Registration of Canadians Abroad - FAQ

Non-Canadian citizens

Registration of Canadians Abroad is a service intended for Canadian citizens.

By special agreement, Canada also registers Australian and Israeli citizens travelling in some countries.

Please confirm that you meet the criteria listed below to proceed with your registration.

If you meet the criteria above, please register. If not, contact your country’s nearest consular office to determine if it has a similar registration program in place.

If you’re not a Canadian citizen but have an immediate family member who is, register your Canadian family member first, including minors under the age of 18, and then yourself as a co-traveller.

Why should I register?

The Registration of Canadians Abroad service enables government officials to contact you to provide important information in preparation for an emergency (such as a natural disaster or civil unrest), instructions during emergencies, important changes or updates to the Travel Advice and Advisories for the country for which you registered, and more.

In addition to signing up for the service, we strongly recommend that you do the following before you leave so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency:

• Leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact details with family or friends in Canada
• Provide family or friends with the telephone number for our Emergency Watch and Response Centre and
• Carry contact information for the Canadian government offices abroad in the countries you plan to visit

When should I register?

The best time to register is before you leave Canada, but you can also register while abroad.

How do I register?

You can register online. 

For group registrations, complete the online registration with the first 15 co-travellers or household members, save and create your account. Log in again to add more co-travellers or household members.

How do I register a trip with multiple destinations?

You may register for multiple countries in the same trip. Once you have entered the registration details for your first destination country, select the option “Add Additional Destination”.

How do I update my registration?

If you registered online, you can sign in to update your account information.

If you registered by mail, fax or in person, you should send an email to roca@international.gc.ca to update your account information.

What information do I have to provide?

You must provide travel information and personal details, such as your date of birth, where you will be staying in the destination country or countries and emergency contact information in Canada.

How do I know that my information will be safe?

Your information will only be used in accordance with the provisions of Canada’s Privacy Act. 

Our site is secure and will protect your personal information during transmission. If you have any concerns, you can register for Registration for Canadians Abroad in person. For further privacy information, please read the Government of Canada privacy notice.

All of the personal information on you and your co-travellers will be destroyed 12 months after the date you originally indicated that you would be returning to Canada when you registered for Registration for Canadians Abroad. If you register for a new trip during this 12-month period, your personal information will be destroyed 12 months after your new return date.

How do I register a trip within Canada?

The Registration of Canadians Abroad service is designed for Canadians travelling internationally and not for Canadians travelling within the country.

How do I register a cruise?

You must select every port as a separate destination, including multiple ports in a single country.

If I don’t register, but I need emergency consular assistance while travelling, will the Government of Canada still help me?

You do not need to register for Registration of Canadians Abroad to receive consular services. The Canadian Consular Services Charter outlines the assistance the Government of Canada can provide in an emergency situation.

We strongly recommend that all Canadian citizens travelling or living abroad sign up for Registration of Canadians Abroad. It allows us to contact you to provide important information in advance of an emergency abroad and to send you information on how to stay safe and secure as you travel.

The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously, but signing up for Registration of Canadians Abroad does not guarantee that you will receive consular assistance. The decision to travel is your responsibility. You are also responsible for your personal safety abroad.

Remember to:

• Consult the Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination at least twice: once while you are planning your trip and again just before you go.
• Purchase the best travel insurance you can afford.
• Find the location and contact information for the Canadian embassy or consulate closest to your travel destination. Always keep this information close at hand while travelling in case you need emergency assistance.