Canada welcomes visitors from all over the world, enjoying a healthy tourist industry. There are popular vacation sites that beckon foreigners from the east coast to the west. Visitors flock to the urban centers for big city excitement, cultural events, and sightseeing. Many chose to travel to the ski slopes in western Canada for recreational vacations. Wherever one chooses to visit in this vast and interesting country care must be taken to have all papers and documents ready for entry. There are a few requirements that must be met to enter Canada on your vacation. Once these are in order your vacation should proceed with no hitches.
You will need a visa to visit Canada if you are a legal citizen of any of the countries or territories listed on this site: www.cic.gc.ca . There are various criteria that must be met. Check with a visa center in your own country before your trip to learn what you will be required to produce to Canadian officials at the borders.
You will generally need a valid passport in order to enter Canada. A valid driver's license, a certificate of citizenship, and/or a valid photo identification are sometimes sufficient. Again, check with officials in your own country for information regarding entry.
Most people will not be required to show proof of a medical examination, but those from 'red flagged' countries might have to provide this documentation. Information regarding time limits and details for specific countries can be found here: www.cic.gc.ca.
Certain objects cannot be brought into Canada, including illegal drugs, firearms, perishable foods, and certain fruits or plants that could harbor dangerous or damaging pests.
There are also restrictions on entering Canada with alcohol and tobacco.
If you would like to determine more specifics regarding entering Canada from your country, a calculator can be found at www.goingtocanada.gc.ca that will explain what steps you need to take in order to be prepared for entering Canada. The requirements vary from country to country.
In making plans to vacation in Canada, the visitor should ensure that his health insurance is valid for emergencies that could arise during the vacation. Some visitors purchase temporary travel insurance if their own policies do not cover them while traveling. The Canadian health care system does not cover foreigners who are visiting Canada.
