An interesting story out of Toronto today.
This was on City TV News. The video and full story can be found on their website.
Cable Pulse 24 It took months of saving and careful preparation and you're ready to head to sunny climes to enjoy a couple of weeks off work.
But imagine getting to the airport and being told to turn around and go home.
That's the disappointing and frustrating scenario that could play out if you haven't double-checked your travel documents before you pack your bags and get ready to check in for your flight south.
If you assume you'll pass through customs with no problem because you have a valid passport, then you'd be wrong.
Some countries require that your passport must not expire within a certain timeframe if you want to spend some time on the beach in popular vacation spots like the Dominican Republic.
For example, if you're planning to travel to Costa Rica, your passport must not expire 30 days from the date of your arrival. In Cuba, that expiration time period is seven days after the date of your expected departure.
Steve Sizer is preparing for a Caribbean cruise that’s making stops in Panama and Costa Rica – two countries with passport restrictions. Luckily, his travel agent warned him ahead of time and he was able to get his documents in order.
“This is like a dream vacation I’m going on that I saved up for and I spent time looking forward to it and it would really hurt to not be able to enjoy the most of it,” he said.
In some cases, Canadian officials recommend that you carry a tourist card, or business or student visa, that you always have your return ticket handy, and advise carrying some evidence that you have sufficient funds for the duration of your stay.
Some countries, such as Jamaica, don't require you to have a passport, although it's recommended you bring it anyway, but some do require that you show valid photo identification, like a driver's licence, and proof of citizenship, like your birth certificate.
* While there’s no official explanation for the restrictions, it could have something to do with the fact that Canadian passports are among the most popular for fraudsters to forge.
* Even though some countries don’t require Canadians to carry a passport, it’s highly recommended that you bring it along anyway and make sure it’s valid for at least eight months.
Here are some travel requirements for some popular vacation destinations:
Cuba: passport must not expire 7 days from the date of your expected return
Costa Rica: passport must not expire 30 days from the date of your arrival
Panama: passport must not expire 180 days from the date of your expected return
Dominican Republic: only photo ID and return ticket required
Jamaica: only photo ID and return ticket required
Mexico: tourist card and photo ID required
Travel document requirements are something you should check well in advance of booking your ticket. For a full list of advisories, click here.
To read an online information package on everything you should be doing before you finalize your travel plans, click here.
How Do I Get A Passport?
First, you need to fill out an application form. They can be picked up at any passport office, post office, or you can fill one out online.
Then, you need to get two identical photographs, which must have been taken within the last 12 months.
Here are the photo requirements:
* Eyes must be open and clearly visible.
* Glasses, including tinted ones with prescription, may be worn as long as the eyes are clearly visible. Sunglasses are unacceptable.
* Facial expression must be neutral (not frowning nor smiling) with the mouth closed.
* Photos must show both edges of the face clearly.
* Photos must show a full front view of face and shoulders squared to the camera.
* The face and shoulder image must be centred in the photo.
* Photos must reflect/represent natural skin tones.
* The length from chin to crown of head (natural top of head) must be 31 mm to 36 mm.
* The image must be clear, sharp and in focus.
* Photos with shadows on the face or background are unacceptable.
* Photos must be taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows or flash reflection on the face and head.
* Photos must be taken against a plain, uniform, white or light-coloured background.
* Hats or head coverings are not permitted except when worn for religious reasons and only if the full facial features are clearly visible.
* Black and white or colour photos are acceptable.
* Only the head and shoulders of young children must appear on the photo (e.g. no hands holding the child).
Size and Paper
* The maximum photo size must be 50 mm wide x 70 mm long.
* Heavy weight paper is unacceptable.
* Photos must be printed on high quality photographic paper.
* Photographic paper must have a backing that accepts and retains the photographer's stamp and date, and the guarantor's statement and signature, without smearing.
* The maximum photo size must be 50 mm wide x 70 mm long.
Photographer
* Photos must be taken by a commercial photographer.
* The name of the photographer or studio, the address and the date the photo was taken (not the date the photo was printed) must be provided directly on the back of one photo (see illustration). Stick-on labels are unacceptable. Sufficient space must be allowed for the name of the applicant, the signature of a guarantor and the guarantor's declaration.
* Photos must be originals, not taken from any existing photo.
Guarantor
* One photo must be signed by a guarantor as a true likeness of the applicant
* Notarial seals must not be imprinted on photos.
To see some examples of acceptable and unacceptable pictures, click here.
Then, you must get your application signed by a guarantor. This is a person who can confirm your identity. For more information on guarantor requirements, click here.
How Much Will It Cost?
A regular, 24-page passport will cost $87 for anyone over 16, $22 for children under three, and $37 for children between three and 15.
How Long Will It Take?
By snail mail: 20 working days (not including mailing time)
In person at the passport office: 10 working days
At the post office: 15 working days
According to Jonathon Carrol of Itravel2000, the passport office does offer express service if you can prove that your holiday has been booked. They’ll charge you an extra fee, but they’ll usually process your documents in three to seven working days.
For more information and to find the closest passport office to you, click here.
Here are some travel tips, courtesy of Passport Canada:
* Try to apply for your passport during the off-season, between June and November.
* Ensure that you are carrying a valid passport. Check that the expiry date of your passport is well beyond your return date.
* Remember to sign your passport on page 3, and fill in your current address and the name of a person to contact in case of emergency on page 4.
* Make two photocopies of the identification page of your passport. Leave one copy with a friend or relative at home and bring the second copy with you on your trip. Carry this photocopy separately from your passport when you travel. This can help with the replacement process if your passport is lost or stolen.
* Read the last page of your passport
February 2, 2006
Topic: Canadian Passport (Read 1603 times)