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The Canadian government has launched a new redesigned passport containing features that will make it more difficult to alter or forge. Added features include an embedded photo, holograms, digital printing, a "ghost" photograph and optically variable ink. New passports will be issued gradually, from May through December as passport offices across Canada upgrade equipment and training to meet new security standards. Previously issued passports will remain valid until their date of expiry. The cost of a new adult passport is $85.
Passports and visas are the traveller's responsibility. If you have any questions, please ask us or contact Visa and Passport Connection at 604-689-3131.
To download Canadian Passport application forms click here.
Remember that children, too, need proof of citizenship when leaving the country. In addition, unless both parents are travelling with the child, a notarized letter of permission from the non-accompanying parent is necessary.
Permanent Resident Card
Starting December 31st, 2003 and onwards,
all landed immigrants will be required to have a Permanent Resident Card (PR
Card) in order to be able to return to Canada.
The permanent resident (PR) card is a wallet-sized, plastic status card that
replaces the paper IMM 1000 Record of Landing document. As of December 31, 2003,
the PR card will be the proof of status document required by permanent residents
seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train or
bus).
As of December 31, 2003, permanent residents returning to Canada without a valid
PR card will not be permitted to board their carrier. They will have to contact
the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate to obtain a limited use travel
document to re-enter Canada at a cost of $50 for each one.
The PR card increases Canada's border security by improving the integrity of the
immigration process. It also provides cardholders with secure, convenient proof
of their permanent resident status when re-entering Canada.
Click on the link below for more information on the requirements, where and how
to obtain a PR Card.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pr-card/index.html
New Visa Requirements
Effective January 5, 2004
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will begin a new high-tech registration system on January 5, 2004 to fingerprint and photograph foreign visitors, who are required to have visas, as they enter through designated U.S airports and seaports. The program will exempt permanent U.S. residents and foreign visitors from 21 countries who do not generally need visas to enter the U.S. Those exempted countries include Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Travellers from countries not included in the above list, besides holding a visa, they will now have their digital photographs and electronic fingerprints taken or verified upon entering or exiting the U.S. The seaports that have been initially selected by the DHS for the January 5 implementation date are:
| * CA: Long Beach and San Pedro |
| * FL: Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa and West Palm Beach |
| * TX: Galveston |
| * WA: Seattle |
| * Canada: Victoria and Vancouver |
| * San Juan, Puerto Rico |
According to the DHS, the new system uses scanning equipment to collect digital photographs and electronic fingerprints from foreign visitors as they are processed through immigration services. C ollection of the photographs and fingerprints are part of the U.S. Visitor and Immigration Status Indicator Technology (U.S. VISIT), an entry-exit registration program created to keep better track of foreign visitors coming into the U.S.
For more information, please visit www.dhs.gov/us-visit .
It is very important for travellers to make sure that they have adequate medical coverage when leaving British Columbia. B.C. Medical restricts coverage to the amount that would have been paid in British Columbia -- as little as $61.00 per day for a hospital bed. One night in a hospital outside Canada can easily cost $2500.00 or more and some services may not be reimbursed at all.
Check the limitations on any out-of-country benefits through your employer or your credit card company to make sure the coverage is adequate. If not, consider purchasing additional coverage either for an individual trip or annually. You may be surprised to find the cost is very modest for great peace of mind.
- In order to protect your trip and provide you with peace of mind, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. Please contact us for further info at 604-541-1188.
Travelling with gifts
It is strongly recommended that you leave gifts unwrapped in the event that you are asked to open them by securtiy.
A credit card in the renter's name is required in order to rent a car anywhere. Car rental companies will not rent to anyone under 21 and additional insurance is required for renters aged 21 to 25. Maximum age restrictions may also apply.
When renting a car in the U.S.A., proof of insurance is now required by the rental company if you are not purchasing their insurance. Roadstars and those using credit card insurance should carry with them the booklet describing coverage plus a copy of their ICBC insurance policy. It is a good idea to carry this information with you regardless of destination.
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