Travel.gc.ca

Your one-stop source of safe-travel information

Travel.gc.ca offers a wealth of information on how to prepare for international travel.

The following tools will help you provide sound advice to your clients:

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Providing information and advice

You want to be aware of what’s going on around the world and inform your clients about potential trouble spots. But how do you keep up todate?

Consular Services helps you provide your clients with valuable advice.

Previous section: Consular Services

Travel Advice and Advisories

Travel Advice and Advisories pages offer information on safety and security, local laws and customs, entry requirements, health conditions and other important travel issues for about 200 destinations.

They also provide the Government of Canada's official travel advice, recommending that Canadians either avoid non-essential travel or avoid all travel to a country or specific region(s) of a country, when credible information suggests that it is unsafe to travel. This information is also available by phone:

1-800-267-6788 (in Canada and the U.S.)
613-944-6788

Country-specific Travel Advice can help answer many of your client's questions.

Activity: Select each question to learn more about how Travel advice can help answer your client's questions.

Is anything new going on in this country that will affect my travel?

Advisories:

The latest updates appear at the top of each country Travel Advice page.

Is it safe to travel to that country?

Advisories:

This tab indicates the overall country security level and may also contain a Travel Advisory for the country and/or specific region. A Travel Advisory is always accompanied by an explanatory paragraph, which could include a further recommendation to leave a country or region(s) of a country. Sometimes, additional information can be found in the Security tab.

Should I be concerned about the crime rate?

Security:

In addition to elaborating on some Advisories, the Security tab also gives specific information that could affect a traveller's safety and security.

Do I need a passport and/or visa?

Entry/exit requirements:

This tab provides information on passports, visas and other entry and exit requirements, as well as contact details for foreign embassies and consulates in Canada.

Are there any health concerns or recommendations that I should be aware of?

Health:

This section provides current information from the Public Health Agency of Canada on international disease outbreaks, and recommendations on immunizations for international travel, general travel health and travel and health insurance.

What medical services are available?

Health:

Specific information on local medical care and health conditions can be found in this tab.

What do I need to know about the legal system?

Laws & culture:

This section provides information on a range of issues, including the local legal system, penalties for drug-related offences, illegal sexual behaviour and social and religious customs.

Are credit cards accepted?

Laws & culture:

This tab addresses local currency and financial institutions.

Will I arrive during hurricane season?

Natural disasters & climate:

This tab deals with environmental conditions that may affect Canadian travellers, such as monsoon and hurricane seasons, as well as seismic and volcanic activity.

If I experience problems in a foreign country, where can I get consular assistance?

Help Abroad:

This section, found in the far right column of each Travel Advice page, contains contact information for Canadian government offices in a given country.

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That is correct.

That is correct. It is best to go over the Travel Advice for Cuba with your clients to ensure they are well prepared for their trip.

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That is incorrect.

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Travel Advisories

A Travel Advisory may be issued recommending that Canadians avoid "all travel" or "non-essential travel" to a country or region, and in some cases, recommending that Canadians leave that country or region. The definition of "non-essential travel" is a personal matter, based on each individual's family or business requirements, knowledge of a country or region, and other issues.

Travel insurers generally take into account the government’s Travel Advisories when determining their refund policy.
You should discuss this important issue with your client.

Where there are no Travel Advisories, security levels will be either "exercise normal security precautions" or "exercise a high degree of caution." The latter covers instances where, for example, there is an elevated threat of political or social unrest and travellers should maintain heightened personal security awareness, particularly in commercial and public establishments.

Travel Advice and Advisories - FAQ

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