Canada Travel & Visitor Information

Every year more than 35 million people visit Canada. Canada welcomes these visitors as tourists, students or temporary workers. As a visitor, you will enjoy the many opportunities Canada has to offer.

Provincial Taxes

All provinces with the noteable exception of Alberta charge at least one level of provincial tax on most things you want to buy. Hotels and motels do not charge the sales tax for their rooms, instead, they charge a room tax of 8%, and in some locations, an additional 2% tourism tax. This is in addition to the 5% GST. When you make your reservations PLEASE ask how much tax will be added. This way you won't get a shock at the end of your stay.

GST

Goods and services tax of 5% is applicable to most purchased goods and services (including lodging), but rebates can be claimed by non-residents of Canada. This tax is not applicable to rates charged for lodging rented to the same person for a continuous period of more than 30 days.

Do you need a passport?

United States Citizens

As of June 1, 2009, everyone from every country arriving in Canada by air, land and sea has needed a passport or equivalent travel document. (Some exceptions apply to children's passport requirements). Besides an up-to-date passport, visitors may instead have an equivalent travel document, such as a NEXUS Card.

New Passport Requirement
Travelers to and from Canada will be required to have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports.

Citizens from Other Countries

• Canada welcomes you as a tourist, student or temporary worker. Depending on where you live, and the reason for your visit, you will need to meet certain entry requirements. In some cases, if you plan to stay in Canada for a certain period of time, you will need a Temporary Resident Visa. Please visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp for more details.
  

Health Care

• Canada does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors. Make sure you have health insurance to pay your medical costs before you leave for Canada.

Weapons

• All revolvers, pistols, fully automatic firearms and other weapons including self defence sprays, such as mace and pepper spray are prohibited entry into Canada.

  Hunting rifles and shotguns will have to be registered at the border.

• All firearms must be declared.

• Further Information: 1-800-731-4000

Pets

• Dogs and Cats from the USA, aged more than three months, must be accompanied by a licenced veterinarian of Canada or the US certifying that the animal has beeen vaccinated against rabies during the preceeding 36 months. Further information: 1- (604) 666-8750.
  

Driving in Canada

• Gasoline prices are advertized in LITERS.
  Speed limits and distances are in KILOMETERS.

Speed Conversions

• 30km/h = 20MPH (School Zone Speed)
  50km/h = 30MPH (Urban Speed Limit)
  80km/h = 50MPH (Most Highways)
  110km/h = 70MPH (Top Speed on Special Highways)

Important
Information on this page is believed to be accurate. However rules do change and TravelNet will not be held responsible for errors or omissions. The visitor to Canada should take necessary steps to confirm any information provided before relying on it.

Visitors: 17373