Living Abroad

A CANADIAN’S GUIDE TO WORKING, STUDYING, VOLUNTEERING

OR RETIRING IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY

Travel.gc.ca

LIVING ABROAD

A Canadian’s guide to working, studying, volunteering or retiring in a

foreign country

Published by Global Affairs Canada

To obtain more information or additional free copies of this booklet,

visit travel.gc.ca, email [email protected] or call

1-800-267-8376 (in Canada) or 613-944-4000.

This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.

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Vivre à l’étranger

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and by any means, without charge or further permission from Global

Affairs Canada. We ask only that users exercise due diligence in

ensuring the accuracy of the materials reproduced; that Global Affairs

Canada be identiﬁed as the source department; and that the

reproduction not be represented as an ofﬁcial version of the materials

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or with its endorsement.

All information in this publication is provided on an “as is” basis

without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Global Affairs

Canada makes all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information

contained in this publication is accurate at the time it is published. The

department, as the publisher, is solely responsible for the accuracy,

completeness, timeliness, and reliability of any such information. The

information, however, is subject to change at any time without notice.

Consult our website and resources in the “For More Information” section

for the most up-to-date information. The reader is also encouraged to

supplement this information with independent research and professional

advice.

Right of Canada, represented by the

Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2013

Cat. No. FR5-65/2012E

ISBN 978-1-100-21202-9

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 2

BEFORE LEAVING CANADA 3

Complete a risk assessment .................................................................................. 3

Carefully evaluate opportunities abroad ............................................................... 4

A little planning goes a long way ........................................................................... 6

Registration of Canadians Abroad.......................................................................... 7

Dual citizenship—blessing or burden? .................................................................. 9

Temporary versus permanent residency ................................................................. 9

In case of an emergency… .................................................................................. 10

Your health on the move ....................................................................................... 11

Purchase the best insurance you can afford ........................................................ 14

Supplemental insurance versus replacement insurance ..................................... 15

Moving abroad with children ................................................................................ 17

Required travel documents .................................................................................. 18

Calculate the costs .............................................................................................. 21

WHILE LIVING ABROAD 22

Stay safe .............................................................................................................. 22

A roof over your head ............................................................................................ 23

Health care........................................................................................................... 24

Culture shock ....................................................................................................... 25

Manage your money ............................................................................................. 26

Cushioning the impact ......................................................................................... 26

Legal matters ....................................................................................................... 29

Immigration and citizenship ................................................................................ 31

Driving ................................................................................................................. 33

Consular services ................................................................................................. 34

Have an emergency plan ...................................................................................... 35

Death abroad ....................................................................................................... 35

Keep connected .................................................................................................... 36

COMING BACK TO CANADA 38

Planning for your return ....................................................................................... 38

FOR MORE INFORMATION 41

INTRODUCTION

The world beyond our borders is home to about three million Canadians.

Like you, they each have their own reasons for choosing to live in a

foreign land, whether to work, study, volunteer, retire or pursue other

opportunities. Residing abroad—either permanently or temporarily—

can be a rich and rewarding experience.

It can also be challenging, particu-

larly if you move to another

country based on a dream, without

considering the risks and responsi-

bilities. The decision to leave

familiar surroundings and adapt to

another social and cultural envi-

ronment should not be taken

lightly. It requires thorough re-

search, knowledge and planning.

The better prepared you are before

leaving Canada, the better your

experience abroad will be.

The Government of Canada assists

thousands of Canadians residing

in foreign countries each year.

With more than 260 ofﬁces in

150 countries worldwide—plus an

Emergency Watch and Response

Centre in Ottawa—we’re at your

service 24 hours a day, seven days a

week. While there are limits to the

help we can give you, we offer a vast

range of consular services, from

replacing lost passports and sharing

information on local laws to lending

support during natural disasters and

medical emergencies.

We’re well aware of the challenges

you’ll face while living abroad.

That’s why we’ve developed this

booklet to help you:

Questions about

foreign travel?

• Is it safe to go there?

• Could I get sick?

• Who can I contact for

emergency help?

• Can the Government of Canada

get me out of a foreign jail?

• What should I do if I lose

my passport?

• Do I have to pay taxes on

foreign income?

• What can I bring back

to Canada?

Answers: Travel.gc.ca

• inform and prepare yourself

before leaving Canada;

• take care of yourself and your

loved ones while abroad;

• know what to do if things don’t

work out as expected; and

• plan for your eventual return.

We urge you to read this booklet

as well as our main publication, Bon

Voyage, But… Essential Information

for Canadian Travellers. Also be sure

to visit travel.gc.ca—your ofﬁcial

source of information on interna-

tional travel. And have a safe,

healthy and happy stay abroad!

Travel.gc.ca | 3

BEFORE LEAVING CANADA

Read up, register, reach us

The Government of Canada encourages Canadians to follow the Three Rs

of international travel:

• Read up on safety and security, local laws and customs, entry require-

ments, health conditions and other key travel topics by consulting our

Travel Advice and Advisories (travel.gc.ca/advice).

• Register with us through the Registration of Canadians Abroad service

before leaving Canada, so we can contact and assist you in an emer-

gency abroad, such as a hurricane or civil unrest, or inform you about

an emergency at home (travel.gc.ca/register).

• Reach us at our Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa for

urgent assistance while abroad (travel.gc.ca/emergencies).

COMPLETE A RISK ASSESSMENT

It’s important to consider not only the rewards but also the risks of relocating

abroad. Be sure to complete a risk assessment of each possible host country

in order to identify a safe and suitable destination. If you’re daunted by the

perils and inconveniences of a particular destination, then rule it out.

A risk assessment will pinpoint

concerns you should be aware of,

such as safety and security, health

conditions and the political,

economic, cultural and natural

environment, as well as precau-

tions you can take. For example:

• Some countries experience

continuing wars, insurgencies

and civil unrest.

• Others are subject to

extreme temperatures and

natural disasters, such as

typhoons, earthquakes and

volcanic eruptions.

• The pace of life may be very

different from what you’re

used to, affecting your work

habits and well-being.

• Safe and comfortable

housing may be scarce or

prohibitively expensive.

• There may be no wheelchair

access or allowances for

people with hearing, sight

or other special needs.

• The consumption of

alcohol may be illegal, or

persons convicted of drug-

related offences may face

capital punishment.

• Children may be tried, con

victed and incarcerated

as adults for their crimes.

CAREFULLY EVALUATE

OPPORTUNITIES

ABROAD

A wide range of work, study,

volunteer and retirement opportuni-

ties can be found outside Canada.

To ensure a successful experience

abroad, be sure to thoroughly

evaluate any opportunity before

moving forward:

• Beware of international fraud.

Steer clear of overseas recruit

ment agencies that operate

solely by email or telephone

and organizations that charge

placement fees. Bogus groups

offering international education

opportunities have cheated

students out of large sums of

money under the pretext of

securing admissions, ﬁnancial

aid and study permits.

Likewise, phony volunteer

placement agencies have

charged unsuspecting recruits

for opportunities that never pan

out. And there’s no lack of

international scammers who

target retirees with empty

promises of romance, friend

ship and ﬁnancial rewards in

faraway lands.

• If you’re a woman, be especially

wary of offers that sound too

good to be true. Beware of the

danger of getting trapped into

sex or labour trafﬁcking.

Criminals often recruit foreign

women through fraudulent ads

To carry out a risk assessment:

• Start by consulting the Travel

Advice and Advisories for your

prospective host country to

see if an ofﬁcial Government

of Canada Travel Advisory is in

effect and to obtain informa

tion on safety and security,

local laws and customs, health

conditions and entry require

ments (travel.gc.ca/advice).

• Consult the Country Insights

page on the Centre for

Intercultural Learning website

for cultural information, facts

and advice on showing sensi

tivity to local customs around

the world (intercultures.ca).

• Visit travel.gc.ca/health and

the World HealthOrganization’s

website (who.int) for country-

speciﬁc information on health

conditions and standards of

medical care.

• Get weather and climate

information on countries

worldwide on the World

Weather Information

Service website

(www.worldweather.org).

• Supplement these resources

with guidebooks, newsletters,

magazines and websites

for expatriates. They offer

insight into the health, safety,

cultural and emotional issues

experienced by Canadians

living abroad.

Travel.gc.ca | 5

Are you ready for a

cross-cultural move?

Many Canadians who live

abroad for the ﬁrst time are

surprised at the cultural

isolation they experience,

making the transition even

more stressful. Before you

leave Canada, make an effort

to understand the social

environment where you’ll be

living. Are you at ease with

stark cultural differences? Are

you prepared to be in a

minority and to be treated as a

foreigner? Do you make new

friends easily? Are you open to

different ways of doing things?

Can you handle a much

slower—or faster—pace of life?

to work as hostesses, models,

entertainers, nannies, maids

or in other seemingly

legitimate jobs.

• Find out everything you can

about any agency that’s offering

you an opportunity abroad.

Ask for references, visit its

website and call your local

Better Business Bureau (if the

organization is Canadian).

Contact others who’ve worked

for the organization or speak

to someone currently

employed there.

• Never accept a job overseas if

the details won’t be spelled out

until you arrive. Examine the

terms of your contract carefully

and have it reviewed by a lawyer

if possible. Verify the conditions

to break your contract if things

don’t work out.

• Make sure you fully understand

the ﬁnancial conditions of any

job offer. Know when you’ll

receive your ﬁrst paycheque

and in what currency you’ll be

paid. Receiving your salary in

Canadian or U.S. dollars could

prevent problems caused by

exchange rate ﬂuctuations.

If you’ll be paid in the local

currency, ﬁnd out if it’s convert

ible and if there are restrictions

on taking funds out of the

country. Check if your employer

will cover expenses, such as

airfares, residency permits,

language training, school

tuition, and health and dental

insurance (including coverage

for family members).

International Experience Canada

Young Canadians can choose from thousands of opportunities to travel

and work in foreign countries. These programs are made possible

through reciprocal arrangements negotiated with host countries.

Participants aged 18 to 35 can enjoy the many beneﬁts of living and

working abroad, while gaining valuable global experience and skills.

For more information, call 1-877-461-2346 or visit International

Experience Canada.

• If your contract provides for

accommodations, ask for

photos or a detailed descrip

tion, ﬂoor plan and furniture

inventory in advance.

“Western” and “furnished”

have different meanings in

different countries. Ask about

the neighbourhood and local

transport. Check whether you’ll

be sharing accommodations

with someone else.

• Note that, while some employ

ers and volunteer agencies may

promise to pay for your return

ﬂight to Canada upon comple

tion of a contract, this commit-

ment will not necessarily be

honoured. It’s best to request

an open-ended return ticket

in advance.

A LITTLE

PLANNING GOES

A LONG WAY

Forward thinking is the key to a

safe and successful stay abroad.

The following steps will help you

pull the pieces together before

leaving Canada.

• Read our safe-travel booklet

Bon Voyage, But… Essential

Information for Canadian

Travellers (see travel.gc.ca/

publication), which offers the

knowledge and advice you

need to travel responsibly and

with conﬁdence, while avoiding

the pitfalls you could experi

ence in foreign countries. It

also outlines consular services

available to you around

the world.

• Ensure that you and all accom

panying family members have a

Canadian passport that’s valid

for at least six months beyond

your intended return to Canada.

Travel.gc.ca | 7

Obtain any work, study,

volunteer, visitor or other

visas required by your host

country well in advance. Know

the terms of each visa, as you

could be arrested for violating

visa conditions in some

countries. See “Moving abroad

with children” on page 17

and “Required travel docu-

ments” on page 18 for

more information.

• Leave copies of important

travel documents with family

or friends in Canada in case

of loss or theft. Scan these

documents, if possible, and

send them to yourself at an

email address you can

access anywhere.

• Make sure you have travel

health insurance that covers all

medical expenses for illness or

injury (including hospitaliza

tion abroad and medical

evacuation), plus insurance for

loss or theft of valuables,

damage to baggage, and ﬂight

cancellations or interruptions.

• Sign up for the Registration of

Canadians Abroad service at

travel.gc.ca/register, so that

the Government of Canada can

contact and assist you in case

of an emergency. Once you’ve

registered, remember to keep

your account up to date.

REGISTRATION

CANADIANS

ABROAD

A free service that could

save your life

If you’ll be travelling or

living abroad, sign up for the

Registration of Canadians

Abroad service. Registration

enables us to reach you in

case of an emergency

abroad, such as an earth-

quake or civil unrest, or

inform you about an emer-

gency at home.

by fax or in person. For

more information, visit

travel.gc.ca/register or call

1-800-267-6788 (in Canada

and the U.S.) or 613-944-6788.

*Information obtained through registration is

conﬁdential and is used in accordance with the

provisions of Canada’s Privacy Act.

• Carry an Emergency Contact

Card with the coordinates of

the nearest Canadian govern

ment ofﬁce in your host

country (see travel.gc.ca/card),

in case you have problems

while abroad.

• Arrange in advance for safe

accommodations in your host

country. Suitable housing may

be scarce and expensive in

locations with low vacancy

rates, and you may have to

book through an agency. If you

can’t ﬁnd long-term lodgings

beforehand, at least make

plans for temporary housing.

Before paying a deposit for

student housing or other

lodgings advertised online, be

sure to conﬁrm that the

address exists. See “A roof over

your head” on page 23 for

further advice.

• Find out well in advance what

you’re allowed to take with you.

Keep in mind that most coun

tries have stringent import

controls. Obtain any necessary

adapters for electrical appli

ances you intend to bring. If

you’re bringing valuable items,

take advantage of a free service

offered by Canada Border

Services Agency (CBSA) ofﬁces

to identify items with serial

numbers or other unique

markings. The CBSA can apply

a sticker to other items so they

can be identiﬁed for customs

purposes upon your return

to Canada.

• If you’re taking a pet overseas,

contact the embassy or consul

ate of your host country

to obtain information on all

requirements. Your pet will

need a detailed health certiﬁ

cate and may require an import

permit. It may also need to

undergo a quarantine period

before entering the country.

• Make sure your mail is moving

with you. Submit a change of

address request to Canada Post

and inform all your contacts of

your new address.

• Make a will before you leave

Canada. If the worst happens,

it will reduce the complications

associated with a death

abroad. Consider making two

wills—one for Canada and one

for the host country—since

different legislation will apply.

Travel.gc.ca | 9

Temporary versus

permanent residency

Most Canadians who intend

to live abroad for a temporary

study period, volunteer

service or seasonal retire-

ment will choose to maintain

their Canadian residency.

Those who don’t plan to

return regularly to Canada,

and who can obtain sufcient

health-care protection

abroad, may opt for perma-

nent residency—or even

citizenship—in their host

country. Doing so means

establishing legal status in

the other country, which

entails a variety of conditions,

requirements and obligations

well beyond those of a tourist

or visitor. It could also have

serious consequences. For

example, Canadian

consular ofcials may be

unable to assist you if

you run into problems

in a foreign country

where you have

legal status.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP—

BLESSING OR

BURDEN?

You’re allowed by Canadian law

to have more than one nationality.

Having dual or multiple citizen-

ships can offer advantages,

including employment opportuni-

ties, unrestricted residency,

property ownership, and entitle-

ment to education, health care,

pensions and other social

programs abroad.

There are also disadvantages.

Your Canadian citizenship may

not be recognized in the country

of your other nationality, whose

authorities may prevent Canada

from providing you with consular

assistance. This situation is

especially likely if you enter that

country as one of its citizens,

rather than using your Canadian

passport. As a citizen, you may

be subject to laws that would

not apply to a foreigner, com-

pelled to do military service,

required to pay taxes, liable for

reimbursing educational costs or

subject to heightened scrutiny by

immigration and security ofﬁcials.

Being a citizen of another country

doesn’t necessarily mean you can

work there. You may not meet the

residency requirements. Or you

may have lost your citizenship

status when you became

Canadian. Dual citizenship can

also cause problems in a third

country if there’s confusion over

which citizenship you used to

gain entry.

You can minimize the risks of

living in the country of your other

nationality by taking these steps:

• Conﬁrm your citizenship

status—and that of accompa

nying family members—and

address your concerns to

appropriate ofﬁcials of the

country in question through

its embassy or consulate

in Canada.

In case of an emergency…

Consular assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If

you run into problems while living abroad:

• Contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate

(see travel.gc.ca/ofﬁces for a complete directory).

• Phone our Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa at

613-996-8885 (call collect where service is available).

• Email us at [email protected].

• Or complete an Emergency Contact Form at travel.gc.ca/emergencies.

Did you know…?

You cannot use a Certiﬁcate of

Canadian Citizenship instead

of a Canadian passport to

travel abroad. A Certiﬁcate of

Canadian Citizenship is not a

travel document. A Canadian

passport is the only reliable

and universally accepted travel

and identiﬁcation document

available to Canadians for the

purpose of international travel.

Canadian citizens returning to

Canada who present other

documents, such as a

Certiﬁcate of Canadian

Citizenship, birth certiﬁcate,

provincial driver’s licence or

foreign passport, instead of a

Canadian passport, may face

delays or be denied boarding

by transport companies.

• Find out if you have obligations

to that country, such as taxes,

military service or repayment of

educational costs. Ask for

written conﬁrmation.

• If permitted by the laws of the

other country, use your

Canadian passport to gain

entry and present yourself

as a Canadian citizen to

local authorities.

• Contact the nearest Canadian

embassy or consulate immedi

ately if you run into problems

associated with dual citizenship.

• For more information, see our

publication

Dual Citizenship:

What You Need to Know

YOUR HEALTH

ON THE MOVE

No matter where in the world you

live, your health is your highest

priority. Be sure to plan for

long-term health needs before

leaving Canada.

The Public Health Agency of

Canada (PHAC) recommends that

you and each family member visit

a travel health clinic or your

health-care provider—preferably

six weeks before departure—for a

health assessment. This examina-

tion will determine your need for

immunizations, preventive medi-

cation and any precautions to

help avoid disease while abroad.

A health assessment could also

include check-ups with a dentist

and optometrist, as well as a

psychological evaluation to

help prepare for life in a

new environment.

VACCINATIONS

Living in a foreign country could

expose you and accompanying

family members to infectious

diseases that are rarely, if ever,

seen in Canada. Based on your

current health status, immunization

history and anticipated itinerary, a

health-care provider can assess

your individual health risks and

advise you on vaccination require-

ments, your need for preventive

medication (e.g., for malaria) and

personal protective measures.

Make sure your routine immuniza-

tions—tetanus, diphtheria,

whooping cough (pertussis), polio,

measles, mumps and rubella—are

up to date. Proof of yellow fever

vaccination in the past 10 years

and an International Certiﬁcate of

Vaccination or Prophylaxis may be

required to enter some countries.

Be aware that some vaccinations

and preventive medications can

take time to become effective.

If you’re moving abroad with infants

or children, you may need to

arrange an alternative or acceler-

ated childhood immunization

schedule for them. Consult your

pediatrician, family doctor or travel

health practitioner. For more

information, visit travel.gc.ca/health.

MEDICATION

If you take medication, pack an

extra supply—or arrange for reﬁlls—

since you’ll be abroad for an extend-

ed period. Carry a duplicate of your

prescription, showing the product’s

generic and trade names, in case

your medication is stolen or lost.

Also keep any optical prescriptions

on hand for easier replacement of

eyeglasses or contacts.

Never try to save luggage space by

combining medications in one

container. Keep all medications in

their original, labelled containers to

avoid customs problems.

Some medications sold over the

counter in Canada are illegal or

require a prescription in other

countries. Find out whether your

medication is legal in your host

country. Obtain a note from your

doctor stating the medical reasons

for your prescription and the recom-

mended dosage.

If you need syringes for a medical

condition or an autoinjector for

life-threatening allergies, it’s impor-

tant to take along adequate supplies

or to have a plan to replenish them.

Also carry a medical certiﬁcate

conﬁrming that these items are for

medical use.

If you have a pre-existing medical

condition or allergies that could ﬂare

up while you’re abroad, consider

wearing a MedicAlert® bracelet or

Travel.gc.ca | 13

necklace, which will be linked to

your medical records and make

them accessible 24 hours a day

from anywhere in the world.

STI PREVENTION

Carry a supply of condoms to

protect yourself from sexually

transmitted infections and to guard

against unwanted pregnancy, even

if you don’t expect to meet a new

partner abroad. Condoms may not

be available in your destination

country or may not meet the safety

standards set by the World Health

Organization. For more information,

consult PHAC’s travel health fact

sheet Sexually Transmitted

Infections, available at

travelhealth.gc.ca.

PREGNANCY AND BIRTH

If you’ll be pregnant while living

abroad or expect to give birth in a

foreign country, be sure to see your

doctor before leaving Canada. Make

sure your supplementary health

insurance covers pregnancy-related

conditions, pre-term and full-term

Well on Your Way

Would you like to learn more about protecting your health while abroad?

Our publication Well on Your Way offers valuable advice on how to:

• assess travel health risks;

• take preventive measures before, during and after international travel;

• choose an appropriate travel health insurance plan;

• cope with a health emergency abroad; and

• obtain consular services in the event of a medical emergency.

To order your booklet today, call 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada) or

613-944-4000, or download a copy at travel.gc.ca/publication.

birth and neonatal care. Try to avoid

malarial zones, as expectant

mothers are particularly vulnerable

to the illness, which could put their

pregnancy at risk. If you’re going to

give birth outside Canada, identify

beforehand a local hospital or

birthing facility that’s up to

Canadian standards, if possible.

For information on the citizenship

of children born to Canadian

parents abroad, see “Canadian

birthright” on page 32.

More information on travelling

while pregnant can be found at

travel.gc.ca/health and in our

booklet Her Own Way: A Woman’s

Safe-Travel Guide, available at

travel.gc.ca/publication.

ACCESSIBILITY FOR DISABLED

TRAVELLERS

Many countries don’t provide

speciﬁc access for people in

wheelchairs or assist those with

hearing, sight or other physical

requirements. You may need to

make special arrangements abroad

to obtain the services you’d nor-

mally expect in Canada. For

country-speciﬁc information on

accessibility for disabled travellers,

consult the website of Disabled

Peoples’ International at dpi.org.

Holders of disabled parking permits

in Canada may use them in mem-

ber or associate member countries

of the International Transport

Forum (ITF). Be sure to check with

local authorities to conﬁrm your

entitlement. Parking permits for

disabled Canadians are rarely

recognized in non-ITF countries.

For details, see the ITF website at

internationaltransportforum.org.

Further information on govern-

ment services for disabled travel-

lers, meeting special needs,

parking privileges and travelling

with a service animal is available

at travel.gc.ca/disabledtravellers.

PURCHASE

THE BEST INSURANCE

YOU CAN AFFORD

Don’t expect your provincial or

territorial health plan to cover the

costs if you get sick or are injured

while living abroad. Out-of-country

medical bills can be steep and

result in a heavy ﬁnancial burden.

There’s nothing worse than being

ill in a foreign country while

worrying about spiralling medical

costs. Your provincial or territorial

health plan will cover only part, if

any, of medical expenses outside

Canada and will not pay up front.

Furthermore, it will become invalid

if you live elsewhere beyond a

certain length of time—generally

six to eight months, depending on

your province or territory. For more

information, contact your regional

health authority.

Travel.gc.ca | 15

No matter how long you’ll be

living abroad, be sure to purchase

the best health insurance you can

afford. It’s one of the most

important investments you can

make as an expatriate. Make sure

you understand the terms of your

policy. It should cover your

personal health needs and those

of any dependants. If you’ll be

working in your destination

country, check whether your

employer will provide health

insurance that meets your

requirements.

Always carry proof of your insur-

ance while abroad, along with

contact information for your

insurer. Leave a copy with a friend

or relative in Canada. If you pay

for your own medical care, obtain

a detailed invoice from the doctor

or hospital in order to make a

claim later. Most insurers will not

accept copies or faxes.

Supplemental

insurance versus

replacement

insurance

Two types of private health-care

insurance are available to

expatriates. Supplemental

insurance provides added

beneﬁts to those covered by a

provincial or territorial plan.

Replacement insurance

provides full coverage for those

who stay abroad long enough to

become ineligible for a

Canadian plan.

Full replacement insurance is

less readily available than

supplemental insurance, but a

number of companies do

provide insurance speciﬁcally

designed for expatriates. When

considering replacement

insurance, carefully assess your

own situation, taking into

account your age, pre-existing

medical conditions and poten-

tial needs in the event of a

major or long-term illness. Be

sure to arrange for replacement

insurance before leaving

Canada and check that the

policy is valid in the country

where you plan to stay.

Shop around for the best health

insurance for a long-term stay

abroad. Ask if the policy:

• provides coverage whether or

not your provincial/territorial

health plan remains in effect;

• offers a worldwide 24-hour/

seven-day emergency contact

number in English and trans

lation services for

health-care providers in

your host country;

• pays immediately for foreign

medical costs or requires you

to pay up front and seek

reimbursement later;

• provides a cash deposit

in advance if required by a

hospital;

• covers both health and dental

care for the full duration of

your stay abroad;

Did you know…?

In addition to health insurance,

you should consider getting

enhanced life and disability

insurance. You’ll also need

insurance that offers coverage

for ﬂight cancellation, trip

interruption and lost luggage,

as well as cargo insurance for

automobiles, household goods

and other personal effects.

Insurance coverage can prevent

major disruptions and addition-

al costs when relocating abroad.

Did you know…?

• covers pre-existing medical

conditions, such as borderline

diabetes and heart disease

(ask for written conﬁrmation);

• includes coverage for injuries

resulting from adventure

activities, such as mountain

eering and scuba-diving;

• provides for a medical evacua

tion to Canada or the nearest

location with appropriate

medical facilities;

• covers premature births and

related neonatal care;

• pays expenses associated with

a death abroad, including the

repatriation to Canada of

cremated or embalmed

remains;

• provides coverage during visits

to Canada or other travel while

abroad; and

• covers the period before your

provincial/territorial plan is

renewed upon your return

to Canada.

For more suggestions on what to

look for when buying travel health

insurance, consult our booklet

Well on Your Way: A Canadian’s

Guide to Healthy Travel Abroad.

Some insurance companies will

not honour medical claims made

for injuries suffered in a country

where a Government of Canada

Travel Advisory is in effect.

Travel.gc.ca | 17

MOVING ABROAD WITH

CHILDREN

Moving to a foreign country can be

one of the most enriching experi-

ences a child will ever have, giving

rise to greater conﬁdence, adapt-

ability and intercultural awareness.

But meeting your children’s needs

can also add stress to the already

considerable challenges of relocat-

ing abroad. Before leaving Canada,

take steps to ensure a smooth

transition for you and

your family.

• Be sure to have an open

discussion with your children

so they can express their

feelings and concerns about

moving abroad.

• Arrange for appropriate daycare

or schooling. Make sure you’re

satisﬁed with the standards of

daycare offered in your

destination country. Contact

the country’s education au

thorities for information about

the school system. In addition

to public and private schools,

most countries have interna

tional schools, attended mainly

by expatriate children. Have

copies of your children’s school

records in case they’re needed.

• Remember that immigration

ofﬁcials are vigilant about

documentation for children

crossing international borders.

Unless children under 18 are

accompanied by both parents,

we strongly recommend that

they carry a consent letter

proving they have permission

to travel from every person

with the legal right to make

major decisions on their

behalf. We advise you to have

the consent letter certiﬁed,

stamped or sealed by an

ofﬁcial with the authority to

administer an oath or solemn

declaration. See travel.gc.ca/

letter for a sample consent

letter, as well as an interactive

form that you can use to

compose your own letter.

• Make sure each child has a

valid Canadian passport and

supporting identiﬁcation, such

as a birth certiﬁcate or citizen

ship card. Check with the

destination country’s embassy

or consulate in Canada regard

ing additional entry conditions

and documentation that may

be required, including divorce

papers, custody court orders or

a death certiﬁcate (if one

parent is deceased).

• Keep additional identiﬁcation

in your child’s pocket in case

you’re separated. Carry recent

photographs of the child for

emergency identiﬁcation

purposes.

• Seek advice from a lawyer if a

custody dispute might develop

while your child is living

abroad. Custody arrangements

in Canada may not be recog

nized in another country. In

extreme cases, you or your

child may not be allowed to

return to Canada. Check with

the destination country’s

embassy or consulate in

Canada before moving abroad.

• Consult with a pediatrician on

how best to protect your child’s

health while living abroad.

For more information, consult

travel.gc.ca/child.

REQUIRED TRAVEL

DOCUMENTS

Make sure your passport, necessary

visas and other documents are in

order before leaving Canada.

YOUR CANADIAN PASSPORT

A Canadian passport is the only

reliable and universally accepted

travel and identiﬁcation document

for Canadians. You and each family

member must have a valid passport

to travel or reside outside Canada.

Canadian passports for children up

to 15 years of age are valid for ﬁve

years. Passports for persons 16

years of age and older are valid for

ﬁve or 10 years, depending on the

chosen validity period.

Contact the embassy or consulate

of your destination country to

determine its rules and restric-

tions concerning passport validity.

Some countries require that your

passport be valid for at least six

months beyond the date of your

expected return to Canada. Plan

to renew your passport before your

return date if it will expire while

you’re abroad.

If you need to apply for or renew

your passport, start the process well

before your planned departure from

Canada. Allow more time if you

need a visa, since you’ll need to

obtain a passport ﬁrst.

Travel.gc.ca | 19

Did you know…?

Only the government of your

host country has the authority

to grant you a visa. The

Government of Canada cannot

intervene on your behalf.

Application forms are available

online at passportcanada.gc.ca and

in person at all Passport Canada

ofﬁces, Service Canada centres,

Canada Post outlets and Canadian

government ofﬁces abroad.

Keep the following items on hand

to make it easier to replace a

passport that’s lost or stolen while

you’re abroad:

• a photocopy of the identiﬁca-

tion (photo) page of your

passport;

• the original of your birth or

citizenship certiﬁcate;

• a copy of at least one other

document to support your

identity;

• contact information for a

Canadian government ofﬁce in

your destination country; and

• two recent photos meeting

Passport Canada speciﬁca

tions (taken within one year

and reﬂecting your current

appearance).

If your passport is lost or stolen

while you’re outside Canada, report

the incident to the local police and

to Passport Canada or the nearest

Canadian government ofﬁce abroad.

For more information on how to

apply for, care for or replace a

Canadian passport, consult

travel.gc.ca/passport.

VISAS

You need a visa to stay in most

countries for more than three

months. The most common

categories are work, student,

volunteer and residency visas.

However, you may also need a

tourist, business, visitor or other

visa for a short-term stay.

If you plan to exit and re-enter your

host country during your stay,

inquire about a multiple-entry visa

to avoid future problems. Be sure to

obtain visas well in advance. Don’t

count on entering a country as a

tourist in hopes of changing your

visa classiﬁcation later on.

Understand and respect visa terms

and conditions. Staying in a country

without the right visa or overstaying

a visa expiry date is illegal and may

result in imprisonment, a stiff ﬁne

and/or deportation.

Requirements and processing times

will vary, depending on the type of

visa you need. In order to grant you

a visa, some countries require:

• a certiﬁed criminal record

check through the RCMP or

your local police;

• a medical certiﬁcate signed by

a doctor, demonstrating that

you’re in good health and free

of speciﬁc contagious diseases;

• a certiﬁcate of a negative test

for human immunodeﬁciency

virus (HIV); and

• a yellow fever vaccination

certiﬁcate (if you’re arriving

from an infected area).

Further details on visa requirements

are available at travel.gc.ca/advice or

from the embassy or consulate of

your destination country. Remember

to check the visa requirements of

countries you may transit en route to

your host country or visit during your

stay abroad.

Work visa or permit: All countries

require you to have special permis-

sion to enter if you’ll be employed

while living there. Your prospective

employer may have to sponsor you

for a work visa or permit. It may also

be your employer’s responsibility to

obtain the document, or you may

have to do so yourself through your

host country’s embassy or consulate

in Canada. It can take months to

obtain a work visa, so start the

process well before your departure.

Know the implications if you decide

to change jobs after your arrival.

Doing so may render your visa

invalid, or you may have to leave

and re-enter the country under a

different one.

Working holiday visa: Canada has

reciprocal agreements with numer-

ous countries to encourage cultural

exchanges by enabling travellers to

experience living abroad while

undertaking short-term employment.

Student visa: Most countries require

you to have a student visa to

undertake temporary or long-term

studies. A residency visa or permit

may also be required.

Volunteer visa: Some countries

require you to have a volunteer

visa to undertake unpaid or chari-

table activities. Others demand a

work visa or permit, even if you’re

a volunteer.

Residency visa or permit: If you

stay in a country beyond the period

allowed by a typical tourist visa

(usually three to six months) for

reasons such as retirement abroad,

you’ll need a residency visa

or permit.

Marriage or spousal visa: Some

countries will grant you a marriage

or spousal visa, usually

with a speciﬁc validity period,

if you’re married to—or intend to

marry—one of their citizens or

permanent residents.

Alien registration card: Upon arrival

in your host country, you may be

required to obtain an alien registra-

tion card. You’ll have to carry it at all

times for identiﬁcation purposes and

as proof of your status, then return

it to local authorities before

your departure.

CALCULATE THE COSTS

Before leaving Canada,

make sure you can afford to

relocate abroad.

• Look into the cost of living in

your destination country, since

an average salary in Canada

isn’t adequate everywhere.

Allow for inﬂation and ex

change rate ﬂuctuations

that will likely occur while

you’re abroad.

• Know the cost of shipping

personal and household

effects. Take only what you

need and ﬁnd out what you

can buy in your destination

country. If you’ll be working or

volunteering, ﬁnd out if your

employer or recruiter will cover

the cost of moving your

belongings or provide you with

essentials when you arrive.

• Make sure you have enough

money to get properly settled,

including funds to cover

expenses such as a rental

security deposit and utility

connections. Good accommo

dations are expensive in many

countries, especially if you

need a furnished home.

• Establish an emergency fund

or make arrangements with

family or friends to assist you

in case you run out of money

while abroad or need to return

home unexpectedly.

• Take into account all duties,

fees and taxes you’ll pay on

retirement income or other

revenue. Non-residents of

Canada are taxed on income

received from sources in

Canada and may also be

subject to taxation in their

host country.

• Keep in mind not only the

cost of travelling to your host

country but also the cost of

returning to Canada, possibly

on a regular basis. Many

countries require foreign

visitors to have a valid return

ticket with a departure date

within the time limits allowed

by immigration authorities. If

you have to make an un

planned trip home, be pre-

pared to pay much more than

the average economy airfare.

• See “Manage your money” on

page 26 for tips on banking,

budgeting and other ﬁnancial

issues while living abroad.

travel.gc.ca | 21

WHILE LIVING ABROAD

STAY SAFE

No matter how secure you may feel in your host country, it’s essential to

crime-proof yourself:

important documents in a secure

place, in case the originals are

stolen or lost.

• Watch out for criminals who

target foreigners. They may work

individually or in teams, often

posing as good Samaritans or

creating distractions to steal

belongings. Be wary of new

“friends,” including locals,

fellow foreigners and even

Canadians you meet abroad.

• Make an effort not to stand out

or to give the impression that

you’re lost or vulnerable. Know

where you’re going, what you’re

doing and how to ﬁnd your way

back. Always carry the address

of your accommodations. Study

a street map before going out.

Avoid opening a map in a public

area or keep it hidden under a

newspaper. Steer clear of

isolated areas.

• Avoid displaying expensive-look

ing cameras, jewellery and other

showy accessories that mark you

as a wealthy foreigner.

• Use only legal and reputable

taxis. Never hire a taxi if the

driver approaches you in an

airport arrival area. Such services

are usually illegal and may be

unsafe. Ask someone you trust to

recommend taxi services and

Drugs and Travel

Most countries impose severe

penalties for the possession of

only a minuscule amount of

illegal drugs. Even prescription

drugs and syringes used for

legitimate medical purposes

come under intense scrutiny

and should have proper

accompanying documentation.

For more information, consult

travel.gc.ca/drugs.

• Stay alert and aware of your

surroundings. Minimize

alcohol consumption and

don’t use, carry or get involved

with illegal drugs.

• Always pack your own luggage

and never let it out of your

sight. Never carry another

person’s luggage or transport

anything—even an envelope—

across a border or through

customs for anyone else.

Conceal in a money belt or neck

pouch necessities that can’t be

easily replaced: your passport,

credit and debit cards, cash,

airline and train tickets, a copy

of your insurance policy,

medical prescriptions and

contact information for your

doctor. Keep copies of all

Travel.gc.ca | 23

Did you know…?

Some countries require visitors

to carry photo identiﬁcation,

such as a passport or resident

card, at all times. Failure to do

so could result in arrest, a ﬁne

or other serious consequences.

A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD

Chances are you’ll need

temporary accommodations before

you get settled in your host

country. Exercise caution when

choosing both short-term and

long-term lodgings:

• Make sure you feel comfortable

about your accommodations and

their location. Do the doors lock

properly? Are there ﬁre alarms

and escape routes? Don’t stay

anywhere unless you feel safe.

• Avoid lodgings on the ground

ﬂoor or with easy access from

the outside, such as from a

balcony or ﬁre escape.

• Understand the risks of staying

in low-budget accommodations,

such as youth hostels and

dormitories. Never leave valu

ables or travel documents

behind in your room. Keep them

close to you if you sleep in a

dorm. Bear in mind that accept

ing lodgings from a stranger

could be an invitation to danger.

• Even if you choose luxury

accommodations, you should

always be vigilant. Ensure that

the door of your room is locked,

even when you’re inside. Never

open your door to anyone

without looking through the

peephole, using a door chain or

conﬁrming the visitor’s identity.

• Never leave your window open,

especially if your lodgings are

on the ground ﬂoor or have

a balcony.

avoid the risk of hailing an

unlicensed cab on the street.

• Beware of credit card fraud.

Never let your credit card out of

your sight. If you use an ATM,

do so during business hours at a

location inside a bank, super

market or large commercial

building. Make note of credit

and debit card numbers so they

can be cancelled quickly.

Did you know…?

When you arrive in your host

country, you should make a point of

locating the nearest reputable clinic

or hospital and noting the hours of

operation. Don’t wait for an emer-

gency—it may be too late! Contact

the nearest Canadian embassy or

consulate for a list of local doctors

and hospitals.

Keep in mind that it’s best to avoid

hospitals and dental facilities in

countries with poor hygiene stan-

dards. For country-speciﬁc informa-

tion, see travel.gc.ca/advice.

HEALTH CARE

If you spend a signiﬁcant period

abroad, you may be more exposed

to health risks than a short-term

traveller. You may need to learn

how to shop for and prepare food

safely, in addition to ensuring

access to safe and potable water.

You’ll also have to arrange for

health care for yourself and

accompanying family members.

Health care is a serious issue for

Canadian expatriates because few

countries have systems as com-

prehensive or as inexpensive as

Canada’s. Some countries have

comprehensive health-care plans

that will cover you, after a waiting

period, if you immigrate.

However, most countries don’t

offer such programs.

Many developing countries provide

free health care to citizens and

permanent residents. But most

Canadians living in these countries

seek private health care, which is

usually of a higher quality and

involves shorter wait times. Private

medical facilities are reasonably

advanced in most countries and

will usually see you immediately

for a fee. Faced with these trade-

offs, most Canadians choose the

private alternative and make sure

they’re well covered by supplemen-

tal or replacement insurance. See

“Purchase the best insurance

you can afford” on page 14 for

more information.

Travel.gc.ca | 25

CULTURE SHOCK

Most people living abroad experi-

ence a period of adaptation known

as culture shock. This form of

psychological stress affects even

seasoned expatriates and occurs

when familiar cues and patterns

are no longer present.

The symptoms may be ﬂeeting or

last several months, and their

intensity varies from person to

person. Individuals facing mental

health issues, such as anxiety and

depression, prior to departure are

most at risk. It’s important to

recognize the symptoms of culture

shock, which usually follow a

familiar pattern.

During the ﬁrst phase, often

described as the “honeymoon

stage,” most encounters in the

new country are perceived as

exciting and positive.

During the second phase, some-

times called the “emptiness

stage,” foreigners typically feel a

sense of dislocation and unease.

Symptoms may include:

• feelings of anger, frustration

and irritability, especially a

loss of one’s sense of humour;

• negative feelings about the

people and culture of the host

country; and

• boredom, fatigue and

inability to concentrate or

work effectively.

During the third and ﬁnal phase,

foreigners start to accept their

surroundings and make a compro-

mise between the honeymoon and

emptiness stages.

MANAGE YOUR MONEY

Managing your ﬁnances—from

budgeting and banking to paying

taxes and purchasing property—is

an integral part of living abroad. It

may be difﬁcult to assess how

much money you can spend due

to unforeseen expenses or unfa-

miliarity with local currency and

costs. If you’re paid in the local

currency, you may be vulnerable

to inﬂation and currency ﬂuctua-

tions. Among the factors that

Cushioning the impact

The best strategy for coping with culture shock is to make a conscious

effort to adjust to your new environment:

• Learn the social do’s and don’ts of your host country and make an

effort to meet the locals. Communication will be easier if you know

how to greet people, how to dress and how to behave.

• Take time to study the language. It will make life simpler and show

your desire to be part of the community. Start with a few simple

phrases, then gradually expand your vocabulary.

• Get involved in some aspect of the local culture, such as the music

or cuisine, or learn a new sport or martial art. You’ll meet new people

and get a greater sense of belonging.

• Maintain contact with family and friends back home. Sharing your

experiences and problems can help you adapt to the local

environment.

• Take care of yourself. Be sure to eat well, exercise and get enough

sleep, and avoid heavy alcohol consumption. If you take medication

for a mental health condition, don’t reduce or discontinue your

dosage during this period.

• Take time to travel and explore the country’s sights and attractions.

• Avoid idealizing life back home. Make the most of your stay and keep

an open mind.

• Consider getting involved with the Canadian expatriate community to

lessen your sense of isolation.

could diminish your income are

recessions, stock market crashes

and the devaluation of the cur-

rency in which your pension or

other beneﬁts are paid. Ensure

that your income is, and remains,

enough to live on.

It’s also a good idea to consult

a private ﬁnancial planner, who

can provide advice on such

matters as contributing to a

Registered Retirement Savings

Plan and the Canada Pension

Plan while you’re abroad.

Travel.gc.ca | 27

OPENING A FOREIGN BANK ACCOUNT

You’ll almost certainly want to

set up a bank account in your

host country, preferably one that

can be fed by funds from a

Canadian account. To do so,

you’ll need to go to a local

foreign exchange bank with your

passport, residency permit and

Canadian banking information

(including your branch and

account number). Usually some-

one who can speak English will

be available to assist you. The

process can be complicated and

time-consuming, so ensure that

you have an alternative source of

funds during this period.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

ON BANKING ABROAD

• Advise your Canadian bank and

credit card company about the

period you’ll be abroad.

• Look into the feasibility of

transferring money between

accounts in Canada and your

host country. Know how much

money you’re allowed to send

home. The amount may be

strictly regulated by your

host country.

• Retain all receipts, transaction

records and documentation on

ﬁnancial transfers.

• Exchange money using only

authorized agents to avoid

violating local laws.

• Have a variety of ways of

accessing your money overseas,

such as credit cards, debit cards

and cash.

RECEIVING A

PUBLIC PENSION ABROAD

Canada Pension Plan (CPP),

Quebec Pension Plan (QPP)

and Old Age Security (OAS)

beneﬁts may be paid to you

while living abroad, subject to

certain conditions.

CPP and QPP beneﬁts are paid

outside Canada, as long as all

conditions of eligibility are met.

OAS is paid outside Canada if the

pensioner lived in Canada for at

least 20 years after age 18. The

OAS system is intended to guar-

antee a minimum income to

seniors. Eligibility is determined

by an income test. To receive OAS

beneﬁts outside Canada, you’re

generally required to ﬁle an

annual tax return reporting your

worldwide income. For details,

see canadabeneﬁts.gc.ca.

TAXATION

Your tax obligations while living

abroad depend largely on whether

you’re a resident or non-resident of

Canada. Your status is determined

by a number of factors, including

the purpose and permanence of

your stay abroad, the duration and

frequency of your visits to Canada

and whether you’ve severed your

residential ties with Canada. Be

sure to review your situation with

the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)

to avoid surprises.

The CRA publication T4131,

Canadian Residents Abroad, is an

excellent source of information to

determine your residency status,

the speciﬁc tax package you

should use, and your eligibility for

the Foreign Tax Credit and

Overseas Employment Tax Credit,

in addition to other ways of

reducing the taxes you owe in

Canada. It also addresses tax

treaties between Canada and

certain countries, which allow you

to avoid being taxed in two coun-

tries on the same income.

The CRA’s International Tax

Services Ofﬁce processes income

tax returns for non-residents and

Online banking

Most ﬁnancial institutions allow

you to access your account to

check balances, pay bills and

transfer funds anywhere in the

world. It’s not advisable to

conduct transactions in cyberca-

fés or other areas where Internet

service is available to the public,

as it’s difﬁcult to ensure that

computers are free of hacking

programs that can capture

personal and account informa-

tion. If you must complete

transactions on a public com-

puter, be sure to erase all traces

afterwards by clearing the

Internet browser’s cache.

Did you know…?

As a rule, you cannot receive

welfare, disability or other

forms of social assistance while

living abroad. Contact your

provincial or territorial authori-

ties for details.

deemed residents of Canada,

including Canadians working

abroad. It also provides assistance

by telephone and postal correspon-

dence and looks after all non-resi-

dent tax withholding accounts.

See travel.gc.ca/taxation for

more information.

Travel.gc.ca | 29

LEGAL MATTERS

While abroad, you’re subject to

the laws and regulations of your

host country. Your Canadian

citizenship offers no immunity.

When in doubt, seek professional

legal advice. The nearest

Canadian embassy or consulate

can provide you with a list of

English-speaking lawyers who may

be able to assist you.

MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

Laws and procedures regarding

marriage and divorce vary widely

from country to country, often

resulting in unexpected

complications.

• If you plan to marry while

living abroad, understand that

some countries enforce tight

restrictions on a woman’s right

to seek property entitlement,

inheritance, divorce, alimony

and child custody. A husband

may be entitled to impose

strict controls on his wife and

children, preventing their

return to Canada without

his permission.

• Make sure you understand the

laws and conventions of your

host country regarding relation

ships and marriage, as well as

their implications for children.

In case of separation or

divorce, investigate the rules

concerning child custody and

property settlement. If your

spouse is a citizen of your host

country, he or she may have

more rights than you do as a

foreigner. You could also be at

a disadvantage if the country

has a tradition of deciding

child custody cases on the

basis of gender or religious

belief. Contact a legal repre

sentative or the appropriate

authorities of your host country

for more information.

• Find out if a marriage or

divorce performed in your host

country will be legally recog

nized upon your return to

Canada by consulting with the

vital statistics ofﬁce of the

province or territory where you

will live.

• If your future spouse is not

Canadian, conﬁrm if he or she

will be eligible to return to

Canada with you on a tempo

rary or permanent basis by

contacting the nearest

Citizenship and Immigration

Canada ofﬁce abroad.

• For additional details, see our

“Marriage Overseas” page at

travel.gc.ca/marriage.

Did you know…?

If a child custody dispute arises

while you’re abroad, you can

contact Global Affairs Canada’s

Case Support and Children’s

Issues Division through our

Emergency Watch and

Response Centre (see page 10).

BUYING PROPERTY

Purchasing property in another

country is a major decision. The

laws and customs pertaining to real

estate can be very different abroad

than at home, resulting in unfore-

seen risks and problems with

ownership rights. For example, in

Mexico, foreigners require a special

permit to purchase land and can

only buy property in coastal and

border zones through a bank trust.

• Proceed with caution if you

plan to buy property. It’s usually

best to rent for a while before

committing to purchase a

home. Research local property

laws and investigate all aspects

of the purchase, including such

claims as “beach access,”

which may be false. Consult

travel.gc.ca/advice to ﬁnd out if

problems, such as real estate

fraud, are widespread in your

host country.

Did you know…?

While same-sex marriages

are legal in Canada, they

aren’t recognized in many

countries. Same-sex civil

unions are more widely rec-

ognized abroad. Canadians

attempting to visit a foreign

country as a same-sex married

couple may be refused entry

by border ofﬁcials. Moreover,

homosexual activity is a crimi-

nal offence in certain countries

and could result in severe pun-

ishment, including imprison-

ment or the death penalty. For

country-speciﬁc information,

consult travel.gc.ca/advice or

your host country’s embassy or

consulate in Canada.

Travel.gc.ca | 31

• Hire a legal representative with

expertise in local real estate

law, who only represents you

and is independent of anyone

else involved in the transaction

(e.g., a real estate agent or

vendor). If possible, appoint a

Canadian lawyer with expertise

in the laws of your host coun

try. Never sign anything that

hasn’t been carefully reviewed

by your lawyer. If things go

wrong, remember that property

disputes are private legal

matters that can only be

resolved through local courts.

The Government of Canada

cannot intervene.

• Make a will to avoid creating

problems for heirs to your

property or other assets you

hold abroad.

Bribery

Canada’s Corruption of Foreign

Public Ofﬁcials Act prohibits

Canadian citizens or businesses

from bribing foreign public

ofﬁcials to obtain or retain a

business advantage. A

Canadian who gives or offers a

loan, reward, advantage or any

other beneﬁt to a foreign public

ofﬁcial (or another person on

behalf of an ofﬁcial) can be

prosecuted in a Canadian or

foreign court. Violation of the

act is a criminal offence,

punishable by imprisonment for

up to ﬁve years.

IMMIGRATION AND

CITIZENSHIP

You may wish to seek permanent

residency, citizenship status or

both, depending on the immigra-

tion regulations of the country you

live in. Either involves establish-

ing legal status beyond that of a

short-term visitor. Be aware of the

implications, including the

likelihood of being prevented

from obtaining Canadian consular

assistance in your host country.

For more information, see “Dual

citizenship—blessing or burden?”

on page 9, or consult our publica-

tion Dual Citizenship: What You

Need to Know.

Not all countries regulate lawyers

and real estate agents as scrupu-

lously as Canada does. For exam-

ple, rules governing conﬂict of

interest by lawyers can be lax in

many parts of the world. Real

estate agents in Latin America and

the Caribbean generally require no

qualiﬁcations and aren’t prevented

from promoting sales in which

they have an undisclosed interest.

Furthermore, local authorities may

disregard complaints from foreign

residents about crooked dealings,

especially if the lawyer or agent

concerned is an established

member of the community.

Did you know…?

REGULATIONS FOR IMMIGRANTS

Immigration regulations vary

enormously from country to

country, but are usually based on

three principles: employment,

investment and family connec-

tions. Some countries accept

individuals with adequate guaran-

teed income—including pension

beneﬁts—as potential immigrants.

For example, Mexico classiﬁes an

eligible retiree or other permanent

resident as an inmigrante rentista,

or long-term immigrant. However,

the United States doesn’t recog-

nize retirement as a reason for

establishing permanent residency.

Many countries require you to

apply to immigrate before you

arrive. Others will allow you to

enter as a tourist and apply for

immigration later. Contact the

immigration authorities of your

destination country for details.

REGULATIONS FOR

TEMPORARY VISITORS

Seasonal retirees, volunteers,

students and other Canadians

who reside abroad for less than

six months each year can visit

many countries as tourists. A

valid passport is often the only

entry requirement.

However, some countries impose

tight restrictions on the length of

time temporary visitors can stay.

For example, Costa Rica limits

tourists to a maximum stay of

90 days. Students must obtain an

Canadian birthright

Canadian parents are not

required to register the birth

of a child abroad. Even so,

you may wish to get proof of

your baby’s citizenship, as it

will be needed to obtain a

Canadian passport. Contact

the nearest Canadian em-

bassy or consulate abroad to

apply for a Certiﬁcate of

Canadian Citizenship as well

as a passport for your child.

Start the process early, as it

may take a while. For more

information, see Citizenship

and Immigration Canada’s

website (cic.gc.ca).

appropriate visa from Costa Rican

immigration authorities and

provide conﬁrmation of enrolment

in an accredited institution.

Think twice about settling in a

country where you can only enter

as a tourist, especially if you’re

planning to purchase a home.

Instead, you may wish to apply for

legal residency, which removes

restrictions on the length of your

stay and gives reasonable assur-

ance that you’ll be able to re-enter

the country at any time. Taking out

legal residency in another country

doesn’t prevent you from maintain-

ing Canadian residency.

Travel.gc.ca | 33

DRIVING

Trafﬁc accidents are the leading

cause of injury and death among

international travellers. Take special

precautions when driving abroad:

• Find out if you’re required by

local laws to hold an

International Driving Permit

(IDP). Available through the

Canadian Automobile

Association (caa.ca), the IDP is

proof that you hold a valid

driver’s licence in Canada.

Keep in mind that the IDP is

valid for only one year from the

date of issue or until your

Canadian licence expires,

whichever comes ﬁrst.

Remember to safeguard your

Canadian licence and renew it

before the expiry date, as it

may be difﬁcult to replace

from abroad. Note that some

countries require foreign

drivers to obtain a local licence

after a speciﬁed period.

• Conﬁrm that you’re insured

to drive abroad and have

comprehensive coverage for

loss or damage, liability,

collision, medical expenses

resulting from an accident

and other risks.

• Educate yourself on local trafﬁc

laws and comply with speed

limits, legal alcohol levels, road

safety procedures and mechani

cal requirements.

• Drive defensively. Motorist

habits and road conditions vary

markedly from country to

country. Carefully plan road

trips in advance and know

where you’re going at all times.

Always lock the doors to

prevent carjackers and thieves

from getting in with you.

• If you operate a vehicle import

ed from Canada, ensure that it’s

equipped for local driving—for

example, headlight converters

for left-hand driving, an ap

proved emergency breakdown

kit, an oval sticker on the rear

indicating “CDN” (the licence

plate country code for Canada).

• Before buying an automobile

abroad, conﬁrm if you’re

allowed to bring it home. For

details, see the Canada Border

Services Agency publication

Importing a Vehicle into Canada

(cbsa.gc.ca).

CONSULAR SERVICES

Canadian consular ofcials are

ready to assist you at embassies

and consulates around the world.

We can:

• Arrange help in a medical

emergency by providing you

with a list of local doctors

and hospitals.

• Help coordinate a medical

evacuation if a necessary

treatment is not available

locally (fees apply).

• Provide advice and contact

information on local police

and medical services to

victims of robbery, sexual

assault or other violence.

• Supply you with a list of

local lawyers.

• Provide you with sources of

information about local laws

and regulations.

• Seek to ensure you’re treated

fairly under the country’s laws

if you’re arrested or detained.

• Replace a lost, stolen, dam

aged or expired passport

(fees apply).

• Contact relatives or friends to

request assistance in sending

you money or airline tickets.

• Contact next of kin, with your

authorization, if you have

an accident or are detained

by police.

Did you know…?

Emergency consular assistance

is available 24 hours a day,

seven days a week. See “In case

of an emergency…” on page 10

for more information.

• Provide advice about burying

a Canadian abroad or assist in

repatriating the remains to

Canada (fees apply).

However, we cannot:

• Intervene in private

legal matters.

• Investigate a crime or death.

• Ask local authorities to give

you preferential treatment.

• Make travel arrangements.

• Assist with job hunting.

• Help you ﬁnd

accommodations.

A complete list of services we can

and cannot provide is available at

travel.gc.ca/servicesoffered. See

travel.gc.ca/ofﬁces for a list of

Canadian embassies and consul-

ates worldwide.

Travel.gc.ca | 35

DEATH ABROAD

If a Canadian relative or friend

dies abroad, you should immedi-

ately contact the nearest

Canadian embassy or consulate or

our Emergency Watch and

Response Centre. Consular

ofﬁcials can assist you in making

the necessary arrangements to:

• register the death with local

and Canadian provincial or

territorial authorities;

• obtain documentation, includ

ing a death certiﬁcate, au-

topsy report or police report;

• acquire information on the

circumstances surrounding

the death; and

• return the remains of your

loved one to Canada.

Fees may apply. For more infor-

mation, see our FAQ on “Death

Abroad” at travel.gc.ca/faq.

Have an

emergency plan

When living abroad, it’s essen-

tial for you and your loved ones

to have an emergency plan. It

will help you:

• know what to do in case of a

major crisis, such as a natural

disaster or civil unrest;

• identify escape routes from

your home and workplace and

a safe meeting place to

reunite; and

• build a 72-hour emergency

kit, including food, water, a

ﬂashlight and other

essentials.

For more information on

creating an emergency plan,

visit getprepared.gc.ca.

KEEP CONNECTED

Despite the enchantment of living

abroad, you may ﬁnd that you

depend more than ever on contact

with Canada. Sharing your experi-

ences and problems with family

and friends and receiving news

from home can have a stabilizing

inﬂuence while you’re getting

accustomed to being a foreigner

in a faraway land. Having a strong

support network in Canada will

also make your eventual home-

coming easier.

Keep your contacts in Canada

informed of your whereabouts and

any changes in your plans.

Canadian consular ofﬁcials receive

countless calls from distraught

friends and family who haven’t

heard from loved ones abroad.

Don’t expect communications to be

as advanced in every corner of the

world as in Canada.

Voting

Eligible Canadians can vote in

federal elections while tempo-

rarily living abroad. To vote by

special mail-in ballot, you must

ﬁrst send an Application for

Registration and Special Ballot

form to Elections Canada. At

the call of an election, you’ll

receive a voting kit with

instructions. For further details,

see travel.gc.ca/voting.

Travel.gc.ca | 37

Telephone: Telecommunications services in many countries are

unreliable and more expensive than in Canada. You may be

unable to get a land line immediately. Waiting times in some

countries can run into months, and large cash deposits may be

required, especially from foreigners. A cell phone is often a better

bet than a land line in countries with mobile services.

Internet: Web access is widely available worldwide but is limited

by each country’s infrastructure and networking technologies.

Private Internet connections may be difﬁcult to obtain. Don’t

expect the same high-speed access in developing nations as you

would in Canada.

Television and radio: Canadian television broadcasts are available

worldwide via Internet and satellite. Tune in to Radio Canada

International at rcinet.ca for online programming about Canada.

Mail: Postal services tend to be slow and undependable in

developing countries. It may be more practical to have your mail

sent to a forwarding service in Canada, then periodically couri-

ered to you.

Canadian expatriate community: Plugging into the expat network

can soften your sense of culture shock and give you vital support

while you’re settling into your new environment and seeking

connections.

Travel information: Get the latest information through

our Country Travel Advice and Advisories (travel.gc.ca/advice),

Latest News and Warnings (travel.gc.ca/issues), Travel Updates

(travel.gc.ca/updates), RSS feeds (travel.gc.ca/rssfeeds) or by

connecting with us through Twitter (@travelGoC), Facebook

(facebook.com/travelGoC) or Foursquare (foursquare.com/

travelgoc).

COMING BACK TO CANADA

PLANNING FOR YOUR RETURN

Expect to face a period of readjustment when returning to Canada. You

may experience a reverse form of culture shock, including feelings of

anxiety, groundlessness and even depression. A little planning can go a

long way toward facilitating your homecoming.

Be prepared to pay a departure

tax in the local currency when you

leave. Other countries you pass

through en route to Canada may

also charge fees.

BRINGING IT HOME

Depending on how long you’ve

lived abroad, you may be subject

to import provisions for personal

belongings and household goods

upon your return to Canada.

Declare all items acquired abroad,

whether they’re intended for you

or as gifts. Keep original receipts

for possible inspection.

Importing pets

When returning to Canada with a

dog or cat, you’ll have to present

a certiﬁcate stating that the

animal has been vaccinated for

rabies. Other pets may require an

import permit. For more informa-

tion, see travel.gc.ca/pets.

DEPARTURE CLEARANCE AND TAX

It’s important to settle any obliga-

tions before leaving your host

country. Make sure you’ve paid

your local bills or made arrange-

ments to do so. If you’ve obtained

citizenship, permanent residency

or any other form of legal status

in the country, you may need

departure clearance to leave.

Approval usually depends on the

satisfactory inspection of travel

documents, permits or other

ofﬁcial forms. For example,

some countries ask for a state-

ment from local tax authorities

that you’ve met all obligations.

Others will terminate your resi-

dency permit if you’re leaving

for an extended period.

Travel.gc.ca | 39

There are no restrictions on how

much money you can bring into

Canada, but you must report a

sum of $10,000 or more to a

customs ofﬁcer.

For more information on what

you can bring home, see

travel.gc.ca/customs.

ILLEGAL SOUVENIRS

There are restrictions on bringing

certain goods into Canada. If

you’re thinking of importing meat,

eggs, dairy products, fresh fruits

or vegetables, plants, animals or

items made from their feathers or

skins, contact the Canada Border

Services Agency beforehand for

guidance. For up-to-date informa-

tion on import requirements, see

travel.gc.ca/customs.

Many items brought illegally into

Canada, such as elephant ivory,

coral jewellery and sea turtle

shells, are made from endangered

animals and plants. They’re

among the 34,000 species

regulated under the Convention

on International Trade in

Endangered Species of Wild

Fauna and Flora (CITES). A

violation of CITES could lead to

seizure of your purchase, as well

as a ﬁne and/or prison term.

Consult Environment Canada’s

CITES website at ec.gc.ca/cites

for details.

Post-travel medical

matters

If you become sick or feel

unwell after returning to

Canada, you should see your

doctor immediately. Remember

to mention that you’ve been

living abroad, what countries

you’ve visited, if you were ill

while outside Canada and what

medical treatment you received.

Did you know…?

• It’s illegal to bring obscene

materials, child pornography

or hate propaganda of any

kind into Canada.

• Products banned in Canada

due to safety hazards are

listed on Health Canada’s

website under “Consumer

Product Safety” (hc-sc.gc.ca).

• Information on importing

weapons is available on the

Canadian Firearms Program

website (rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp).

Also, be aware that it may be

illegal to bring home cultural

property, such as antiques and

fossils, whose export is banned or

controlled by your host country.

Strict penalties may be imposed,

and cultural property may be

conﬁscated and returned to the

country of origin. For more

information, consult with your

host country’s border authorities

or Canadian Heritage at

canadianheritage.gc.ca/travel.

SOCIAL INSURANCE NUMBER

If you’ve lived abroad for an

extended period and haven’t

ﬁled a tax return in Canada for

at least ﬁve years, your social

insurance number (SIN) may be

deactivated. To have it reactivat-

ed, you’ll need to provide proof of

identity and an acceptable

explanation for the period of

inactivity. For more information,

consult the Service Canada

website at servicecanada.gc.ca,

visit the nearest Service Canada

ofﬁce or call 1-800-206-7218

(in Canada) or 506-548-7961

(from abroad).

PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL HEALTH

INSURANCE

Your provincial or territorial health

plan will become invalid if you’ve

been abroad beyond a certain

length of time, typically six

months. There could be a requali-

ﬁcation period before your cover-

age is reinstated. This period may

be covered by replacement

insurance you purchased while

abroad. If not, health insurance

plans are available for temporary

visitors to Canada, usually pur-

chased upon arrival.

Be sure to apply for reinstatement

of your provincial/territorial health

plan upon your return to Canada.

For more information or to ﬁnd out

what conditions apply to you,

contact your regional health-care

authority. Links to the ofﬁcial

government websites of Canada’s

provinces and territories may be

found at canada.gc.ca/othergov-

autregouv/prov-eng.html.

Travel.gc.ca | 41

FOR MORE INFORMATION

GLOBAL AFFAIRS CANADA

travel.gc.ca

125 Sussex Drive

Ottawa ON K1A 0G2

General

1-800-267-6788 (in Canada

and the U.S.) or 613-944-6788

TTY: 1-800-394-3472 (in Canada

and the U.S.) or 613-944-1310

[email protected]

Emergencies

travel.gc.ca/emergencies

613-996-8885 (call collect from

abroad, where service is available)

[email protected]

Publications (free)

Access or order our safe-travel

publications at travel.gc.ca/

publication or by calling

1-800-267-8376 (in Canada)

or 613-944-4000.

Travel Advice and Advisories

See travel.gc.ca/advice for essential

information on safety and security,

local laws and customs, health

conditions and entry requirements for

more than 200 destinations. Advice

is also available by phone:

1-800-267-6788 (in Canada and the

U.S.) or 613-944-6788.

Travel health information

See travel.gc.ca/health for travel

health advisories and a directory of

travel health clinics in Canada.

Stay connected

Twitter (@travelGoC)

Facebook (facebook.com/travelGoC)

Foursquare (foursquare.com/travelgoc)

Email Travel Updates

(travel.gc.ca/updates)

RSS feeds (travel.gc.ca/rss)

Accessibility for disabled travellers

travel.gc.ca/disabledtravellers

Canadian government ofﬁces abroad

travel.gc.ca/ofﬁces

Canadian passports

travel.gc.ca/passport

Consent letter for children

travelling abroad

travel.gc.ca/letter

Consular services for Canadians

travel.gc.ca/servicesoffered

Feedback on consular services

travel.gc.ca/feedback

Import requirements for Canadians

travel.gc.ca/customs

Registration of Canadians Abroad

travel.gc.ca/register

Tax obligations while abroad

travel.gc.ca/taxation

Travelling with children

travel.gc.ca/child

Travelling with animals

travel.gc.ca/pets

Voting from abroad

travel.gc.ca/voting

Canada Border Services Agency

cbsa.gc.ca

Border Information Service Line

1-800-461-9999 (in Canada) or

204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064

Canada Revenue Agency

cra.gc.ca

International Tax Services Ofﬁce

1-800-267-5177 (in Canada

and the U.S.) or 613-952-3741

Non-Resident Withholding Accounts

1-800-267-3395 (in Canada and the

U.S.) or 613-952-2344 (collect calls

accepted)

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

beaware.gc.ca

1-800-442-2342

National Import Service Centre (ISC)

1-800-835-4486

Canadian Heritage

canadianheritage.gc.ca/travel

Movable Cultural Property Program

1-866-811-0055 or 819-997-7761

[email protected]

Immigration, Refugees and

Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

cic.gc.ca

CIC Call Centre

1-888-242-2100 (in Canada)

TTY: 1-888-576-8502 (in Canada,

from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time)

Elections Canada

elections.ca

General questions

1-800-463-6868 (in Canada and

the U.S.) or 613-993-2975

TTY: 1-800-361-8935 (in Canada

and the U.S.)

Environment and Climate Change

Canada

ec.gc.ca/cites

1-800-668-6767 (in Canada)

or 819-997-1840

[email protected]

Passport Canada

passportcanada.gc.ca

Passports, certiﬁcates of identity and

travel documents

1-800-567-6868 (in Canada

and the continental U.S.) or

819-997-8338 (from abroad)

TTY: 1-866-255-7655 (in Canada

and the continental U.S.) or

514-283-5197 (from abroad)

Public Health Agency of Canada

travelhealth.gc.ca

General Information and

Recommendations on Travel

Health Topics

phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/info/

index-eng.php

Public Safety Canada

getprepared.gc.ca

1-800-622-6232

[email protected]

Travel.gc.ca | 43

www.canada.ca/iec- eic

1-877-461-2346

Abroad

TRAVEL&WORK

and Citizenship Canada

Immigration, Refugees

et Citoyenneté Canada

Immigration, Réfugiés

Feedback

Your views are important to us and will help us

continue to offer world-class consular services.

To share your comments, visit travel.gc.ca/feedback.

Living Abroad Checklist

Remember to take these important steps before leaving Canada:

£ Assess your readiness to live abroad by weighing the rewards and

risks of adapting to another language, pace of life, laws and

customs, climate and security conditions.

£ Conﬁrm the legitimacy of work, study, volunteer, retirement or

other opportunities abroad.

£ Consult our Travel Advice and Advisories (travel.gc.ca/advice) and

the publication Bon Voyage, But… Essential Information

for Canadian Travellers (travel.gc.ca/publication).

£ Ensure that you can afford to move abroad by calculating the

costs (e.g., transportation, shipping household effects, settling

into a new home, the cost of living).

£ Plan for long-term health needs by obtaining a pre-departure

health assessment, vaccinations, prescriptions, medical supplies,

extra eyeglasses, supplemental or replacement insurance.

£ Check whether dual citizenship could cause complications for you

in your host country.

£ Obtain all required travel documentation (e.g., passports, visas,

medical certiﬁcates, criminal record checks). Leave copies of your

documents and insurance policy with friends or family in Canada.

£ If you’re going abroad with children, carry a consent letter proving

they have permission to travel from every non-accompanying

person with the legal right to make major decisions on their

behalf (travel.gc.ca/letter); check with your host country’s immi-

gration authorities regarding additional entry requirements;

arrange for appropriate daycare or schooling.

£ Sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad service

(travel.gc.ca/register) so that we can contact and assist you

in case of an emergency.

£ Carry an Emergency Contact Card with the coordinates of the

nearest Canadian government ofﬁce in your host country

(travel.gc.ca/card).