Entry & Exit Requirements

U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Canada. Passports must be valid at the time of entry, with at least one blank page required. As this requirement is subject to change at any time without notice, we recommend at least 6 months' validity.

A visa is not re­quired for visits up to 180 days.

If you are not traveling with a U.S. passport, please check with the Canadian Embassy for the requirements based on your nationality.

Health Information

IMMUNIZATIONS

The CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date on routine vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine, varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, and your yearly flu shot before every trip.

There are no vaccinations required for entry into Canada.

The CDC recommends that unvaccinated travelers receive hepatitis A and B vaccines before visiting Canada.

Please consult your physician for additional information and recommendations based on your individual circumstances.

FROSTBITE

Frostbite is damage to the skin from freezing and is due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Symptoms include patches of reddened skin that become white, hard, and swollen; or skin that burns, tingles, or is numb or painful. Severe cases can result in blisters or ulcers forming and may involve deeper tissues. The most common sites for frostbite are the fingers, hands, toes, feet, ears, nose, and cheeks.

To avoid frostbite, dress warmly and in layers but avoid tight clothing as it may reduce circulation. Keep the face and extremities covered. Avoid overheating and excessive perspiration. Change wet clothing, especially socks and gloves.

HYPOTHERMIA

Hypothermia is life threatening. It is caused by cold, wet, or windy weather that causes the body to lose heat faster than it can produce heat. Hypothermia can occur in rugged mountain terrain where the weather can change extremely quickly, or after being soaked in a stream crossing or a boating accident.

Symptoms include feeling cold, uncontrollable shivering, clumsiness due to loss of muscle coordination, slurred speech, inability to think clearly, and eventual unconsciousness and cessation of reflexes including heart and lung functions. Many victims in the later stages of hypothermia feel warm and try to shed clothing.

To treat hypothermia, first warm the core of the body before the extremities. Remove any wet clothing. Re-warm the victim slowly; do not warm fast by immersing in warm/hot water. Provide shelter out of the weather. Warm drinks are not necessary, but may help in the psychological recovery. Do NOT give alcohol. Try to keep victim awake as this helps keep the body temperature up.

Animal Bites/Rabies

Avoid wild animals that seem unusually curious or don’t run away from humans. Bats, foxes, skunks, raccoons, and other mammals are known to carry rabies in Canada. In the unlikely event of being bitten, clean the wound and control bleeding. Seek medical attention immediately.

Sun exposure

The effects of the sun can be damaging to the eyes and skin. Spending time outdoors exposes you to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, even on cloudy days. To protect yourself from the sun, use a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15, protect skin with clothing, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of fluids.