| I've just found a great deal on a trip to | | | | residing outside of Canada. |
| Miami, what documents do I need to have in | | | | |
| order to travel? | | | | For these applications you need to have a |
| | | | guarantor, but new rules allow almost |
| This is a common questions that I am | | | | everyone to have access to someone that can |
| presented with. It is important to consider | | | | sign for them. Many Canadians by virtue of |
| the requirements before booking an | | | | holding a passport themselves can now act as |
| international trip of any kind: you would | | | | guarantors. You will be required to submit |
| hate to miss your vacation due to being | | | | the application form, a fee of $87, proof of |
| turned away at the airport! | | | | identity (ie. Driver's Licence), two (2) |
| | | | photographs and original proof of |
| You will need a passport. As of January 2007, | | | | citizenship. |
| Canadians flying into the USA require | | | | |
| passports. You are still allowed to travel by | | | | Like the Simplified Application, passports |
| car, train or bus without a passport, but by | | | | applied for in person can be ready in as |
| January 2008 these travelers require | | | | little as two (2) weeks, six (6) weeks by |
| passports as well. I recommend getting a | | | | mail. |
| passport now if you have travel plans of any | | | | |
| kind. Your passport should be valid until at | | | | What if I am a Permanent Resident (Landed |
| least six (6) months after your return to | | | | Immigrant) of Canada, not a Citizen? |
| Canada. | | | | |
| | | | You will need to ensure that you have a valid |
| How do I get a passport, and how long does it | | | | Permanent Resident (PR) Card. This is |
| take? | | | | required to return to Canada after your trip. |
| | | | If you are unsure of the procedure to obtain |
| This depends on your situation, if you have a | | | | a PR Card, you should get in touch with an |
| Canadian passport issued after January 2002 | | | | Immigration Specialist like myself, or |
| there is a new simplified process to obtain a | | | | Citizenship and Immigration Canada. |
| new passport. Canadian Citizens applying for | | | | |
| their first passport, or renewing a passport | | | | Generally PR Cards take about 6-8 weeks to |
| issued before 2002 have a more complicated | | | | process. |
| application to submit. If you are a | | | | |
| Permanent Resident (Landed Immigrant) of | | | | You will also need to carry a valid passport |
| Canada, you are not allowed to apply for a | | | | from your Country of Citizenship. If this |
| Canadian Passport, and must follow a | | | | passport is not current you will need to |
| different process altogether. | | | | contact that country's embassy or consulate |
| | | | in Canada to apply. Be aware that the length |
| All application forms/ instructions are | | | | of time, fees, and the amount of |
| available at your local post office. Be sure | | | | documentation required varies greatly country |
| to check with Passport Canada for unique | | | | to country. Some will be able to renew an |
| situations (my passport was stolen!), updates | | | | existing passport the same day, others will |
| and office locations for applying in person. | | | | find that it takes several months and |
| | | | involves a lot of supporting documents. |
| Simplified Passport Renewal | | | | |
| | | | Depending on the passport you carry, you may |
| If you are an adult looking to renew a | | | | need a visa in order to enter the United |
| passport that was issued after January 31 | | | | States. The United States does not view |
| 2002, and you do not need to change your | | | | Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residence in |
| name, replace a lost, stolen or damaged | | | | the same way. The American authorities will |
| passport, you may be able to take advantage | | | | treat you as a Citizen of the country whose |
| of the new simplified passport application. | | | | passport you are carrying. Be sure to check |
| This option is available only to those that | | | | out this requirement several months before |
| are residing in Canada and were 16 years of | | | | you want to travel: American visas often take |
| age or older and residing in Canada when the | | | | weeks or months to arrange. |
| previous passport was issued. | | | | |
| | | | Common Mistakes |
| This application allows you to skip the | | | | |
| Guarantor process, and avoid submitting proof | | | | When making an application of any type ensure |
| of identity, as well your birth certificate | | | | that it is signed! Make sure you have |
| or citizenship card. You must submit the | | | | included everything asked for on the |
| application form, two (2) new photographs, a | | | | checklist including the fee. If your |
| processing fee of $87, and your previous | | | | passport applications requires you to provide |
| passport. Passports applied for in person | | | | original proof of citizenship, make sure you |
| can be ready in as little as two (2) weeks. | | | | know where your Birth Certificate or |
| Passports applied for by mail will take at | | | | Certificate of Citizenship is! Passport |
| least six (6) weeks. | | | | Canada will not accept your current Canadian |
| | | | Passport as proof of citizenship. If you |
| Standard Passport Application | | | | need to replace a Birth Certificate or |
| | | | Citizenship document, be sure to apply well |
| For those who do not have an adult passport | | | | ahead of time! |
| issued after January 31, 2002, you must use | | | | |
| the full application. This could be your | | | | Be sure to carefully read all instructions |
| first passport application, you were under 16 | | | | from Passport Canada before applying. |
| when your last passport was issued or you are | | | | |