How to use your Canadian document abroad?

Every single year, the Canadian government issues approximately five million passports. Although the country issues four different types of passports, around ninety-eight per cent of the passports they issue are the standard Canadian passports.

This is the blue passport that is issued for Canadian citizens. If you are planning a vacation, or you are going abroad for business purposes, this passport is ideal. Each passport issued has a total of thirty-six pages, and citizens are advised to renew their current passport when they have only three blank pages left. Also, make sure the passport is valid, as some will expire after a certain date. Passports issued to those over the age of 16 will be valid for either five or ten years, while those aged between 0 and 15 are entitled to a passport that is valid for a maximum of five years. Before you go abroad, check to see that your passport is valid for when you are arriving at your destination, and when you are returning to Canada. If the date you are travelling is close to the date the passport expires, it might be worth your while investing in a new passport.

What are the Other Three Passports Issued by the Canadian Government?

Here is a list of the remaining three documents issued in Canada:

• Diplomatic passport: These brown coloured passports are issued to several high ranking people including government officials, diplomats, and other people who represent the government. These passports are not supposed to be used when going on vacation. They can be used for government events, for those being posted abroad and for things like diplomatic meetings. Each diplomatic passport expires on different dates.
• Special passport: This dark green passport is issued to members of parliament, those working for the government who are not diplomats, and Canadian senators. Those who are sent by the government on a mission abroad are often issued with a special passport.
• Temporary passport: Canadian embassies, consulates and other government offices abroad can issue Canadian citizens with a temporary passport. However, the individual must have solid evidence to show why they need this passport. Don’t think that you can travel with these documents for a long time, as they are only valid for 12 months. Those who are waiting on other passports, like a special or a diplomatic passport, are often issued a temporary passport first before their new one arrives.

Do certain Travel Documents need to get Authentication

Anyone who has ever travelled abroad will understand that they will need a valid passport to be allowed into the country, but there are also other documents that you might need. If you are going to seek employment in a foreign country you might need paperwork to get a working visa or a residency visa. In some countries, Canadian’s will need a lot of different documents before they are granted a visa.

If you are moving abroad for educational purposes, you may need to bring your degree transcripts and other information like an admission letter with you. If you are going to a different country for business, you might have to get some documents authentication. Luckily, there are a lot of private companies that help people with document authentication in Canada. These companies will be able to advise you on the documents that you will need before you go abroad, and they will be able to help with the authentication.

Those who are travelling with a pet will have to apply for official documents that will show that the animal has received all the required jabs and that they are in good health. Don’t assume this can be done in a short space of time, because applying and finalizing a health certificate for your pet can take a while.

If you have a child that is travelling solo, you might need to apply for a travel consent letter. This document will explain that the minor is travelling without their mother, father, or legal guardian. Although minors can legally travel throughout Canada hassle-free, other countries don’t allow them to go abroad by themselves without having the proper paperwork in order.

How can Canadian’s get their Documents Authenticated?

To get the ball rolling, you must first get authentication from the government. Once the local government has authenticated the documents, you must get the files legalized by the government in the country where you are going. For more information, you should consider making contact with the Canadian consulate or embassy in your international destination, as the officials will have to verify the documents. Some documents may need to be notarized. Without these documents, you might not be allowed into the country.

If time isn’t on your side, you may have to get a middle man involved to help you out. A lot of these files can take a while to get legalized, so make sure you start the process as soon as possible. If you have very little experience organizing these documents, it can take a few weeks to get everything together, while private companies will be able to sort everything out in a short space of time. Although you will have to pay them a fee, they might be able to get your documents authenticated in a couple of days as long as you have everything prepared.

When Should I Renew My Canadian Passport?

Don’t assume that you will be allowed into a foreign country if there are only a few months left before your current passport expires. Some countries only allow people who are holding a passport that is valid for another 3 months, while other countries will only allow foreigners in if they are holding a passport that is valid for another six months. So, before you pack your bags and head to the airport, check your passport to see if it is still valid.

Governments don’t want tourists in their country who might overstay their passport’s expiry date, which is why some countries deny entry to those who only have a few months before they have to renew it.

Going abroad During the Pandemic

The ongoing pandemic has made travelling to other countries a lot more challenging. In a lot of countries, you will be forced by law to stay in quarantine for some time. Some countries have hotels where the travellers must stay, while other countries allow people to complete their quarantine at home. The rules and travel regulations often change, so make sure you know all the details about the country you are going to before you start your journey. Most governments only allow those who are going into quarantine to stay in specific hotels, so don’t book accommodation for the start of your trip unless the government has approved the hotel.

If you are fully vaccinated against the deadly virus, you might need to bring proof that you have already got your jabs. Some countries have apps that show that the person has been vaccinated, while others expect the tourists to carry documentation that shows that they have received their shots.

Consider taking photographs of all your legal documents and your vaccine history with a mobile device. If these sensitive documents go missing, you will have a soft copy stored on your phone.