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For up-to-date travel information on
Canada or any country in the world that you plan to visit, obtain the
Department of State's Consular Information Sheet. Consular Information
Sheets cover such matters as health conditions, unusual currency and entry
regulations, crime and security conditions, drug penalties, and areas of
instability. In addition, the State Department issues Travel Warnings when
we recommend Americans defer travel to a country because of unsafe
conditions. Travel Warnings are under continuous review by the Department
of State. Before you depart for a country that has a Travel Warning, make
certain that you have the most recent revision of the Warning. The
Department of State also issues Public Announcements as a means to
disseminate information quickly about relatively short-term and/or
trans-national conditions which would pose significant risks to the
security of American travelers.
Travel Information
How to Access Consular
Information Sheets, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements
Consular Information Sheets, Travel
Warnings and Public Announcements may be heard any time by dialing the
Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225 from a touchtone
phone. The recording is updated as new information becomes available. They
are also available at the 13 regional U.S. passport agencies, field
offices of the Department of Commerce, and U.S. embassies and consulates
abroad, or, by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope and indicating
the desired country to the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, Bureau of
Consular Affairs, Room 4811, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C.
20520-4818.
By Internet
Information about travel and
consular services is also available on the Internet's World Wide Web. The
address is http://travel.state.gov. Visitors to the web site will find
Travel Warnings, Public Announcements and Consular Information Sheets,
passport and visa information, travel publications, background on
international adoption and international child abduction services and
international legal assistance. There is also a link to the State
Department's main site on the Internet's World Wide Web with current
foreign affairs information. The address is: http://www.state.gov.
By Fax
From your fax machine, dial (202)
647-3000, using the handset as you would a regular telephone. The system
prompts you on how to proceed.
Consular Affairs Bulletin Board - CABB
If you have a personal computer,
modem and communication software, you can access the Consular Affairs
Bulletin Board (CABB). This service is free of charge. To view or download
the documents using a computer and modem, dial the CABB on (301) 946-4400.
The login is travel; the password is info.
Visas and Travel Documents
General
Visas are not required for U.S.
tourists entering Canada from the U.S. for stays up to 180 days. You will,
however, need (1) proof of your U.S. citizenship such as (a) your U.S.
passport or (b) original or certified copy of your birth certificate and
photo identification. (For information on obtaining a U.S. passport, check
with the nearest passport agency located at 13 locations throughout the
U.S.) If you are a naturalized citizen and do not have a passport, you
should travel with your naturalization certificate. A driver's license or
Social Security card is not valid proof of citizenship. All U.S. citizens
entering Canada from a third country must have a valid passport. Alien
permanent residents of the U.S. must present their Alien Registration
Card, commonly called the "Green Card." If you are a dual U.S./Canadian
citizen you should always present yourself as a Canadian citizen when
entering Canada. However, U.S. citizens should use their U.S. passports
when entering or leaving the United States.
Due to international concern over
child abduction, single parents, grandparents, or guardians traveling with
children often need proof of custody or notarized letters from the other
parent authorizing travel. (This is in addition to proof of citizenship as
explained above.) Any person under the age of 18 and traveling alone
should carry a letter from his/her parent or guardian authorizing the
trip. Travelers without such documentation may experience delays at the
port of entry.
For further information, including
information on student or business travel, visitors can contact the
Embassy of Canada at 501 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20001, (202)
682-1740 or the nearest Canadian consulate.
NAFTA and Information For Business Travelers
The North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) facilitates the cross border movement of business
persons who are citizens of member countries to the NAFTA. The provisions
of NAFTA do not replace Canada's provisions for temporary entry or for
immigration. A U.S. citizen can enter Canada under NAFTA provisions as a
business visitor, intra-company transferee, professional, or trader. Prior
to seeking entry into Canada under the NAFTA, it is advisable to call
Canada's Trade Info Line at 1-613-944-4000. Their fax number is (613)
944-9500. The Canadian government publication, Cross Border Movement of
Business Persons and the North American Free Trade Agreement, is available
from the Info Centre, Department of Foreign Affairs and International
Trade.
U.S. business people who are
crossing into Canada for a meeting, trade show, convention or exhibition
may be eligible for special treatment concerning the importation of
advertising materials, office materials and souvenirs. Revenue Canada and
Canada Customs have established criteria for duty-free and tax-free
importing of certain convention materials. Additional information is
available through the National Convention Services, Department of Revenue
Canada at (613) 946-0237.
NAFTA allows business persons to
engage in certain business activities without an employment authorization
- provided they otherwise comply with existing immigration requirements
applicable to temporary entry. Examples are conducting market research,
marketing products, negotiating contracts, or taking orders.
General Qualifying Criteria for Business Visitors
You may qualify as a business
visitor if you are a citizen of a member country; you are seeking entry
for business purposes; the proposed business activity is international in
scope; you have no intention of entering the labor market; and your
primary source of remuneration is outside of the country in which you are
seeking entry. In addition, the principal place of business and the
accrual of profits must remain outside of the country you are seeking to
enter.
U.S. Business Visitors Entering Canada
Business visitors seeking temporary
entry into Canada must meet the General Qualifying criteria listed above.
A business visitor may temporarily import certain goods duty-free. Goods
that qualify are professional equipment (tools of the trade), equipment
for the press or for radio or television broadcasters, cinematographic
equipment, goods for sports purposes, and goods for display.
Professionals
General Qualifying Criteria
Professionals are exempt from the
job-validation process normally required of individuals looking to enter a
foreign country's labor market. To qualify as a professional under the
NAFTA you must be a citizen of a member country. The occupation you are to
be engaged in must be listed in Appendix 1603.D.1 of the NAFTA; you must
be qualified to work in the occupation; and you must have pre-arranged
employment or a contracted agreement.
You will need to provide
documentation indicating the professional level activity to be carried
out, your job title, a summary of your job duties, the expected length of
stay, and the arrangement for remuneration.
U.S. professionals entering Canada
may apply for an Employment Authorization at any Canadian embassy,
consulate, or port of entry. When applying at the port of entry, no
written application is required and determination can be made at the time
of application. The processing fee for issuing employment authorization is
C$125. After admittance into Canada, a Social Insurance Number can be
obtained from a local Canada Employment Centre.
Intra Company Transferees
Intracompany transferees are
business persons employed by an enterprise who are seeking to render
services to a branch, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of that enterprise,
in a managerial or executive capacity or in a manner that involves
specialized knowledge. The total period of stay for a person employed in
an executive or managerial capacity cannot exceed seven years. The total
period of stay for a person employed in a capacity that requires
specialized knowledge cannot exceed five years.
Traders and Investors
An Application for an Employment
Authorization Form (Form IMM1295) must be completed at a Canadian embassy
or consulate prior to seeking entry. You will also be required to provide
information on your business by completing an Application for
Trader/Investor Status. There is a $125 processing fee (payable in
Canadian currency) for issuing employment authorizations. Upon arrival,
traders and investors should obtain a Social Insurance Number from a local
Canada Employment Centre.
In the event that you take up
permanent residence in Canada, you should be advised that U.S. citizens
residing abroad are required to file taxes with the Internal Revenue
Service. If you have any questions on tax liability or the submission of
tax forms, etc. you should contact the IRS located at 60 Queen Street,
Suite 201, Ottawa, Canada, K1P 5Y7, telephone (613) 563-1834 or fax (613)
230-1376.
Medical Advice
Insurance
Double check that your insurance
policy covers you during your time in Canada. Consider purchasing
supplemental or other insurance if your own policy is not enough. You may
wish to check with your health insurance company to ensure that your
policy includes coverage for medical evacuations to the United States as
well as escort to the United States, hospitalization abroad, premature
birth abroad, and other coverage for a beneficiary who is involved in an
accident or illness outside the United States. Carry details of your
insurance plan with you (and leave a copy with a relative or friend at
home).
Please note: The Social Security
Medicare Program does not provide for payment of hospital or medical
services outside the United States.
AIDS
U.S. citizen visitors are not
required to have an AIDS test prior to entering Canada.
Medication
If you are entering Canada with
prescription drugs and syringes used for medical reasons, be sure to keep
the medication in its original and labeled container to avoid problems.
Syringes should be accompanied by a medical certificate that shows they
are for medical use and should be declared to Canadian Customs officials.
It may also be wise to carry with you an extra prescription from your
doctor in the event your medication is lost or stolen and to attest to
your need to take such prescriptions.
Traveling by Car
U.S. citizens do not need to obtain
an international driver's license to drive in Canada. Your valid U.S.
license is good for trips in Canada as long as you are a visitor and are
actually resident in the U.S. Should you wish information on provincial
traffic laws, please contact the Department of Transport, Motor Vehicle
Division of the particular province you wish to visit. You may also
contact the American Automobile Association (AAA) or Canadian Automobile
Association (CAA) if you are a member. AAA members are covered by the CAA
while traveling in Canada. Be sure to carry proof of your car insurance.
ASSISTANCE
Register at the U.S. Embassy or
Consulate General
If you will be in Canada for three
months or more, you may wish to formally register at the U.S. Embassy or
nearest U.S. Consulate General.
Consular Assistance
Please dial 1-800 529-4410 for
information on how to reach each U.S. consular section in Canada to report
the death, injury, or arrest of an American citizen. Recordings specific
to each Consulate General provide guidance on how to reach a duty officer
after hours as well. The 800 line service also provides valuable
information regarding U.S. passport issuance in Canada, registration of
births for U.S. citizens born in Canada, claims to U.S. citizenship,
notary services, tax information, voting procedures, Social Security, U.S.
Customs, and travel safety information. This service requires a touchtone
phone.
Wiring Money
In the event you encounter a
financial emergency, your relatives or friends can wire you money in
Canada. Western Union Wire services allow money to be picked up through
local money mart centers, mail boxes, Miracle Mart and some grocery
stores. Funds are paid in Canadian dollars. In addition, many U.S.
automated teller machine (ATM) cards, such as those on the PLUS or CIRRUS
system, can be used throughout Canada to obtain Canadian funds on your
U.S. bank account.
TRAVELING WITHIN CANADA
Canadian Laws
It is important to respect the laws
of Canada while you are a guest in their country.
Weapons
Firearms are strictly controlled and
generally are not permitted in Canada. While handguns are prohibited,
hunting rifles are allowed into Canada with advance permission. Anyone
wishing to take a hunting rifle into Canada can contact the nearest
Canadian consulate in advance for detailed information. In all cases,
travelers must declare any firearms in their possession to Canadian
authorities when entering Canada. If a traveler is denied permission to
take the firearm into Canada, in some cases there are facilities near the
border where firearms may be stored pending the traveler's return to the
United States. For example, in Alberta, the Wy Moberlie Company operates
such a facility at duty free shops on the U.S. side of the border. They
accept items for storage (including weapons) and either forward these
items to the traveler's home address in the United States or store them
until the traveler picks the items up upon returning to the United States.
Canadian law requires that officials confiscate weapons from individuals
crossing the border who deny having such weapons in their possession.
Confiscated firearms are virtually never returned and are destroyed. A new
firearms act slated to take effect in l998/l999 will include a license and
registration requirement through Canada Customs for all guns, including
hunting guns, before entering the country. Please check with your nearest
Canada Customs office for further information.
Pepper spray, mace and similar
defensive weapons are prohibited under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Travelers who declare prohibited weapons are allowed to abandon them or
export them without penalty.
Drugs
Penalties for possession, use, and
dealing in illegal drugs are strict in Canada. Convicted offenders can
expect jail sentences and fines.
Drunk Driving
Driving under the
influence of alcohol is a serious offense. Penalties are heavy, and
any
prior conviction (no matter how long ago or how minor the infraction) is
cause for exclusion from Canada. A waiver of exclusion may be obtained
from a Canadian consulate in the United States, but several weeks are
required. There is a processing fee for the waiver.
Automobile Radar Detectors
It is illegal to take automobile
radar detectors into the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba or into
the Yukon and Northwest territories. The police will confiscate radar
detectors, whether in use or not, and may impose fines up to $1000.
Previous Convictions
Section 19 of Canada's Immigration
Act prohibits the admission of people who pose a threat to public health,
safety, order, and national security. Prior to attempting a border
crossing, American citizens who have had a criminal conviction in the past
must contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate well in advance to
determine their admissibility as visitors into Canada. If found
inadmissible, an immigration officer will advise whether a waiver
(Minister's Permit) is possible.
Arrest
There are currently over 100
American citizens incarcerated in Canadian prisons. An American citizen
who is arrested in Canada will be informed by the police of his/her right
to contact the American Embassy or one of the Consulates General. When
notified, a consular officer will contact the citizen by phone, and
subsequently make a personal visit. Collect calls will be accepted by the
U.S. Embassy or Consulates General if coming from a U.S. citizen for the
initial notification of arrest.
U.S. consular officers can provide
lists of lawyers from each local area, but cannot recommend a particular
lawyer and can not act as a legal representative on behalf of the
arrestee. Arrestees are responsible for their own legal fees. Legal Aid
programs are administered by the provinces, and may not cover individuals
who are visitors to Canada. There are no public defenders as we know them
in the United States. As a foreigner, under Bill C44, work release
programs, day parole or bail may be difficult to obtain or refused in view
of the flight risk involved. Under the Treaty on the Execution of Penal
Sentences signed by the U.S. and Canada 1977, prisoners may request to be
transferred to an American prison.
Customs Restrictions for U.S. Visitors to Canada
Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
Products
For short-term visitors to Canada,
the following restrictions apply per person:
-- 1.14 liters (40 oz.) of liquor or
wine or 24 x 355ml (12 oz.) bottles or cans of beer or ale (8.5 liters)
You must be 18 years of age or older
to import alcoholic beverages into the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and
Quebec. To import alcoholic beverages into all other provinces and
territories, you must be 19 years of age or older .
-- 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or
cigarillos, 400 grams of manufactured tobacco, and 400 tobacco sticks
You must be 18 years of age or older
to import tobacco products into the provinces of Quebec, Manitoba,
Saskatchewan, Alberta, the Yukon Territory, and the Northwest Territories.
To import tobacco products into all other provinces, you must be 19 years
or older .
Other Goods
Certain goods are restricted from
entering Canada. If you are considering importing meat or dairy products,
weapons, plants, vehicles, or exotic animals or products made from their
skins or feathers, please contact Canada Customs beforehand for guidance.
(See phone number listed below.)
Obscene materials, hate propaganda,
most weapons and firearms, and goods harmful to the environment are
prohibited from entering Canada.
If you have any questions about what
you can and cannot bring into Canada, call Canada Customs. Customs
officers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
to answer your questions. If you're calling in Canada, dial 1-800-461-9999
for the Automated Customs Information System. Outside Canada, call (613)
993-0534.
Pets
To bring your dog or cat into
Canada, you will have to present Canada Customs with a valid Rabies
Certificate, showing that your dog or cat has been vaccinated between 30
days and three years ago. For information on importation of other pets,
contact Canada Customs at (613) 993-0534.
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