Canada travel health insurance and visa guide

January 04, 2019

Being the second largest country on the planet, Canada is an enriching and truly magnificent country to visit, its packed full of exciting and ethereal things to do and places to see. Enjoy a hike in a tranquil mountain range, delve into a decadent array of stellar food, visit the jazz-infused Montreal and buzzing Toronto cities. There’s a lot to get excited about when thinking of visiting Mexico. To fully enjoy your canadian adventure, make sure you give yourself peace of mind and organize your travel insurance policy ASAP, so you can kick back, relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that you have got all your bases covered.
 
Aside from finding the right cover for you, here are some other important travel tips to be aware of before you set off on your adventure:


Visa Information for Canada

Do I Need to Get a Visa to Visit Canada?    

No

If you are an American Citizen with a valid US passport visiting Canada for up to 180 days, then you don’t have to purchase a Visa. If your stay exceeds 180 days, you will have to apply for a visa.

Travel Documents You Will Need:

A valid U.S. passport.

All passports must have a minimum of 6 months before expiration. That is 6 months from that date of your travel departure, and your passport should also have at least one blank page for stamping.


Health and Medical Advice

Before jetting off on your travels, you should check for any health risks, required vaccinations and any epidemic breakouts occurring in Canada. It’s also a good idea to learn the emergency numbers and find out where the nearest hospital is in case of an emergency.

Do I Need to be Vaccinated When Travelling to Canada?

No

There are no required vaccines for Canada but we would recommend that you check that your routine vaccinations are up to date as a precautionary measure. The standard vaccines are:

•    MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
•    Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
•    Influenza
•    Polio
•    Chickenpox

Book an appointment at your local practitioner or find your local Passport health clinic. You should book an appointment, at the latest, four to six weeks before your trip, giving enough time for the vaccinations to take effect.


Travel Health Updates in Canada.

Currently, there are no reported epidemics occurring In Canada.

To keep up to date on any breakouts, visit the CDC website.
 

Emergency Contact Information

No one ever wants to have to call the emergency services whilst they’re on vacation, but unfortunately accidents happen and it’s important to be prepared for when they do.

Emergency services throughout Canada can be contacting through dialling: 911

Canada Local Laws and Customs

•    Illegal drug use of any type is considered an offence and if caught you will be penalized either with a fine or prison sentence.

Safety and Security


Petty Theft

Popular tourist attractions and cities are notorious for being hot pickpocketing zones where thieves will use a variety of methods to try and divert your attention. Be alert and keep your belongings with you at all times, especially in crowded areas, on public transport and popular tourist areas. It’s always a good idea to keep valuable belongings or extra spending money in a hotel safe, if you have one.


U.S. Embassy in Canada
U.S. Embassy Ottawa
490 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 1GB
Telephone (General): 613-688-5335
Telephone (Emergency): 613-238-5335

Useful Tips for Canada

Official Languages: English and French   
Both English and French are the official languages of Canada. There are also a multitude of other languages spoken in Canada, the majority of the population will be able to converse with you in English especially if you are visiting major tourist spots.

Currency: Canadian dollar
Before your trip make sure to exchange enough Canadian dollars for your spending requirements and to get the best exchange rates.

Canadian Plug Sockets: Type A and Type B
Plug sockets in Canada are of both type A and B. As an American resident, your appliances will be compatible with Canada’s plug sockets and you don’t need any plug adapters or converters.

© 2018 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. For informational purposes, UHG does not guarantee the correctness or completeness of the information.