Trip Planning Essentials - Canadian Customs

1. Contact the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) to register your event three months in advance.
2. An assigned CCRA conventions coordinator will send a Letter of Recognition and assist you with any customs-related issues.
3. Make a copy of the letter for everyone attending your event including speakers.
4. Keep a copy of the letter with all shipments of goods.

If you have this letter, you will fly through Customs in a flash.

Although a passport is the ideal identification, you do not require a passport or visa to enter Canada. Just make sure you carry at least two pieces of photo identification and one should establish your citizenship such as a Birth Certificate. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen, you should carry this certificate. Permanent residents of the U.S.A. must bring their "Green Card".

Although it is rare, immigration officials may prevent the entry of visitors:

1. who appear to pose a health risk.
2. those they doubt will be able to support themselves and their dependents in Canada.
3. whose willingness and means to return to the U.S. is in doubt.

As well, those admissible to Alberta must not have a criminal record. This includes any convictions for driving while intoxicated.

If you have questions about your admissibility to enter Alberta, contact your nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate for consultation.

Visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada for more visa information.

Permanent residents of the United States (anyone with a Green Card) do not need to carry a passport to enter Alberta.

Temporary residents of the United States (anyone who carries a Temporary Resident Card, Form 1-688, or Employment Authorization Card, 1-688A or 1-688B) must carry a passport and may also require a visa depending on their country of citizenship.

Citizens of other countries who wish to enter Canada through the United States must also carry a valid passport and may require a visa, which they should obtain from a Canadian Embassy or Consulate outside Canada. Those in this category should check with an office of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service before they enter Canada.

International travellers may require a visa to enter or transit Canada. To see whether you require a visa, visit the Canada site for more information on visa requirements.

International travellers who wish to find out about Canadian customs regulations should visit the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency website.

As of June 28, 2002, the implementation of the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act changed the rules affecting the admissibility into Canada of foreign nationals who have criminal convictions in Canada or abroad or who have committed criminal acts outside Canada. These include offences that are considered criminal in Canada, such as driving while under the influence of a substance such as alcohol, even if the offence was not considered a felony or criminal offence in the country where it was committed.

Travellers visiting Alberta with children should carry the following:

1. identification for each child similar to identification described for adults.
2. a letter of permission from the parents of any children accompanying them for whom they do not have legal custody

Please note: Divorced parents with shared custody rights should carry legal documents establishing their status. Unaccompanied children should carry a letter of permission from their parents or a legal guardian.

International travellers who wish to find out about Canadian tax refunds should visit this Canadian Revenue Agency site at: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/nonresidents/visitors/menu-e.html

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