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1. RECENT UPDATES Minor editorial change has been made to Sections 1 and 12 (Kosovo) of this Travel Report. For more information on KOSOVO, see Section 12. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country. Talks are continuing on the future status of Kosovo, including at the UN Security Council. Although the security situation remains stable, there are still concerns that it could deteriorate, particularly in Kosovo. Several demonstrations and political gatherings have been held, mostly in Mitrovica, Pristina and Belgrade. Canadians are strongly advised to avoid all demonstrations and political gatherings and to stay away from areas where they will occur, as they may turn violent without warning. Sporadic violence, including attacks on UN offices and businesses frequented by foreigners, has been reported since talks on the future political status of Kosovo entered their final phase in February 2007. Any unattended bag, suspicious device, or anything out of the ordinary should be immediately reported to the appropriate local authorities. The UN has advised its staff to check under and around their vehicles before they are driven. While the security situation in Kosovo is stabilized at this time, Canadians are advised to exercise caution when travelling outside of Pristina. Canadians should also be cautious while in the border area with Kosovo and avoid all areas of security forces activity along the southern border. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Several demonstrations and political gatherings have been held, mostly in Mitrovica, Pristina and Belgrade. Canadians are strongly advised to avoid all demonstrations and political gatherings and to stay away from areas where they will occur, as they may turn violent without warning. Unexploded landmines may remain along the Kosovo border. Canadians should exercise caution. The incidence of street crime is similar to that elsewhere in Europe, particularly in large urban centres. Pick-pocketing may occur on public transportation and in other public places. Foreigners may be targeted by thieves. Four-wheel-drive and luxury vehicles are targeted by car thieves more than other models. Exercise caution and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secured, particularly on public transportation and in large crowds or public markets. Do not show signs of affluence or carry large sums of money. Use common sense in determining the need to drive with car windows closed and doors locked. Carry your passport at all times. For emergency assistance dial 92 for the police, 93 for the fire department and 94 for ambulance service. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Serbian authorities and was valid on April 10, 2007. Entry and exit requirements are different for KOSOVO (Section 12). However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. 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. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of Serbia and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Serbia and should be valid for the duration of their stay. Tourist Visa: Not required Business Visa: Not required Student Visa: Not required Canadians travelling to Serbia do not require visas for stays of up to 90 days. For stays of over 90 days, visas must be obtained from the Embassy of Serbia prior to departure. If in Serbia, Canadians should go to the police station to ask for an extension. The Ministry of the Interior does not extend visas issued abroad to dual or possible dual nationals. In most cases, dual nationals must leave the country and obtain a new visa before they are allowed to return. Upon arrival, all visitors with large amounts of cash or jewellery must obtain and complete a stamped customs declaration for all imported currency and valuables. Failure to produce the stamped declaration upon departure will result in delays and/or seizure of all currency and valuables. Canadians staying in private dwellings must register with local police within 24 hours of their arrival. Failure to do so may result in a fine, incarceration, and/or expulsion from the country. Travellers should obtain an entry and exit stamp in their passport when they enter and leave Serbia. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. 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. 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. A new EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried has been implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult http://ec.europa.eu/eucashcontrols. 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. 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. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Serbia - BELGRADE, Embassy of Canada Address: Kneza Milosa 75, 11000 Belgrade Tel.: 381 (11) 306-3000 After hours tel.: 381 (11) 306-3050 Fax: 381 (11) 306-3042 E-Mail: bgrad@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/serbia/ The Visa section in Belgrade operates normally for non-immigrant cases (visitors, temporary workers, and students). Immigration cases are processed by the Embassy of Canada in Vienna, Austria. For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Belgrade and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Serbia are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Serbia to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Serbian authorities. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. Penalties for use of illegal drugs can result in long jail sentences and heavy fines. Canadians with ties to Serbia who hold Yugoslav citizenship may no longer be subject to forced conscription due to changes in regulations. Such persons should check with the Embassy or a consulate of Serbia prior to travelling to ensure that their draft status has been resolved. The obligations pertaining to compulsory military service remain the same as before for permanent residents of Canada who do not have Canadian citizenship. Photography of military or police installations, vehicles, and personnel is prohibited. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Public transportation is old and overcrowded. Use only officially marked taxis and pre-negotiate fares if a meter is not in use. Periodic disruptions of bus and international rail services could occur without warning. Secondary roads are often narrow and poorly maintained. The Ibarska Magistrala road is dangerous due to poor road conditions and traffic congestion. Expect delays due to road construction and occasional roadblocks set up by striking workers along both major and minor routes. Roadside assistance is available by calling 987. Drivers of vehicles bearing foreign licence plates must pay for compulsory third-party Green Card insurance. Road tolls may be paid in local currency. The posted speed limits are strictly enforced. There have been incidents where police target vehicles with foreign plates, often demanding immediate cash payment for alleged traffic violations. If stopped, Canadians should request a full explanation and, if an explanation is not forthcoming, request permission to speak to the Embassy of Canada in Belgrade (see Section 5 above). Always carry identification and vehicle registration papers. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. The economy is largely cash-based. The currency is the new Serbian dinar (CSD). Cash and traveller's cheques exceeding 5,000 euros must be declared upon entry into the country, and a customs declaration must be presented upon departure. Banking facilities are limited, but ATM machines are spreading rapidly throughout the country and provide the easiest access to local currency. Traveller's cheques (American Express) are honoured at only a few banks in Belgrade, including the Eksimbanka, Komercijalna Banka AD, ProCredit Bank, Raiffaissen Bank, Société Générale Bank, and the Vojvodjanska Banka. More and more hotels, restaurants, and shops accept credit cards. Travellers are advised to carry moderate amounts of cash in euros or U.S. dollars. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE Serbia is located in an active seismic zone. BACK TO TOP 9. 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 continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) 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. For more information, see our Current Issues on Avian Influenza. 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. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Carry a sufficient supply of medications, as shortages of prescription medicine are common outside major cities. Medical care is not up to Western standards. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist 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. See Canada's Health Portal. 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. Adoption: 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. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX KOSOVO Kosovo
Since June 1999, Kosovo has been under the administrative control of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). For more information on ongoing talks to determine the future political status of Kosovo, tune in to KFOR radio (96.6 FM), which is the official radio channel for NATO's peacekeeping force in Kosovo. Sporadic violence, including attacks on UN offices and businesses frequented by foreigners, has been reported since talks on the future political status of Kosovo resumed. Any unattended bag, suspicious device, or anything out of the ordinary should be immediately reported to the appropriate local authorities. The UN has advised its staff to check under and around their vehicles before they are driven. While the security situation in Kosovo is stabilized at this time, Canadians are advised to exercise caution when travelling outside of Pristina. International explosive ordnance disposal teams have cleared all major routes and population centres, in addition to marking remaining sites known to contain mines or other unexploded ordnance (UXO). However, unexploded landmines may remain along the Albania-Kosovo border. UXO, particularly cluster bombs, is a problem throughout rural areas but can also be found elsewhere, including urban areas. Off-road travel and hiking in wooded areas can be dangerous. Exercise vigilance and risk-avoidance strategies. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Kosovo. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the province. Canadian visitors do not require a visa to enter Kosovo. As of July 1, 2005, those travelling by road from Serbia will be asked to provide proof of the purpose of their visit to Kosovo at the checkpoint between Serbia and Kosovo. Some categories of travellers will be exempted, for example holders of a Serbian ID card. Canadians intending to stay for more than 90 days must apply for an extension of stay to a police officer at a designated UNMIK police station. Travellers should pay careful attention to the fact that Serbia does not recognize entry points direct from Kosovo or those on Kosovo's external borders with Albania or Macedonia. Therefore, Canadian travellers who wish to travel from Kosovo to Serbia must transit via a third country unless they already have a valid Serbian entry stamp in their passport. The only option available to travellers who wish to make the journey from Kosovo to Serbia by road is to transit via Macedonia. A visa to enter or return to Macedonia must be obtained before visiting Kosovo at the Macedonian Commercial - Economic Representative Office in Pristina at the following address: Str. 24 Maj No. 121, Pristina, Kosovo (Tel: 381 38 247 462, Fax: 381 38 247 463). Working hours are Monday to Friday from 11:00-12:00. It is recommended that any Canadian travelling to Kosovo obtain a Macedonian multiple-entry visa in the event of an emergency road departure from Kosovo. Tourist Visa: Not required Business Visa: Not required Student Visa: Not required You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Serbia - BELGRADE, Embassy of Canada Address: Kneza Milosa 75, 11000 Belgrade Tel.: 381 (11) 306-3000 After hours tel.: 381 (11) 306-3050 Fax: 381 (11) 306-3042 E-Mail: bgrad@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/serbia/ Third-party automobile insurance is mandatory and can be purchased upon entry into Kosovo. Visitors can enter and leave Kosovo by road or through Pristina airport. Travel to Mitrovica North may be restricted and requires approval from UNMIK. There are no acceptable train services. The currency used throughout Kosovo is the euro (EUR). BACK TO TOP |
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