For a Canadian citizen, a valid passport, regardless of your destination, is always recommended for travel outside Canada . Some countries even require that your passport is valid six months after your planned return. Other destinations may only require an original proof of citizenship along with government-issued photo identification. It is the traveler’s responsibility to obtain and carry the correct documentation for entry into other countries and re-entry into Canada .

Before you travel, you should check if a visa is required by the country you are visiting. A visa is a stamp in your passport permitting you to enter a specific country for a determined amount of time and number of times. We can tell you what is required for your visa and help you obtain one. Plan to request these documents well in advance of your trip. Since processing times vary from days to weeks.

For passport processing times, an online application and other passport information see the Passport Office Web site:

    http://www.ppt.gc.ca

For information on entry requirements to other countries see the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Web site:

    http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/intro-en.asp

For information on the Permanent Resident Card if you are not a Canadian Citizen, see the Citizenship and Immigration Web site:

    http://www.cic.gc.ca