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Last Updated:
October 12, 2007 11:26
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Still Valid: November 15, 2007 23:14 EST |
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1. RECENT UPDATES A Travel Warning has been added to this report. Section 2 has been updated. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Eritrea
OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to Regional Warning
OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the following regions: a) Outside the city of Asmara: As of June 1st, 2006, all foreign nationals (including resident diplomats) are required to obtain a travel permit from the Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE) for any travel outside Asmara. Foreign nationals residing or working outside Asmara will also require a travel permit to travel outside their area of residence or work. Applications for travel permits will be processed by the Department of Protocol in Asmara and by Zonal Administration Offices (for foreign nationals working in other areas outside Asmara). Canadians should be aware that if they intend to travel outside Asmara, these new restrictions might severely affect their plans. If you do receive permission to travel outside Asmara and encounter difficulties, the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular assistance may be limited. Further information on these new regulations may be obtained from the Eritrean Department of Protocol. b) Border between Eritrea and Ethiopia: The border between Eritrea and Ethiopia is closed, and adjacent areas are part of a special security zone under the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. You are advised against all travel to this zone, which stretches 25 km north into Eritrea. In May 2004, an explosion occurred in the main square of Barentu. A strict no-fly zone is in effect between Eritrea and Ethiopia for all aircraft other than those of the United Nations. c) Border between Eritrea and Sudan: The border with Sudan remains closed and you are advised against all travel to the border area. You should not cross the border into Sudan. The situation in eastern Sudan remains unstable. Canadians in Eritrea should stay in close contact with the Consulate of Canada in Asmara (see Section 5 below). 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 It is the responsibility of individual travellers to make informed travel choices. The Government of Canada takes very seriously the safety and security of Canadians abroad and provides credible and timely advice in its Country Travel Reports. Situations vary from country to country, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense. 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. A border conflict with Ethiopia erupted in May 1998 and escalated into armed conflict in June 1998, February 1999, and May 2000. A cease-fire was reached in June 2000 and a peace agreement was signed on December 12, 2000. A United Nations peacekeeping force has been deployed to demarcate and patrol the disputed border. The decision of the Hague-Based Boundary Commission on the location of the border was announced in April 2002. However, demarcation of the border has been postponed a number of times and tensions remain high between Ethiopia and Eritrea. There is banditry and terrorist activity along the coastline north of Massawa and near the Djibouti border. Landmines are present in many areas and continue to cause occasional injuries and deaths. Exercise caution when travelling to remote areas or off main roads. Avoid walking/hiking in the countryside. Canadians should contact the Consulate of Canada in Asmara or the local authorities for the latest security and travel conditions. Street crime such as theft and robbery is rare in Asmara and other cities and towns. However, the risk of petty crimes against foreigners still exists. There are some reasonable tourism facilities available in Eritrea. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Eritrean authorities and was valid on March 28, 2007. 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 the State of Eritrea, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Eritrea. 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. Canadian-Eritrean dual nationals who enter Eritrea using their Eritrean passport or national identification card must obtain an exit visa before departing. You should be aware of possible delays in obtaining the exit visa (2-3 days). Tourist Visa: Required Business Visa: Required Official Visa: Required Transit Visa: Required Canadian-Eritrean dual nationals who enter Eritrea using their Canadian passport may be treated as Eritrean citizens. Canadian-Eritrean dual nationals must have Eritrean ID cards, or at least have applied for them, before they can receive an Eritrean visa on their Canadian passport. Canadian-Eritrean dual nationals who enter Eritrea must obtain an exit visa before departing. Exit visa applications can be denied, or delay travel plans, even for people who entered Eritrea legally. Canadian-Eritrean dual nationals may be required to complete national service obligations if they return to Eritrea. Travellers are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination if they are arriving from an infected area. There is an airport departure fee, which is payable in nakfas or U.S. dollars. 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. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Eritrea - ASMARA, Consulate of Canada Address: Abeneh Street 745, House No. 152/154, Tiravolo Postal Address: P.O. Box 3962, Asmara, Tel.: 291 (1) 18-64-90 and 18-19-40 Fax: 291 (1) 18-64-88 E-Mail: mkcca1@yahoo.com The High Commission of Canada in Nairobi, Kenya, has consular responsibility for Eritrea. The address is as follows: Kenya - NAIROBI, High Commission of Canada Address: Limuru Road, Gigiri, Nairobi Postal Address: P.O. Box 1013, Nairobi, 00621 Tel.: 254 (20) 366-3000 Fax: 254 (20) 366-3900 E-Mail: nrobi@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.nairobi.gc.ca For emergency assistance after hours call the High Commission of Canada in Nairobi 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 or death 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. Dual nationality is not legally recognized, which may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services. Canadians should travel using their Canadian passport and present themselves as Canadian to foreign authorities at all times. The Department publishes a booklet entitled Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality. Penalties for possession or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. You should dress conservatively and respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Avoid travel after dark in rural areas. There are paved roads between the major cities of Asmara, Massawa, Mendefera, Dekemhare, Barentu, and Keren, but roads leading to smaller villages are unpaved. Tourists entering Eritrea require a regular visa and can travel to all areas of the country. However, NGOs, UN employees and foreign government officials require special permits to visit certain parts of the country. You should check with the Ministry of Tourism before departing. Heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic poses hazards. Public transportation is often overcrowded, especially buses. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. A local driver's licence is also required to drive in Eritrea. You must present your valid Canadian driver's licence or your International Driving Permit (IDP) to obtain one. Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters. Mariners should take appropriate precautions. For additional information, see the Weekly Piracy Report published by the International Maritime Bureau. The currency is the nakfa (nfa). In February 2005, the Eritrean government introduced new financial controls requiring that all transactions in Eritrea be conducted in the national currency. The new regulation also says that foreign currencies must be exchanged at the national bank at the official rate, and all arriving travellers must declare in writing how much foreign currency they are importing. Credit cards are not accepted at most hotels, restaurants, shops, or other facilities. The Intercontinental Hotel in Asmara accepts credit cards. The Government of Eritrea expects that foreigners pay for their lodging in US dollars or Euros. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE The rainy season extends from June to September. During the rainy season, most areas of Eritrea are quite accessible, with the exception of western lowlands areas where there are no asphalted roads. You should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. Eritrea is located in an active seismic and volcano zone. Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the Consulate of Canada in Asmara in the event of an emergency (see Section 5 above). 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. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Medical facilities are very limited. Medicine is in short supply. Time is required to adjust to the high altitude and low oxygen levels. If you suffer from heart ailments or high blood pressure you should seek medical advice prior to travelling. 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 N/A BACK TO TOP |
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