260 offices worldwide, where consular officials are ready to assist Canadians travelling, working or living abroad.
Before you leave Canada, it is important to be informed about the services we do and do not provide, as well as to realize that not all government offices provide the same type and level of service.
Consular Officials Provide the Following Services:
(Services are free, unless otherwise indicated)
In emergencies
- Assist in arranging evacuation in the event of war, civil unrest or a natural disaster.
- Arrange help in a medical emergency by providing you with a list of local doctors and hospitals.
- Arrange for a medical evacuation should a required treatment not be available locally (fees apply).
- Comfort and assist victims of robbery or other violence.
- Help find missing persons and abducted children.
When legal issues arise
- Provide you with a list of local lawyers.
- Provide you with sources of information about local laws and regulations.
- Seek to ensure that you are treated fairly under the country’s laws if you are arrested or detained (see our publication A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad).
- Provide assistance if your child has been abducted and taken to another country (see our publication International Child Abductions: A Manual for Parents).
- Notarize documents (fees apply).
When other issues arise
- Replace a lost, stolen, damaged or expired passport (fees apply).
- Issue a statement in lieu of a certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad (fees apply).
- Provide an emergency loan (fees apply, and this service is offered only as a last resort and is subject to strict rules).
- Transfer funds (fees apply).
- Contact relatives or friends and ask them to send you money or airline tickets.
- Contact next of kin, with your authorization, if you have had an accident or are detained by police.
- Accept citizenship applications.
- Provide advice about burying a Canadian abroad or repatriating the remains to Canada.
- Contact your next of kin in case of death.
- Request that local authorities investigate suspicious circumstances in the event of an alleged or apparent crime or death.
Consular Officials DO NOT Provide the Following Services
When legal issues arise
- Intervene in private legal matters.
- Provide legal advice.
- Obtain a criminal record check on your behalf.
- Post bail, pay fines or legal fees.
- Get you out of prison.
- Take possession of an abducted child.
- Enforce a Canadian custody agreement overseas or compel a country to decide a custody case.
- Investigate a crime or death.
- Ask local authorities to give preferential treatment to Canadians.
When other issues arise
- Make travel arrangements.
- Compensate or reimburse you for delayed or cancelled travel.
- Pay your hotel, medical, travel or other expenses.
- Store personal effects or search for lost items.
- Acquire local permits or licences on your behalf, including foreign visas or work permits.
- Assist with job hunting.
- Help you find accommodation.
- Accept mail on your behalf.
- Issue pension or social security benefits.
- Perform marriage ceremonies.
- Pay the burial, cremation or repatriation costs of a deceased Canadian.
Emergency Consular Services
Emergency consular assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Outside of office hours, your telephone call will automatically be transferred to a consular officer in Ottawa or you will be asked to leave a message for a return call. In either case, there will be a prompt response. If you leave a recorded message, make sure that it is clear and that you leave a complete telephone number or contact address.
From some countries, you can use a toll-free number to speak to a consular officer in Ottawa. In addition, you can make a collect call to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in Ottawa at 613-996-8885 (where available).
In some locations where Canada does not have a local office, an Australian or British government office will provide you with emergency services. These and possibly other foreign government offices can also contact the nearest Canadian office on your behalf.
Check the List of Canadian Government Offices Abroad for information on how to contact the Canadian office(s) in the country you plan to visit.
Before You Go
Get Informed
Take time to learn about the political, cultural and economic environment of your destination. Learn at least a few key phrases in the country’s language. Even a modest command of the local language will go a long way.
Some countries experience ongoing wars, insurgencies or sporadic unrest. Find out if your destination is known to be dangerous. Consult the Country Travel Reports and the Current Issues section of our website for essential travel advice.
Before you go abroad, we advise you to:
- Find out the location of Government of Canada offices in the countries you plan to visit and carry the contact information with you.
- Provide family or friends with a travel itinerary and contact details, as well as the emergency number for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
Your Passport
As a travel document, your passport is the only evidence of your Canadian citizenship and identity that is accepted in all countries. You and all family members should have a valid passport if you plan to travel outside Canada. Passport applications are available at the Passport Canada website, Passport Canada offices, postal outlets in Canada and Canadian government offices abroad.
A Passport for Everyone
Canadian children must have their own passport. The practice of adding a child’s name to a parent’s passport is no longer permitted.
Before you leave on your trip, be sure to complete the “In case of accident or death notify” section (page 4) in your passport. This information will help us quickly notify your family or friends if an emergency arises.
Processing Time
Passport Canada is currently experiencing
a sharp volume increase in
passport applications. The normal
processing period for in-person
applications in Canada is 10 working
days. The processing of mail-in applications takes a minimum of 20 working days. So, plan to apply well before departure.
Keep It Safe!
Make photocopies of your passport’s identification page and of your identification cards. Keep the copies separate from the originals when travelling. For added security, leave a copy with a friend or relative at home. We also recommend that you carry a birth or citizenship certificate in addition to your Canadian passport. These simple steps may speed the replacement process if you lose your passport.
Expiration Date
If your passport is due to expire within six months of your scheduled return to Canada, check with the destination country’s embassy or consulate in Canada for its rules and restrictions regarding passport validity and expiration. Some countries will not let you enter if your passport is due to expire within six months of entry.
If you have any questions about passports, contact Passport Canada.
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Do You Need a Visa?
You need a visa to enter certain countries. Your travel agent or the country’s embassy or consulate in Canada can advise you of the requirements. Apply for visas well in advance of your trip.
Some countries will allow you to enter only if you can prove you will be leaving and have enough money to support yourself during your stay. Be prepared to show your return or onward ticket, a bank statement or any visas that demonstrate that you plan to visit another country.
Travel with or by Children
If a person younger than 18 is travelling alone or with only one parent or another adult, we recommend that a consent letter be carried proving that the trip is permitted by the custodial parent (or both parents or the legal guardian, as the case may be). For an example of a consent letter, refer to “Frequently Asked Questions” in the “Before You Go” section of our website.
Make sure you and/or the child carry proper identification, such as birth certificates, baptismal certificates, passports, citizenship cards, records of landing and certificates of Indian status. Identification could also include any documents, such as divorce papers or custody court orders, that might be required by the country you intend to visit. These documents will help prove your citizenship, residency and custodial rights when you return to Canada.
If you or your partner are travelling to another country with your child and there is a possibility that a custody dispute might develop, you should talk to a lawyer before the child leaves home. Our publication International Child Abductions: A Manual for Parents contains further information.
Your child custody arrangements in Canada may not be recognized in another country. In extreme cases, you or your child may not be allowed to leave that country. Check your status with that country’s embassy or consulate in Canada before you travel. If you have custody questions, contact Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Consular Case Management Division at 1-800-387-3124 (in Canada) or 613-943-1055.
For further advice, see our fact sheet Tips for Travelling with Children.
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Travel with a Same-Sex Spouse
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, they are not recognized in many countries. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. In addition, homosexual activity is a criminal offence in certain countries. Consult our Country Travel Reports or the destination country’s embassy or consulate in Canada for specific information.
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Women Travelling Solo
Our booklet Her Own Way: A Woman’s Guide to Safe and Successful Travel provides specific information for females, including those who travel alone.
Dual Citizenship
Canadian law permits a Canadian to have more than one nationality. However, your Canadian citizenship may not be recognized in the country of your second citizenship, and authorities of that country may prevent Canada from providing you with consular assistance. This situation is especially likely if you do not use your Canadian passport to enter that country due to personal choice or legal requirements.
If you are considered a national of another country, you may be compelled to do military service, required to pay special taxes or subject to increased scrutiny by immigration and security officials.
To avoid unpleasant surprises, confirm whether you, your spouse or any other family member is a citizen of another country.
Where permitted by the laws of the country in question, the Government of Canada encourages Canadians to use their Canadian passport when travelling abroad and to present themselves as Canadians to foreign authorities.
If you have questions or concerns regarding dual citizenship, contact the nearest Canadian government office or refer to our booklet Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know.
Persons with a Disability
Many countries do not provide access to people in wheelchairs or make allowances for those with special hearing, visual or other requirements. Detailed information on international travel by disabled persons can be found under “Frequently Asked Questions” in the “Before You Go” section of our website.
TRAVEL TO THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO |
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Getting Medical Advice
(Provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada)
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include obtaining sound medical advice before you travel. Contact a travel medicine clinic or your physician four to six weeks before departure to determine your need for vaccinations, preventive medication and advice on precautions you can take to avoid disease while travelling.
Vaccination, Preventive Medication and Personal Protective Measures
International travel can expose you to infectious diseases not frequently seen in Canada. Based on your current health status, immunization history and anticipated itinerary, a health-care provider can assess your individual health risks (called a “risk assessment”) and advise you on vaccination requirements, your need for preventive medication (e.g., for malaria) and personal protective measures. Ensure that your routine immunizations—tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), polio, measles, mumps and rubella—are up-to-date. Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required to enter some countries.
Seek a risk assessment well in advance of your departure date, as you may need vaccinations or preventive medication a month or two beforehand. If you are travelling with infants or small children, you may need to arrange an alternative or accelerated childhood immunization schedule for them. For a list of travel medicine clinics in Canada, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health website.
AIDS
Some countries require proof of HIV testing. Have the test conducted and obtain the results before your trip.
Medication
If you take medication, be sure to pack an extra supply in case you are away for longer than expected. Carry a duplicate of your original prescription, listing both the generic and trade names of the product, in case your medication is lost or stolen. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, having the prescription will make it easier to replace them if needed.
Do not try to save luggage space by combining medications into one container. Keep all medications in the original, labelled container to avoid customs problems.
Some medications that are sold over the counter in Canada are illegal or require a prescription in other countries. Find out whether your medication is legally available in the country you plan to visit. For travel to some countries, it is advisable to obtain a note from your doctor, stating the medical reasons for your prescription and the recommended dosage.
If you need syringes for a medical condition, such as diabetes, it is important to take along an adequate supply. You should also carry a medical certificate that indicates the syringes are for medical use.
Supplemental Health Insurance
Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad. At best, your health plan will cover only a portion of the bill. It is your responsibility to obtain and understand the terms of your supplementary travel insurance policy.
Some credit card companies offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume that coverage is automatically included or that the card alone provides adequate coverage. Some companies charge an additional premium for travel coverage. Others require that you pay for your travel arrangements using that card. Verify the conditions, limitations and requirements before departure.
Be sure to ask whether your policy:
- Has an in-house, worldwide emergency hotline you can call if you are in trouble. Find out whether it operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week; if the operators are multilingual; and whether nurses or physicians are on staff.
- Pays foreign hospital and related medical costs and, if so, whether it pays up front or expects you to pay and be reimbursed later.
- Provides for medical evacuation to Canada or the nearest location with appropriate medical care.
- Pays for a medical escort (doctor or nurse) to accompany you during evacuation. This service can cost as much as $100,000 if it is not included.
- Covers pre-existing medical conditions. Notify your insurance company and get an agreement in writing that you are covered for such conditions. Otherwise, you could find your claim “null and void” under a pre-existing condition clause.
- Covers premature births and related neonatal care.
- Allows for cash advances if a doctor or hospital requires immediate payment.
- Pays for the preparation and return of your remains to Canada if you die while abroad. Otherwise, this service can cost as much as $10,000.
Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or a relative at home and a travelling companion how to contact your insurer.
Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you leave the country. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to get the proper paperwork from thousands of kilometres away. Always remember to submit original receipts for medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. Keep a copy of the submitted documents for your files.
Extended Stay Abroad
Your provincial health insurance plan will become invalid if you live outside the province beyond a certain length of time. This period varies by province. Personal medical insurance is available for those working, studying or living outside Canada for an extended period. Coverage is available for both the contracted individual and dependants. These insurance plans consist of full accident and sickness coverage, including emergency medical evacuation and war risk. Many companies have changed their terms and conditions related to terrorist acts, war and civil unrest. Check with your insurer before you leave Canada.
Other Insurance
You may also want to purchase a travel insurance package that includes flight cancellation, trip interruption and/or lost luggage coverage. Doing so can avoid major disruptions and additional costs. Again, check the terms and conditions of these policies.
Travelling by Car
Keep in mind that each country has its own driving regulations. In some countries, a driver may be questioned and/or detained by police following even a minor accident. You may be required to obtain an International Driving Permit and/or additional insurance to drive a vehicle in another country. For further information, consult the Country Travel Reports on our website or the Canadian Automobile Association.
Money Matters
Canadian currency and traveller’s cheques are not always accepted. Before you leave Canada, consult a bank or foreign currency agent to find out the most appropriate currency to carry.
It is always a good idea to have a small amount of local currency on hand when you arrive, unless importing local currency is a crime. There may be restrictions on the amount of money you can take into or out of the destination country. Check currency regulations with your travel agent or the country’s embassy or consulate in Canada.
Be aware that your debit or credit card may not be accepted abroad. 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.
Before departure, make arrangements to obtain additional funds if needed. Foreign travel is often more expensive than expected.
Canadian Taxation Status
If you are living, working or travelling abroad but maintain residential ties in Canada, you are usually considered a “factual resident” of Canada for taxation purposes. However, there may be other factors involved, so review your situation with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) before you leave to avoid surprises. For details, see the CRA publication Canadian Residents Abroad (T4131).
Avoiding Customs Difficulties
Before taking valuable items abroad, you can use a free identification service at any office of the Canada Border Services Agency ( CBSA). For more information, see the CBSA pamphlet I Declare.
Transport of Dangerous Goods
Passengers are not permitted to transport dangerous goods aboard aircraft in carry-on luggage, in checked baggage or on their person. Be especially aware of new restrictions on liquids, gels and aerosols packed in carry-on luggage. Only medicinal products, toiletry articles and alcoholic beverages (in retail packaging) are allowed. Their containers cannot exceed 100 ml and must fit in a single clear, closed, re-sealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of one litre. Consult your airline or Transport Canada’s website to find out what you can and cannot take with you.
On the Road
Taking Precautions
The same rules apply abroad as at home, only more so. Foreigners are usually at greater risk than locals. In many countries, foreigners are specifically targeted. Be sure not to wander into unknown areas—find out how safe they are first. Do not pick up hitchhikers or cross borders with people you have just met. Watch your luggage and make sure it is locked. Never take anything, even an envelope, across a border for someone else.
Do not display large amounts of money or expensive jewellery in public. Use a money belt or a case with concealed sections for valuables.
Remember to telephone home, particularly if you have promised family members or friends that you will do so. We receive thousands of calls every year from worried family members or friends who have not received a promised call.
Keep a separate record of your traveller’s cheques and credit cards. Never carry your passport, travel tickets, identification documents, cash, credit cards and insurance papers together. If you do so, you risk being left with no identification or funds in case of theft or loss.
Use the safety deposit box at your hotel. Never leave valuables in your room.
Foreign Laws and Customs
When travelling or living in a foreign country, familiarize yourself with the way of life there. Respect that country’s laws, religions, culture, class structure and economic conditions. Although you may not agree with some of the country’s beliefs, remember that you are a visitor.
In many countries, appropriate attire for both sexes is very important and may even be legislated. Penalties for disobeying local laws can be severe.
Be especially respectful of temples, mosques, churches, synagogues and other religious sites. Many are off limits to foreigners or people who are not members of that faith. Ask permission before taking photographs of religious artifacts, buildings or local people.
Never take photographs of military facilities, a harbour where naval vessels are docked or industrial installations such as oil refineries. Your film and camera could be confiscated, and you could even come under suspicion of espionage.
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Illegal Drugs
Drug use and trafficking are prohibited in all countries, even though drugs may be readily available and openly used in some areas. Most countries impose heavy fines and long prison sentences for possession and trafficking. In some countries, possession of even small amounts of drugs carries a prison sentence. Never take any parcel that is not yours across a border.
Choose your travel companions wisely. Never cross a border with a hitchhiker or as a hitchhiker. Although you may not be carrying anything illegal, your companions may be. For details, consult the Drugs and Travel section of our website.
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Crime and Punishment
Thousands of Canadians are currently imprisoned abroad for a wide range of offences. The laws and customs of other countries can be very different from those in Canada, and ignorance is no defence when a crime is committed.
While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws and regulations. Your Canadian citizenship offers no immunity.
Due to recent changes in Canadian law, Canadians may be prosecuted in Canadian courts for certain acts committed against significant cultural sites and objects outside Canada. In addition to foreign laws protecting cultural heritage, Canadian law now prohibits the illegal export of cultural objects from certain countries, whether or not the object is brought to Canada. For more information, consult www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/travel.
If you find yourself in trouble, Canadian consular officials abroad can provide a list of lawyers with the necessary expertise, contact your family and friends and ensure you receive fair treatment according to the standards of that country. They cannot, however, wield any influence to reduce your sentence or fine.
Judicial Process
Never assume that the legal system of another country is the same as at home. “Innocent until proven guilty” is not a universal principle.
In certain countries, you may not have a right to legal representation or to a trial in your own language.
Some countries do not recognize or respect religious freedom; freedom of association, speech or the press; or equality of the sexes. For instance, guilt by association is often presumed, and you may be charged just for being in the company of a person suspected or found guilty of a crime.
Even if you are an innocent bystander at a riot or demonstration, you may be considered a participant and be rounded up with those involved.
If you do find yourself in legal trouble, contact the nearest Canadian Government Office at once. If you cannot do so yourself, have someone else do it for you.
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Coming Home
Departure Tax
Some countries impose a departure tax or service fee at the airport or point of departure. Before leaving, make sure you set aside enough money in local funds to pay this tax. See the Country Travel Reports on our website for more information.
Canadian Customs and Import Controls
If you have been away from Canada for 24 hours or more, you may bring back goods worth up to C$50, not including alcohol and tobacco products, without paying duties or taxes. If the goods you bring in are worth more than C$50 in total, you cannot claim this exemption. In this case, you have to pay full duties on all goods you bring in.
If you have been away from Canada for 48 hours or more, you may bring back goods worth up to C$400 without paying duties or taxes. These goods can include alcoholic beverages and tobacco products as follows: up to 1.14 litres (40 oz.) of liquor or 1.5 litres (53 oz.) of wine, or a case of 24 bottles or cans of beer or ale, each containing 355 ml (12 oz.). As for tobacco, you may bring back up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or cigarillos, 200 tobacco sticks and 200 grams (7 oz.) of manufactured tobacco.
Tobacco products included in a personal exemption are still subject to a minimum duty unless they are marked “Canada-Duty Paid—Droit acquitté.”
If you have been away from Canada for seven days or more, you may bring back goods worth up to C$750 without paying duties or taxes. These goods can include alcoholic beverages and tobacco products as described above. Note that provincial age restrictions apply to liquor and tobacco products.
When calculating the number of days you are absent, do not include the date you leave Canada, but do include the date you return.
If you have any questions about what you can bring home, call the Border Information Service Line of the Canada Border Services Agency.
Be Aware and Declare
You must declare all items purchased or acquired abroad, whether they are intended for yourself or as gifts, as well as goods bought at a Canadian or foreign duty-free store. Keep your original receipts for possible inspection.
The booklet I Declare (BSF5056), published by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), describes what you can and cannot bring back to Canada if you have been away for less than a year. After a stay abroad of more than a year, there are special import provisions for household items and personal belongings. Information is contained in the CBSA brochure Moving Back to Canada (RC4105).
For information on importing a vehicle, contact the CBSA.
Illegal Souvenirs
There are restrictions on bringing certain goods into Canada. If you are considering bringing back meat, eggs, dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, animals or products made from their skins or feathers, contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) beforehand for guidance—it could save you a lot of trouble. For accurate and timely information on import requirements, consult the CFIA Automated Import Reference System.
For information on importing weapons, contact the Canada Firearms Centre.
There are more than 30,000 species of wild animals and plants regulated under the Convention on Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). A violation of CITES could lead to seizure of your purchase, as well as a fine and/or prison term. Contact Environment Canada for details.
Also, be aware that it may be illegal to bring home cultural property, such as antiques or fossils, whose sale or export is banned or controlled by the country of origin. Strict penalties may be imposed, and cultural property may be confiscated and returned to the country of origin. For more information, contact Canadian Heritage or the embassy of the country you are visiting.
Health Concerns
If you become sick or feel unwell after returning to Canada, you should see your doctor. Inform the doctor, without being asked, that you have been travelling or living outside Canada and where you have been. If you were ill while travelling, also see your doctor upon return and explain your travel history and any treatment you received.
Traveller's Checklist
Help ensure a safe and problem-free trip by taking these steps before leaving Canada:
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Consular Services
Consular Affairs Bureau
www.voyage.gc.ca
General
Tel.: 1-800-267-6788 (in Canada and the U.S.) or 613-944-6788
TTY: 1-800-394-3472 (in Canada and the U.S.) or 613-944-1310
E-mail: voyage@international.gc.ca
Emergencies
Tel.: 613-996-8885
(call collect from abroad where available)
E-mail: sos@international.gc.ca
The Consular Affairs Bureau publishes, in both official languages, a series of safe travel brochures.
Country Travel Reports provide information on safety and security conditions, health issues and entry requirements for approximately 200 travel destinations. This information is also available by telephone: 1-800-267-6788 (in Canada and the U.S.) or 613-944-6788.
Canadian government offices abroad
www.voyage.gc.ca/alt/canoffices.asp
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Publication Info
Published by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Information in this publication is readily available for personal and public non-commercial use and may be reproduced, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. We ask only that:
- Users exercise due diligence in ensuring the accuracy of the materials reproduced;
- Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada be identified as the source department; and
- the reproduction not be represented as an official version of the materials reproduced, nor as having been made in affiliation with or with the endorsement of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
All information in this publication is provided on an “as is” basis without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada makes all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in this publication is accurate. The reader is also encouraged to supplement this information with independent research and professional advice.
This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.
To obtain more information or free copies of this publication, write to:
Enquiries Service
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2
Tel.: 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada) or 613-944-4000
E-mail: enqserv@international.gc.ca
We would like to receive your comments on this publication. Write to us at the address above or
e-mail us at voyage@international.gc.ca.
