Visitors Guide to Canada

Residency, Visas and Passports

When travelling to Canada, visitors may be asked to show proof of sufficient funds to cover the duration of their stay, along with a return or onward ticket. Citizens from the US will need to show a photo ID if travelling via land borders, or a passport will need to be presented. All other nationalities are required to present a passport upon entry. Passports will need to be valid for a minimum of 1 day beyond the date of departure from Canada.

Citizens from the US, EU, Australia and New Zealand do not require a visa if travelling to Canada for less than 6 months. Various types of visas exist for travel to Canada so it is advisable to confirm entry requirements prior to visiting to ensure up to date information.

Canada is one of the most sought after re-location destinations for various nationalities due to the high quality of lifestyle in an idyllic environment. In order to control the excessive numbers of immigrants applying for residency in Canada, pre-qualification assessments have been designed.

These tests enable would-be applicants to gauge their likelihood of having their residency application accepted, prior to beginning the excessive paperwork that is required. Canada enabled 6 different types of residency permits, most of which are valid for 5 years and are renewable. The processes for residency can be very time consuming, however once issued, residents are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after a 3 year timeframe.

Getting There

As one of the world’s largest countries with a strong and established tourism market, Canada is conveniently easy to reach. The country features 13 international airports, along with various road and rail links from the US. Canada is also well connected with shipping ports as the country features extensive coastlines bordering three of the world’s oceans.

The country’s main airline is Air Canada, yet several of the world’s leading airlines offer services to Canada’s major cities. The time to travel from Europe is from around 7 hours, while flights from New York are approximately 1 hour.

If planning to travel to Canada from the US, there are several roads offering access points along the border. Rail passes are also available for visitors wishing to travel extensively within a set period of time. Up to 900 destinations throughout Canada and the US are accessible using the rail pass options. Passengers visiting Canada on cruise liners from Europe will be taken to Montreal, as it is currently the only port for European ships.

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Local Transport

While Canada is a very large country, it is very well serviced by an extensive range of domestic transport options. Air Canada is the country’s main airline, operating the long distance internal routes. Short haul domestic flights are serviced by Air Canada Jazz and the country’s low cost carrier, West Jet.

Rail travel offers visitors a large network of routes with extremely comfortable trains. Many of the trains servicing long distance routes provide sleeping carriages and restaurants. Train journeys are an ideal way to travel across Canada if time is permitting. Spectacular scenery can be enjoyed including the country’s stunning mountains, glaciers, lakes and waterfalls.

Rail and coach passes are available through various different countries for extensive travel at discounted prices. Coach transport is also a very popular and convenient travel option between towns and cities in Canada. The road networks across Canada offer excellent routes and conditions and are well maintained.

Various international hire car companies operate in Canada, with collection points available from all airports and cities. Drivers are required to be a minimum of 21 years old in most areas and have a full driving license. Local transport within city and town centres includes taxis and buses, operating on a flat fare basis.

Health and Safety

Canada is a very safe place to visit and highly appealing as a relocation destination. The majority of visits to Canada are incident free, with the country experiencing a fairly low crime rate. As when visiting any new location, it is advisable to always follow common safety precautions to avoid any petty theft, or become the potential target of any problems.

The seasons in Canada can be quite extreme, with very cold winters and hot summers. Taking precautions in extreme temperatures is essential to avoid problems and discomfort. If requiring medical assistance, the health care service in Canada is of an excellent quality.

As the hospital and medical costs can be exceptionally high in Canada, it is advisable to have private health care insurance. Prescriptions obtained in Europe will be accepted by doctors in Canada if needing to be continued.

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