Understanding discrimination risks related to race, ethnicity, religion and identity while travelling
When travelling or moving outside Canada, the risks you may face can vary depending on your real or perceived ethnicity, race, Indigenous identity, national origin, religion or other aspects of your identity. Do your research before travelling abroad and take steps to reduce your risk.
On this page
- Research your destination
- Consider any overlapping risks
- Be prepared for different treatment
- Interactions with authorities
- Stay connected
- If you experience discrimination or harassment
Discrimination, racism and religious intolerance are never acceptable, but may occur in some destinations, presenting as harassment, profiling, or additional questioning or different treatment when out in public or accessing services. Consider your personal risk tolerance and whether you’re comfortable travelling to a destination where you could have such experiences. Understanding the local risks and situations you might face can help you prepare and make informed decisions.
Research your destination
Visit the Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination(s) while planning your trip and leading up to your departure. The “Laws and culture” section may contain information on the local legal process as well as laws and social customs that could affect your experience.
Watch for laws and customs that:
- dictate dress and behaviour
- do not recognize dual citizenship
- criminalize criticism of the local religion or government
- require you to carry valid identification
It is also important to read through the “Risk level” and “Safety and security” sections to understand the risks and issues that may affect your safety in general.
Research the cultural, historical and political context of your destination(s) as well as how different groups are viewed and treated locally. There may also be geographic variations within countries, with some cities or regions carrying a higher risk of harassment or discrimination, whether that is institutional, interpersonal or both.
Stay informed about current local conditions by reading local and international news coverage. If there are events that could impact your safety or level of comfort, like planned demonstrations, increased violence, or political tension, you may wish to adjust your travel plans.
Consider any overlapping risks
Your experience while travelling and the types of risks you could face abroad may vary depending on the different aspects of your identity. In addition to your real or perceived ethnicity, national origin, race or religion, you may also experience greater risk based on your age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, mental health status, socioeconomic status, language and immigration background.
Your research should include reading testimonials from similar travellers as well as diaspora or identity-specific networks and travel groups. Real-life experience and knowledge from peers are important resources for making safe travel decisions that consider both your personal circumstances and risk tolerance.
Learn how to manage your mental health while travelling or living outside Canada.
Be prepared for different treatment
In some destinations, you may attract unwanted attention if others perceive you as not belonging to the majority population.
Common experiences may include:
- being stared at openly
- being stopped in the street
- microaggressions, stereotyping or being asked invasive questions
- having your photo taken without your consent
- having your body, skin or hair touched without your consent
Try to stay calm and avoid confrontation as it may put your safety at risk. Remove yourself from the area if you are uncomfortable or feel unsafe.
While some people may be curious, leading them to behave inappropriately and cross your boundaries, others may target you for being different. In some destinations, racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination may contribute to increased risks of verbal abuse, exclusion, harassment or violence. It is important to understand how to differentiate between curiosity and hostility and prepare a de-escalation strategy.
You may also encounter systemic or institutional discrimination, including barriers to accessing:
- accommodation
- education
- employment
- health care
Although most reputable online accommodation booking services have rules preventing discrimination, be prepared for the possibility that you could be turned away. Privately-owned restaurants may also refuse service in destinations where there is discrimination against people based on appearance or a perceived association.
Keep in mind that in some destinations, anti-discrimination laws may be limited or not enforced consistently. Authorities may not respond or they may themselves discriminate.
Interactions with authorities
You may face profiling and additional questioning by border authorities when entering some destinations because of your real or perceived ethnic group, national origin, race or religion. Be prepared for increased scrutiny at security checks and immigration desks.
Police may stop you and ask for identification. Always carry current photo ID and ensure that your name is spelled consistently across IDs, visas and bookings. Check the laws and culture section of your destination’s Travel Advice and Advisories page to see whether you are required to carry your passport and proof of legal entry (stamps/visas) or whether a photocopy is sufficient. In some countries, you may also be subject to surveillance.
Avoid confrontation with authorities as they could refuse your entry or detain you. Follow their instructions and answer questions truthfully. If you are detained, request consular assistance from the Embassy of Canada.
Directory of Canadian embassies and consulates by destination.
Information about what to expect and what to do if you are arrested or detained abroad.
Stay connected
Plan to stay in regular contact with your family and friends at home. Let them know how often you will communicate with them so that they don’t have unrealistic expectations. Keep in touch with your institution if you are studying or working abroad.
Leave a detailed itinerary with a trusted family member or friend that includes flight information and hotel reservations. Share updates with them if plans change. If you are travelling with another person, you should also leave their contact information so that your family has alternate ways to contact you if there is an emergency.
Sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad service so that the Government of Canada can contact and assist you in case of an emergency abroad. Through this service, the Government of Canada can also help your family or friends reach you in case of a personal emergency at home.
Save the contact information for the nearest Canadian embassy, consulate or government office and the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa in case you need assistance while you are away. Consider adding the coordinates of local emergency services to your phone after researching how local authorities respond to reports of discrimination and racial- or religious-based violence in your destination country.
If you experience discrimination or harassment
- Remove yourself from the unsafe situation, if possible.
- Seek help from local authorities, if your research has shown they will respond appropriately.
- Document the discrimination, including dates, locations, names of organizations or people involved, in case you wish to file a complaint.
- Inform your institution, your accommodation or your travel provider, if you are on an organized tour.
- Reach out to local diaspora or identity-based support organizations, if available.
- Contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate for consular assistance.
Canadian consular officials abroad can:
- give you public sources of information on local laws and regulations
- give you a list of local lawyers
- provide information on local resources that may be able to help, such as police, shelters, victim services, legal assistance, human rights organizations and community support groups
- explain what options may be available if someone wants to report what happened
- contact family or friends on your behalf, with your permission
- help you communicate with local authorities or services, when appropriate
- provide help if the situation leads to other consular issues, such as arrest, hospitalization, lost documents or needing help returning to Canada
- raise concerns with local authorities in some situations, when appropriate
Canadian consular officials abroad cannot:
- guarantee the safety and security of Canadians outside Canada
- ask local authorities to give a Canadian preferential treatment or to exempt a Canadian from the due process of local law
- perform investigations abroad into crimes, discrimination complaints or compel foreign authorities or businesses to take action
- provide legal advice or represent a Canadian in legal proceedings or discrimination complaints
- determine whether discrimination or harassment has legally occurred
- force local authorities, businesses or other organizations to investigate a complaint or take action
- obtain compensation, refunds, employment remedies or other outcomes on a Canadian’s behalf
- intervene in private disputes
- guarantee that local authorities will investigate a complaint or that Canadian standards of law, procedure or human rights protections will apply abroad
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