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www.snowbirds.org
CSA TRAVEL INFORMATION GUIDE
With respect to possibly “being caught” staying in the U.S. past the 182-day or 90-day limit, travellers
subject to US-VISIT should be aware that, when fully implemented at every port of entry, US-VISIT
will have an exit departure component as well which will require the traveller to use a self-serve
kiosk to register their departure from the United States.
This exit confirmation information will be added to the visitor’s travel records to demonstrate compli-
ance and record the individual’s status for future visits to the U.S. US-VISIT also compares arrival
and departure biographical manifest data provided by the airlines and cruise lines to know when
someone entered and exited the country.
Due to these changes, the association strongly recommends that Canadian citizens travelling outside
of Canada (including the United States) obtain a Canadian passport as definitive proof of citizenship
and to ensure their U.S. entry entitlement of up to six months (182 days) per year.
In the case of Canadian permanent residents, the association reminds those individuals that they will
need the new wallet-size plastic Canadian Permanent Resident Card (also known as the PR Card or
Maple Leaf Card) to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train or bus) at the end
of their travels. Since June 2002, all new permanent residents automatically receive the new card
as part of the immigration process. If, however, you came to Canada as a permanent resident before
June 2002, you will need to apply for the new style card as it replaces all other original landing
papers. It is currently the only acceptable proof of lawful residency in Canada. As the Permanent
Resident Card expires every five years, it is important to check the expiry date (and apply for a new
one if necessary) well in advance of any planned travel outside of Canada.
Canadian permanent residents who have never become Canadian citizens, despite living in Canada
for many years, may wish to consider applying for Canadian citizenship now, recognizing the limita-
tion of visiting the United States for just 90 days (not the 182 days permitted for Canadian citizens) as
well as mandatory enrolment in US-VISIT.
With respect to holding multiple passports, the Canadian Passport Office has confirmed that
Canadian citizens can possess a Canadian passport without having to surrender an existing passport
for another country with which they are also a citizen. As this is not a universally accepted practice,
someone holding a passport with another country should first make inquiry with that country’s
embassy or high commission in Canada to determine if applying for Canadian citizenship will have
any negative affect on keeping other passports and/or receiving pension benefits from that country
while residing in Canada.
Supplemental Travel Health Insurance
Out-of-country health care can be costly, quite often a foreign nation’s medical providers’ rates for its
residents are influenced by federal or state health insurance plan reimbursement rates while non-
resident patients (Snowbird travelers) are charged a much higher rate, and your Canadian provincial
or territorial governmental health plan may not cover any medical expenses abroad. The CSA holds
the same position as Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada in recommending the purchase
of supplemental travel health insurance by Canadians when travelling abroad. Do not rely on your
provincial or territorial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It is your
responsibility to seek information from your provincial or territorial health authority and to obtain
supplementary travel insurance and understand the terms of your policy.
The CSA endorses the travel medical insurance products provided by Medipac International. Further
information can be obtained by calling 1-888-MEDIPAC (1-888-633-4722).