Author: Maria Miceli

A writer by day, reader by night, and perpetual guardian of grammar, Maria has worked in the insurance industry for ten years. She is passionate about using storytelling to help readers understand the basics and benefits of insurance. You can find Maria on LinkedIn.

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How Long Can Canadians Stay Outside Canada? Travel Limits and Provincial Health Coverage Explained

One of the questions Canadian travellers frequently ask is: “How long can I stay outside Canada?”

The answer depends on two important things: the entry requirements of the country you’re visiting and the residency requirements of your home province.

Whether you’re planning a winter getaway, an extended vacation or a few months travelling abroad, it’s worth understanding both before you book your trip.

Here are some of the rules Canadian passport holders should know when visiting popular international destinations.

How long can Canadians stay in other countries?

United States: Canadian citizens can generally visit the United States for up to six months without a visa. The length of stay is determined by U.S. border officials when you enter. If you want to stay longer, you must apply for an extension before your authorized stay expires.

Europe (Schengen Area): Canadians can visit countries in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. This is a combined allowance across Schengen countries, not 90 days in each country. The European Entry/Exit System (EES) is now fully operational and digitally records the entry and exit of non-EU visitors, including biometric information.

United Kingdom: Canadian visitors can generally stay for up to six months without a visitor visa. However, most Canadian travellers must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure. An ETA is not a visa and does not guarantee entry.

Cuba: Canadian tourists can initially stay for up to 90 days under the standard tourist visa, with the possibility of requesting an extension. Canadian travellers should also check the latest Government of Canada travel advisory before making plans.

Mexico: Canadian tourists may be authorized to stay for up to 180 days. However, the maximum stay is not automatic. Mexican immigration officials determine the permitted length of stay when you arrive. You may be asked to provide proof of accommodation, sufficient funds and a return or onward ticket.

Dominican Republic: Canadian tourists must complete the country’s electronic entry and exit form (E-Ticket). The tourist card fee is generally included in airline tickets for visitors arriving by air. Check the permitted length of stay and any applicable extension requirements before travelling.

China: Canadian passport holders are eligible for visa-free entry for qualifying visits of up to 30 days under a temporary visa-waiver arrangement running through December 31, 2026. This applies to eligible tourism, business, family visits and transit. Check the latest requirements before departure, as this arrangement is subject to change.

Australia: Canadians can generally visit Australia for up to three months without a traditional visitor visa, but must obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) before travelling.

These are general guidelines for Canadian passport holders travelling for tourism. Requirements can differ depending on your circumstances, and immigration officials always have the final say on admission and the length of your stay.

For peace of mind during your travels, take MSH coverage with you. Get a quote today!

Now, get packing!

 

Do you not see the answer to your question in the comments below? Feel free to get in touch with our experts for more assistance.

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Pulling Back the Curtain on Lesser-Known Black Trailblazers

“When we’re talking about diversity, it’s not a box to check. It is a reality that should be deeply felt and held and valued by all of us.”

—Ava DuVernay

At MSH, we take pride in doing our part to help you travel and live with confidence. For Black History Month, we honour some of the more unheralded Black trailblazers who did just that, and as a result, shaped history. Their contributions transcended limits and norms, representing the best of all of us.

Anton Wilhelm Amo (c. 1703–c. 1759)

As the first African to earn a doctorate degree at a European university and the first to practice philosophy in Europe since Roman times, Anton Wilhelm Amo was an academic pioneer. His pride in his African heritage formed the basis of his philosophical work, challenging the legal basis of European slavery and contesting social norms.

Mathieu da Costa (1589–1619)

While the exact details of his life continue to be debated, one thing is certain – Mathieu da Costa is considered by historians to be the first Black person to visit Canada. Working as a free man, he played the role of interpreter for Dutch and French explorers, including Samuel de Champlain, in the early 17th century.

Matthew Alexander Henson (1866–1955)

Despite being the first human to set foot on the North Pole in 1909, Matthew Alexander Henson received little to no recognition for his feat or his contributions to the expedition’s success. He received belated honours with admittance as the first African-American member of the Explorers Club (1937) and the Peary Polar Expedition Medal (1944).

Rosemary Brown (1930–2003)

At a time when racism and sexism were fashionable, Rosemary Brown became Canada’s first Black female member of a provincial legislature and the first woman to run for leadership of a federal political party. Her lifelong fight against gender, racial and social norms garnered her 15 honorary doctorates, the Order of Canada and the United Nations Human Rights Fellowship.

Wangari Maathai (1940–2011)

A fierce proponent of human rights and environmental conservation, Wangari Maathai became the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree, the first female professor in Kenya and the first Black woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize (2004). She developed the Green Belt Movement, responsible for the planting of over 51 million trees in Kenya since 1977.

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Things to Know Before Your Pandemic Road Trip

The year 2020 is one for the books – though not in a positive light. After months of imposed staycation, Canadians are looking for relief from the COVID-19 dystopia in which we now live. Here’s where the reality check comes in.

The Canada-US border is still closed to non-essential travel (and likely will be until the end of the year). Air travel is mostly grounded and even then, a bit iffy. Luckily, Canada offers a vast backyard with ten provinces and three territories to discover. So, if you’re thinking about hitting the road before winter – or the next lockdown – sets in, here are some things to consider:

  • Play it safe. Choose someone from within your bubble as your travel partner(s). If that’s not possible, you and your roadie(s) should self-quarantine for two weeks before you leave to ensure you’re not carriers.
  • Plan ahead. Consider a destination that isn’t a COVID-19 hotspot. This means avoiding densely populated areas and tourist traps. Regardless of your destination, follow social distancing, mask-wearing, and hand-washing guidelines.
  • Get your wheels ready. If you’re driving your own car, make sure it’s up for the drive. If you’re renting a car, be sure to know the specifics of your contract.
  • Pack essential and pandemic-specific items. Portable chargers and cellphone signal boosters are a must but don’t forget disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, face masks, and tissues. Consider packing extra supplies such as water, snacks, cutlery, cups, and plates. 
  • Synchronize playlists. Ensure that you and your roadie have compatible musical taste for a more enjoyable trip. If you can’t find a musical middle ground, there’s always the sound of silence.  
  • Practice ‘hygiene vigilance.’ While at gas stations, rest areas, restaurants, and places of accommodation, wipe down high-touch surfaces such as tables, buttons, keypads, door knobs, and handles.
  • Consider a supplemental travel insurance policy. If you’re leaving your home province, this is a must. As Canadians, we’re blessed with universal health care but even provincial health insurance has its limits.
  • Self-quarantine upon returning. This will eliminate the risk of community spread in the event you were exposed to the virus during your travels.

While it’s important to be mindful of the COVID-19 realities during your road trip, don’t let them consume you. You can practice social distancing without being emotionally distant. Exercise common sense and be safe out there!