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