Consular Services: General

Consular officials can:

  • replace a lost, stolen, damaged or expired passport
  • accept citizenship applications for approval by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
  • assist when the well-being or whereabouts of a Canadian citizen is in question
  • assist you if you have not been allowed to board an international flight, usually because of inappropriate travel documentation
  • help you find local support or return home if you have been victim of a crime
  • assist you if you have been a victim of a scam, phishing scheme, identity theft or fraud and advise you to take appropriate action, including reporting the crime to local authorities
  • help you to sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad service if you are travelling or living abroad and do not have Internet access
  • refer you to the appropriate authorities for information on services in Canada
  • help to return items lost and found at Canadian government offices abroad, which are held for 30 days
  • invigilate exams, at the discretion of the consular program manager, if no costs are incurred and suitable resources are available
  • respond to requests for local contact lists, such as:
    • police, fire and ambulance services
    • hospitals, doctors and medical professionals
    • lawyers and notaries
    • visa-issuing authorities
    • accommodations
    • providers of fingerprinting services  
    • providers of exam invigilating services

Consular officials cannot:

  • help you find employment
  • help you find accommodation
  • acquire local permits or licences on your behalf, including foreign visas or work permits
  • accept mail on your behalf
  • obtain residency permits
  • obtain work permits
  • obtain driver’s licences
  • pay fines
  • issue pension or social security benefits
  • make travel arrangements
  • compensate or reimburse you for delayed or cancelled travel
  • make hotel reservations
  • solve problems related to overstaying your visa
  • issue letters of facilitation to be used in lieu of travel documents, proof of citizenship or identification
  • perform fingerprinting services or criminal record checks
  • store personal effects or search for lost items
  • pay your hotel, medical, travel or other expenses
  • provide information on a Canadian being sought in cases of well-being and whereabouts without his or her consent, in accordance with the provisions of Canada’s Privacy Act