TORONTO — For all those clients looking to plan a 2025 vacation, Global Affairs Canada has a travel preparations checklist.
It’s not as fun as a list of what to pack – or what to shop for in those wonderful destinations on the itinerary, for that matter – but for clients heading anywhere outside of Canada, it’s crucial.
Global Affairs Canada also wants to make international travel prep easy to understand, so it took the 1-2-3 route, breaking the info down into 3 sections: travel insurance, travel documents and final preparations.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
The Canadian government’s take on travel insurance is music to the ears of any travel advisor frustrated by clients who say ‘forget the insurance, I don’t need it’.
As Global Affairs Canada puts it, “Travel insurance: Do you need it? The short answer is yes, always.”
The must-have list for travel protection includes …
- Medical evacuations to Canada or the nearest place with medical care
- Pre-existing conditions
- Repatriation in case of death
- Trip cancellations and interruptions
- Lost or stolen luggage
“Imagine getting sick or injured while you’re travelling,” Global Affairs Canada tells travellers. “Medical bills can add up quickly, easily reaching thousands of dollars, and hospitals abroad may not treat you if you don’t have enough insurance or money to pay. That’s why trip interruption and travel health insurance is so important if you plan to travel outside Canada, even for just a day. It can help cover the cost of medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and other unexpected events.”
It’s also important that travellers choose the best insurance based on their needs.
“Before you book your trip and buy insurance, assess your needs and check the details of any insurance policy you’re considering to make sure you will be fully covered,” says Global Affairs Canada.
“Keep in mind that many travel insurance policies may not cover you if you travel to regions where the Government of Canada advises to ‘avoid non-essential travel’ or ‘avoid all travel’. This is why it’s so important for you to check the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories before you book your trip, and to sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive important information, such as changes to the risk level, while you are away.”
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Global Affairs Canada also wants to make sure Canadians have all the travel documents they’ll need for their trip – passports, of course, but also visas, proof of vaccinations and more.
Here’s the list …
- Passport: Make sure passports are valid for at least six months beyond the planned return date. Some countries won’t let visitors enter if their passport is close to expiring.
- Visas: Visa requirements can vary significantly depending on the country. Travellers should check to see if a visa is needed to enter a destination or extend a stay beyond the initial travel dates.
- Proof of vaccination: Some places might need proof for vaccination against certain diseases, like yellow fever.
- Emergency contact information: Travellers should keep the contact information for the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate in their destination country.
- Copies: Travellers should also make photocopies or keep digital copies of all important documents and keep photocopies in a separate location from the originals. Leaving a copy with a trusted person in Canada can also be beneficial.
“Check the entry and exit requirements in the Travel Advice and Advisories for your destination for specific requirements. Remember, it’s crucial to know which documents you need and where to get them.”
FINAL PREPARATIONS
A few last things for clients to remember …
. Read up on the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories for every
destination, for important information such as safety and security, laws and culture and health advisories.
. Register every trip with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service. This helps the Government of Canada contact Canadian travellers in case of an emergency.
Reach out if you need help. You should carry contact information for the nearest Canadian office or for Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre.
More information and resources can be found at Travel.gc.ca.
Check out Travelweek Daily for regular updates from Global Affairs Canada on topics of interest to Canadian travellers – and the travel industry. Other topics covered in this Travelweek Daily series include the government’s Travel Advice and Advisories, Consular Services for travellers and High-Risk Destinations.
