Canadian Consular Services

The Consular Affairs Bureau provides assistance to Canadians who are travelling, working or living abroad. The Bureau helps Canadians prepare for foreign travel and provides a variety of services once abroad.

Eligibility Criteria

Canadian public in or outside Canada.

Eligible Area

These services are available in all Canadian provinces and in over 180 countries.

Eligible Activities

Assistance needed while travelling, working or living abroad.

Summary

Consulates

"Consular" is the word used to describe the services that a country provides for its citizens abroad.

Hours of Operation

Canada's consular services operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through a network of over 270 service points around the world. The 270 offices, located in over 180 countries, include embassies, high commissions, consulates, honorary consulates and development offices. In some places, Australian diplomatic officers provide consular services to Canadians.

Before Leaving Canada

Before leaving Canada, you may wish to visit the Consular Affairs'  Web site to obtain safe travel advice and information on your country of destination. The Country Travel Reports, available on-line, contain up-to-date information on current conditions in over 225 foreign destinations, including security and health issues, as well as visa requirements.

Getting Assistance Once You Are Abroad

If you have a problem once you are overseas, contact a Foreign Affairs office. The addresses and telephone numbers are also listed in the publication Bon Voyage, But ...The offices can be reached by telephone, by fax, by mail or via the Internet. Through one of the world's most sophisticated communications and computer systems, they can communicate with you, no matter what the time of day or your location. During non-office hours, telephone calls to an office of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (FAITC) will be transferred automatically to a consular officer in Ottawa, or you will be asked to leave a message on an answering machine. In either case, there will be a prompt response. In case of emergency and if you can not reach a local office, you can make a collect call to the Consular Affairs in Ottawa.

Services Offered

Just a few of the services offered:

• help during such emergencies as natural disasters or civil and military uprisings;
• direct you to sources of information about local laws, regulations, cultural customs and how to obtain visas;
• assist with medical emergencies;
• replace passports and take citizenship applications;
• ensure equitable treatment under local laws if you are arrested, inform relatives and friends, if requested, and assist in ensuring that your legal rights as provided locally are protected;
• notify next of kin regarding accidents or deaths and keep them informed; and
• locate missing persons.

Publications

The consular communications products include a series of publications on safe travel and travel reports for over 225 destinations worldwide. They contain practical advice and valuable information on foreign travel as well as the list of Canadian missions worldwide. These publications can also be picked up from passport offices and travel agencies across Canada or from Consular Affairs offices overseas.

New Brunswick Contact(s):
See National Contact.

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National Contact(s):
Country Travel Reports and General Information
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (FAITC)
Telephone: 613-944-6788
Fax: 613-996-9709
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-6788 (in Canada and the U.S.)
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-394-3472 (in Canada and the U.S.)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-1310
E-mail: voyage@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp

Emergencies Operations Centre
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (FAITC)
Telephone: 613-996-8885 (Canadian citizens outside Canada can call collect where available).
Fax: 613-943-1054
Toll-free (information): For calls originating in Canada, call 1-800-267-6788 or 613-944-6788.
International Toll-Free numbers: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/foreign/toll_numbers-en.asp
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-394-3472 (in Canada and the U.S.)
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-1310
E-mail: sos@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp
Hours of operation: The Emergencies Operations Centre operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Enquiries Service
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0G2
Telephone: 613-944-4000
Fax: 613-996-9709
Toll-free (information): 1-800-267-8376
TTY (hearing impaired): 613-944-9136
E-mail: enqserv@international.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.international.gc.ca/menu-en.asp