Contents
1. Introduction.
These tips are gathered from many sources and for many reasons for our Travelonly clients.
They address technical information that must be followed, general tips that might be of interest to other travellers. These tips are presented to all of our customers as our own little “extra-touch” service.
The information is up to date and is time stamped. Things like airline regulations or hotel reservations might change very rapidly. Through out the series of tips are links that you can follow to find latest revisions on authoritative websites.
Research the information yourself and expand these tips as needed. Be wary of sites, chat rooms, forums and neighbours that offer opinion as fact. Check it out. My information is all from reputable sources and is added verbatim from many different sources that can be verified. How ever things change… and sometimes very fast!
This is not meant to be an onerous homework assignment. Take what you feel necessary and applicable to your travel. Skim over the remainder.
Have a wonderful vacation.
Forewarned is fore armed.
Doug Offen
P.S. This will be updated and added to almost daily so be sure you download the most recent incarnation of these travel tips for Canadians.
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2. Passports, Canadian
Passport Canada
Mon Nov 24 2008 17:37:58 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)
Starting June 1, 2009, a U.S. law will require Canadians to present a valid passport to enter the United States by water or land. U.S. law already requires Canadians to present a valid passport to enter the U.S. by air. Apply for your passport today to ensure you have it when you need it. Remember, the passport is the recommended travel and identification document for all Canadian travellers.
http://www.pptc.gc.ca/index.aspx?lang=eng
Accepted documents for entry into the United States
1. Passport
2. NEXUS card— The NEXUS program expedites the border clearance process for low-risk, pre-approved travellers entering Canada and the United States.
3. FAST card — Low-risk, pre-approved commercial importers, carriers and registered drivers can take part in the FAST program to facilitate the movement of pre-approved eligible goods across the Canada–U.S. border.
4. Enhanced driver’s licence/enhanced identification card An EDL is a secure driver’s licence that denotes a person’s identity and Canadian citizenship and will be issued by certain provinces and territories. The objective is to provide Canadians and Americans with a convenient option that will allow for spontaneous travel across the shared border.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/whti-ivho/edl-pcp-eng.html
5. Certificate of Indian Status
6. Birth certificate or Canadian citizenship card
Resources, Step by Step Guide, Accountability are headings linked to on the official Passport Canada Site http://www.pptc.gc.ca/index.aspx?lang=eng
Processing times
Mon Nov 24 2008 17:52:42 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)
As of November 18, 2008
Options for submitting a completed application Processing times
In-person (up to) 2 weeks
By mail (up to) 4 weeks
Through a Receiving Agent (Service Canada or Canada Post) (up to) 4 weeks
Applicants who apply in person at a Passport Canada office may qualify for urgent, express or pick-up services. Additional fees will apply.
Additional services
Urgent Processing time 24 hours
Express Processing time 2-9 business days
Pick-up Processing time 10 business days
Note: Our processing times are updated on a regular basis. Check this page for updates. Processing times do not take delivery time into account. Processing times may change depending on the volume of applications received and are not guaranteed. Complexity of routine verifications and security checks may lead to longer processing times.
http://www.pptc.gc.ca/cdn/service.aspx?lang=eng®ion=Canada
Frequently asked questions
Mon Nov 24 2008 17:57:11 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)
Do I need a visa to enter another country?
All countries have special entry requirements. Since these requirements are subject to change, you should consult the nearest diplomatic mission http://w01.international.gc.ca/Protocol/main-en.asp?sScreen=Introduction&iLanguage=0 of the country you intend to visit.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/ctry/profiles-en.asp website provides general information on most countries, as well as information on entry requirements.
http://www.pptc.gc.ca/support/faq.aspx?lang=eng&id=1202
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3. Passport, Lost, Stolen, Damaged
Passport Canada:
Traveller’s corner
Lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed or inaccessible passport
Mon Nov 24 2008 18:00:39 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)
A Canadian passport is a valuable document that should be kept in a safe place at all times. Once it has been reported lost or stolen, it is no longer valid and is not to be used for any travel. This is to ensure that it is not used for fraudulent purposes. Passport Canada or any representative of the Canadian Government cannot be held responsible for any difficulties at border crossings if you attempt to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Reporting the loss or theft
As soon as a passport is believed to be lost or stolen, the bearer is required to report the circumstances of the loss or theft:
* to the local police, and
* Passport Canada. http://www.pptc.gc.ca/service/contact.aspx?lang=eng
Damaged
If a passport is damaged in any way, there could be significant delays at border crossings of other countries. To avoid such incidents, Passport Canada recommends that anyone with a damaged travel document apply for a new passport. http://www.pptc.gc.ca/form/index.aspx?lang=eng
Found
A found passport should be reported immediately to the police and to Passport Canada and returned to Passport Canada.
If an individual finds his or her passport, which had previously been reported lost, he or she must immediately advise
Passport Canada or the nearest Canadian Government office abroad. and return the found passport.
Replacing a lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed or inaccessible passport
The request for a replacement passport can be made in Canada at any Passport Canada Office or at the nearest Canadian Government office abroad. http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/foreign/fordest/foreign_clientview-en.asp
However, before the document can be replaced, Canadian authorities will conduct an investigation into the circumstances. This may lead to delays in processing the replacement passport.
A replacement passport (which may be valid for a limited period only) may be authorized, provided strict requirements are met. These include the submission of:
1. a completed application form signed by your guarantor,
2. two identical current passport photos,
3. the appropriate fee,
4. documentary proof of Canadian citizenship, and
5. a “Statutory Declaration concerning a lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed or inaccessible Canadian passport” (PPTC 203, PDF, 34 KB) if the passport is still valid.
http://www.pptc.gc.ca/planification/203.aspx?lang=eng
ttp://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/foreign/fordest/foreign_clientview-en.asp
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4. Passports, Children
Some Tips About Children’s Passports from Canada
Children under the age of 11 are not required to sign the application form.
A relative may act as a guarantor for passport purposes provided that he or she meets the specified requirements. However, the person acting as the applicant cannot act as the guarantor.
The guarantor must know the applicant (parent applying for the child’s passport) personally for at least two years and have knowledge of the child.
They must also meet the requirements listed in the following pages:
* Guarantor for Canadians residing in Canada http://www.pptc.gc.ca/cdn/section2.aspx?lang=eng®ion=Canada
* Guarantor for Canadians residing in the US http://www.pptc.gc.ca/cdn/section2.aspx?lang=eng®ion=USA
* Guarantor for Canadians residing abroad http://www.pptc.gc.ca/cdn/section2.aspx?lang=eng®ion=international
Processing times
Mon Nov 24 2008 17:52:42 GMT-0500 (Eastern Standard Time)
As of November 18, 2008
Options for submitting a completed application Processing times
In-person (up to) 2 weeks
By mail (up to) 4 weeks
Through a Receiving Agent (Service Canada or Canada Post) (up to) 4 weeks
Applicants who apply in person at a Passport Canada office may qualify for urgent, express or pick-up services. Additional fees will apply.
Additional services
Urgent Processing time 24 hours
Express Processing time 2-9 business days
Pick-up Processing time 10 business days
Note: Our processing times are updated on a regular basis. Check this page for updates. Processing times do not take delivery time into account. Processing times may change depending on the volume of applications received and are not guaranteed. Complexity of routine verifications and security checks may lead to longer processing times.
http://www.pptc.gc.ca/cdn/service.aspx?lang=eng®ion=Canada
Do children require their own passport to travel?
Yes; all children who travel (alone or with an adult) need their own passport. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has recommended a policy requiring every individual who travels by air to have his or her own travel document. This policy has been put in place to combat the traffic of millions of children around the world who are often sold into slavery, child prostitution or worse. It increases the protection of children by ensuring that they have a valid travel document with a photo and other identifying information.
Does my child need to sign his or her passport?
The signature block above the photograph for the passport of a child under 11 must be left blank and should not be signed by either parent.
Children who are 11 years of age or over are required to sign their passport only if their signature appears on page 2 of the passport. Otherwise, the signature block should be left blank on page 3.
Are parents required to sign their child’s passport?
No, parents should not sign their child’s passport.
The signature block above the photograph for the passport of a child under 11 must be left blank and should not be signed by either parent.
Children who are 11 years of age or over are required to sign their passport only if their signature appears on page 2 of the passport. Otherwise, the signature block should be left blank on page 3.
What should a parent do if they have signed their child’s passport?
It is recommended that parents obtain a new passport for their child to avoid potential delays at international borders.
More Information and updates at:
http://www.pptc.gc.ca/index.aspx?lang=eng
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