Canadian
Passport and Visa Information
Canada Post Outlets are now Receiving Agents for the Passport Office
Canada Post and the Passport Office have been working together to facilitate the processing and issuance of passports. This partnership will provide better customer service by increasing the number of points of service for would-be travellers.
16 Canada Post outlets are designated to receive passport applications for review before they are processed by the Passport office. The service is offered in Barrie, Toronto, Sudbury, North Bay, Bradford, Charleottetown and Summerside as well as 9 locaitons in Quebec. Trained Canada Post employees will review passport applications to ensure the documentation is in order. The passport is then forwarded to the Passport office. When the passport is ready, it is sent to the applicant by courier.
There is a $15 non-refundable convenience fee payable to Canada Post for this service. (Taxes are applicable).
Visit http://www.ppt.gc.ca/service/index.aspx?lang=e for a list of designated Canada Post Outlets.
CANPASS Air
Travellers flying into Winnipeg, Calgary, Halifax, Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver international airports are now able to clear customs and immigration in the blink of an eye!
CANPASS Air facilitates efficient and secure entry in Canada for pre-approved, low-risk travellers. This program allows members to meet their border clearance obligations by simply looking into a camera that recognizes the iris of the eye as proof of identity. These travellers are identified quickly and securely. Security and the improved free flow of travellers are the cornerstones of the CANPASS Air program.
Citizens and permanent residents of Canada and citizens and resident aliens of the United States who have resided in either country, or a combination of both countries, for the last three consecutive years can apply.
For complete information including an application and members guide, click on the following link: CANPASS
Reminder from Passport Canada
The old two-page adult passport application form will no longer be accepted by Passport Canada. The new form can be downloaded from their website http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency/whti-ivho/menu-e.html or picked up at any Canada Post outlet or regional Passport Office.
Passport & Visa Information
Entry requirements are determined by your citizenship, your destination and transit points, duration of stay, and for non-Canadian citizens, your status within Canada.
For Canadian citizens, a valid passport, regardless of your destination is always recommended for travel outside Canada. Some countries even require that your passport is valid six months after your planned return. Other destinations may only require an original proof of citizenship along with government-issued photo identification.
Check with your TravelPlus consultant to determine the documents you require. It then becomes your responsibility to make sure that you obtain and carry the correct documentation for entry into other countries and re-entry into Canada.
Your TravelPlus consultant can also tell you when a visa is required by the country you are visiting. A visa is a stamp in your passport permitting you to enter a specific country for a determined amount of time and number of times. We can tell you what is required for your visa and help you obtain one. Plan to request these documents well in advance of your trip, since processing times vary from days to weeks.
Permanent Resident Card Mandatory
Effective December 31, 2003, persons who are permanent residents (landed immigrants only, not Canadian citizens) will require a Permanent Resident card to return to Canada after a trip abroad. Otherwise they will not be permitted to board a commercial carrier back to Canada. The PR card replaces the IMM 1000 Record of Landing form, which will no longer be valid for travel. Applications are available by telephone at 1-800-255-4541 or www.cic.gc.ca.
Useful links:
For passport processing times, an online application and other passport information, see the Canadian Passport Office Web site: http://www.ppt.gc.ca
For information on entry requirements to other countries, see the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Web site: www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/intro-en.asp
For
information on the Permanent Resident Card, if you are not a Canadian
Citizen, see the Citizenship and Immigration Web site: www.cic.gc.ca
