Travel destinations that require visas

April 12th, 2018  |  Travel

To travel abroad, you know you need to make sure your passport is up to date and make sure that you have sufficient travel insurance, but did you know there is another important piece you may be missing? Depending on where you are traveling to, you may also need a travel visa in order to enter your travel destination.

What is a travel visa?

Before we look at just where a travel visa is required, let’s make sure we understand what a travel visa is.

As stated on the Government of Canada website a visa is “an official document, usually stamped or glued inside a passport, giving permission from a foreign authority for you to enter a country”. Essentially a visa is an added security measure put in place by various counties, and can be just as important of a travel document as a passport.

Thankfully as Canadians, we are able to travel to a large number of countries without needing more than our passport. In fact, Canadian citizens have visa-free (or visa on arrival) access to 176 countries and territories around the world. According to the Henley Passport Index this ranks our Canadian passport 5^th in world in terms of travel freedom.

How do I get a travel visa?

Valid travel visas must be issued by a foreign government office in Canada. The government of Canada website is a great resource to ensure you can find a foreign government office in your area. And be sure to have your passport up to date, as in order to apply for a visa you must have a valid passport and be able to present it in person at a foreign government office, or mail it in a secure fashion.

Be sure to check your location thoroughly and often if a visa is needed. In addition, it is wise to check if a travel advisory has been put in place. Both of these things could change without your knowledge, so be sure to keep an eye on it, especially if you are traveling somewhere that is considered “high risk”.

It is also important to note that no matter where you are traveling, you will more than likely need a visa if you are planning on staying more than 90 days.

Where are travel visas needed?

Without further ado, here is an alphabetical list of the countries that Canadians need a travel visa to gain entrance. You can visit the CIBTvisa website for more in-depth information pertaining to each country’s visa regulations.