Common menu bar links
|
Last Updated:
June 15, 2007 15:36
EDT
Still Valid: November 15, 2007 22:53 EST |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1. INTRODUCTION AND GEOGRAPHY Section 4 has been updated. Djibouti (capital: Djibouti) is located in northeast Africa, bordered by Eritrea, the Red Sea, Somalia, and Ethiopia. Tourist facilities and services are limited. The official languages are Arabic and French. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS See our Current Issues for information on Avian Influenza. There is no Official Warning for this country. Although the general political climate is stable since the violent protests that took place in the capital, following controversial presidential elections in early April 2005, further demonstrations and unrest can occur. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Although Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada does not warn against travel to this country or region(s) of this country, Canadians are encouraged to register with the responsible Canadian government office due to the security situation and/or the absence of Canadian representation in this country. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. 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. Street crime occurs. You should exercise caution when travelling to remote areas of the country, including the borders with Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia. The presence of Djiboutian security forces is limited in these areas. Do not show signs of affluence and ensure personal belongings and travel documents are secure. You should always carry identification, preferably a certified true copy of your passport's identification page. Avoid walking alone after dark. As terrorist attacks in Kenya demonstrate, the possibility for further attacks on civilian targets puts Canadians at increased risk in east Africa, including Djibouti. You should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times and in all places. Exercise appropriate caution, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping areas. Canadians should monitor local developments, avoid demonstrations, as well as register and remain in regular contact with the Consulate of Canada in Djibouti (see below). Overland travel should be undertaken only during daylight hours in a convoy of four-wheel-drive vehicles equipped with sufficient water. Canadians should contact the Embassy of Canada in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Consulate of Canada in Djibouti (see below), or local authorities for the latest security information prior to overland travel. Modern tourist facilities and communications networks are limited in the city of Djibouti and scarce in many outlying areas. Outside the capital, cell phone coverage is often unavailable, making it difficult to call to authorities for help in case of emergency. Because of their isolation, avoid visiting the beaches of Dorale and Khor Ambado late in the afternoon. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Djiboutian authorities and was valid on 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 the Republic of Djibouti and its consulate, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Djibouti. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa. Tourist Visa: Required Business Visa: Required Student Visa: Required (A tourist visa is issued to students) Proof of yellow fever immunization is required for those arriving from infected areas. A US$20 airport tax is charged upon departure. 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. 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. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Djibouti - DJIBOUTI, Consulate of Canada Address: Place Lagarde, Djibouti Postal Address: P.O. Box 1188, Djibouti, Djibouti Tel.: 25 (3) 35-38-59 or 35-59-50 Fax: 25 (3) 35-00-14 E-Mail: georgalis@intnet.dj The Embassy of Canada in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has consular responsibility for Djibouti. The address is as follows: Ethiopia - ADDIS ABABA, Embassy of Canada Address: Old Airport Area, Nefas Silk Lafto Sub City, Kebele 04, House No.122, Addis Ababa Postal Address: P.O. Box 1130, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel.: 251 (0) 11-371-3022 Fax: 251 (0) 11-371-3033 E-Mail: addis@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.ethiopia.gc.ca For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and follow the instructions. You may also wish to call 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. 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. Islamic practices and beliefs are part of the country's customs, laws, and regulations. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. Visitors should dress conservatively and respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. It is forbidden to produce, display publicly or sell any object, image, film or audio-visual recording considered contrary to accepted standards of behaviour. The prohibition on the use of drugs must be respected. Consumption of alcohol is authorised, but public displays of drunkenness could result in a two-year prison term. Homosexuality is illegal. Strict regulations may be enforced on the temporary import or export of firearms. Canadians should contact the Embassy of the Republic of Djibouti in Washington (see below) for specific information regarding customs requirements. Hunting is forbidden by law. Photography of military installations is prohibited. Ask permission before photographing individuals, especially women wearing the veil. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Drivers and pedestrians should exercise caution in the capital. Do not travel after dark. Streets are narrow and poorly maintained, and lack adequate lighting. Local driving habits, pedestrians, roaming livestock, and excessive speeds pose additional risks. Major roads are paved but often lack guardrails. Police may set up roadblocks of wire coils, which may be difficult to see at night. Railway crossings are not well indicated. In the event of an accident, the driver should wait until the police arrive on the scene. Since the operating gas stations are located at a considerable distance from one another (mostly in the cities of Djibouti, Ali Sabieh, Dikhil, Tadjoura and Obock), travelers should ensure they have sufficient fuel provisions in reserve before undertaking long routes. While Djibouti has been declared a “mine-safe” country, you should stay on paved roads, particularly in the northern districts of Tadjoureh and Obock as well as the Ali Sabieh district in the south, where mines have been found in the past. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. Intercity public travel is limited to bus and ferry services between Djibouti and the towns of Tadjoureh and Obock. Buses are poorly maintained and driven erratically. You should avoid travel by road or rail to Djibouti. There have been acts of sabotage and derailment on the Djibouti-Ethiopia railway. Piracy can occur in Djiboutian coastal waters. Mariners should take appropriate precautions. Whenever possible, transit in trafficked sea-lanes. When sailing in and around the Horn of Africa, in the southern part of the Red Sea near the coasts of Yemen and in the Gulf of Aden, vessels should convoy in groups and maintain good communications at all times. The Yemeni Coast Guard 24-hour Operations Centre can be contacted in case of emergency at 967-1562-402. For additional information, see the Weekly Piracy Report published by the Commercial Crime Services division of the International Chamber of Commerce. The currency is the Djiboutian franc (DJF). Credit cards are accepted only by airline companies and some major hotels. Traveller's cheques in U.S. dollars can be cashed at banks. There are only a few ATMs. They are frequently broken and should not be depended upon as the sole means for obtaining currency. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. 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. BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE The climate is very dry and hot from May to October. Several years of low rainfall caused severe drought conditions in most areas of Djibouti. This can affect travel and availability of basic supplies. 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 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. 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. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Medical facilities are limited in the capital and practically nonexistent in many outlying areas. Medicines are often unavailable and can be extremely expensive. The water is heavily chlorinated and could cause abdominal discomfort. Visitors should drink bottled water for the duration of their stay. The water outside main cities and towns could be potentially contaminated. 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. 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 N/A BACK TO TOP |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
