Working Abroad: Unravelling the Maze The following information is provided by the government publication Working Abroad: Unravelling the Maze. Introduction Before You Go What Documents Do You Need? Practical and Financial Issues Personal Issues and Concerns Working Abroad Returning to Canada Working Abroad: Unravelling the Maze What Documents Do You Need?

Passport

All Canadian citizens must have a valid passport before taking up residence abroad. Once living overseas, you should continue to maintain a valid passport. Application forms are available on-line through the Passport Office Web site, and at passport offices, post offices and Canadian government offices abroad. Passport applications accompanied by the required information and supporting documentation are usually processed within five working days if presented in person or up to three weeks if mailed to the Central Passport Office. When planning your departure time, however, allow yourself more time if you need a visa, since a valid passport is required before you can apply for a visa.

Your passport is valid for five years. If your passport is due to expire within the next six months, check with your host country's embassy or consulate in Canada for its rules and restrictions regarding passport validity and expiration. Some countries will not let you enter if your passport is within six months of expiry.

Before you leave Canada, be sure to complete the "In case of accident or death notify" section in your passport. This will help us quickly notify your family or friends if an emergency arises. You should also prepare a "passport emergency kit" in case your passport is lost or stolen. This should include a photocopy of the identification page in your passport, an original of your birth or citizenship certificate, the address and telephone number of the Canadian government office abroad in the country in which you plan to work, and two recent passport-size photographs. Keeping this information in a safe place separate from your passport will save you time and money should you lose the originals. For added security, you may also want to leave a kit with a friend or relative at home.

If your passport is lost or stolen while you are overseas, report the loss or theft to the local police, obtain a copy of the police report and contact the nearest Canadian government office abroad immediately for a replacement. Before a new passport can be issued, you must complete an application form, produce written evidence of your Canadian citizenship (e.g., a birth or citizenship certificate), provide a copy of the police report and present two recent photographs.

Visa

All governments require foreigners to obtain their permission to reside in their country. In some instances, that permission is reflected by an endorsement or stamp placed in your passport, allowing you to enter the country for a specific time and purpose. All countries require you to obtain special permission for entry when you plan to work. This permission is called a visa or work permit.

Only the country concerned can provide you with definitive and official information on entry requirements. If a visa is required, you should obtain it before leaving Canada. It is important that you consult the embassy or consulate of the country in which you plan to work for details and processing fees. You should apply months in advance of your departure date, as obtaining a visa can be a time-consuming process. For information about
visa requirements, check the Country Travel Reports published by DFAIT.
Note that your work visa may have special provisions concerning departure and re-entry. If you plan to travel while working overseas, enquire about the process of obtaining a multiple-entry visa to avoid future difficulties.

An increasing number of countries are including AIDS testing as an entry requirement, particularly for long-term residents and students. Again, contact the embassy or consulate of the country concerned for the latest information.

Work Permit

A work permit is usually required if you plan to work in a foreign country. You should obtain it before you leave Canada. You can usually do this at the same time as you get your visa. Note that a work permit could be included in your visa or it could be a separate document from your visa. Again, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you are going to for details.

Alien Registration Card

When you arrive in your host country, you may also need to obtain an Alien Registration Card. You will be required to carry it at all times for identification purposes and as proof of your status.

International Driver's Licence

Contact your local Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) office to find out the procedures for obtaining an international driver's licence. Keep in mind, however, that some countries require foreigners to acquire a local licence after a certain period. Obtain that information before leaving Canada or make enquiries at the time of your arrival. In addition, it is important that you educate yourself on the traffic rules and procedures of your host country before you get behind the wheel. Always carry your car insurance policy
with you when driving in case of an accident.

Dual Citizenship

Having dual citizenship does not necessarily mean you can work in the other country of which you are a citizen. Ask for a definitive ruling from the authorities of the second country. Be aware that obtaining Canadian citizenship could have led to the loss of your other citizenship without your knowledge. Call the country's embassy or consulate in Canada to obtain more information about your status. If your citizenship status is clear and you decide to work in your country of second nationality, you could be under certain obligations. For instance, you may be required to perform obligatory military service or you could lose your right to protection and assistance from Canadian consular officials.

If you do run into problems because of your dual nationality, contact the nearest Canadian government office abroad immediately.

Health-Related Issues

Health Canada strongly recommends an individual risk assessment by your own family doctor or a travel medicine provider prior to travelling. Based on your health risks, the need for vaccinations or any special precautions can be determined.

It is recommended that you visit a travel clinic well before your departure. The travel clinic will ensure that you receive the most current advice, as well as any vaccinations and medications that are necessary to avoid health problems while abroad.

Contact Health Canada’s Travel Medicine Program to obtain more information and a list of travel clinics in your area. A list of travel clinics may also be obtained from the Canadian Society for International Health at (613) 241-5785.

Vaccinations

Before travelling to any destination, find out well in advance of your departure if you need any special vaccinations or preventive medications for such illnesses as yellow fever, typhoid, meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis or malaria. For instance, a meningococcal vaccination is required for pilgrims travelling to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the annual hajj; and an International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is a legal requirement to enter certain countries.

You may need to start receiving your vaccination shots or taking medication six to eight weeks before you leave. Also ensure that your routine immunizations – diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella – are up-to-date. Other immunization requirements will vary according to your age, existing medical conditions and the nature and duration of your time abroad.

If you are travelling with infants or small children, you may need to arrange an alternative or accelerated childhood immunization schedule for them. Talk to your pediatrician, family doctor or travel medicine clinic.

AIDS

AIDS/HIV is a global disease. Some countries require proof of AIDS testing. Have the test conducted and obtain the results before you leave. Call Health Canada to find out if the country where you plan to work requires this documentation. When you are overseas, take the same precautions you do at home. Do not assume that condoms will be readily available. Even if they are, they may not meet the safety standards set by the World Health
Organization.

Remember: Using intravenous drugs is not only illegal but is also extremely risky – especially if you share needles.

Medication

If you take medication, be sure to pack an extra supply or make arrangements for resupply in case you are away for longer than expected. Having a duplicate of your original prescription is highly recommended. Also, have an extra prescription that lists both the generic and the trade names of any drug you are taking, in case your medication is lost or stolen. This is also a good idea if you wear glasses or contact lenses – having the prescription makes it easier to replace them.

Do not try to save luggage space by combining medications into a single container. Keep all medications in the original, labelled container to avoid problems.

Find out whether your medication is sold in the country in which you will be working. Also check to see that it is legal. Some over-the-counter medications in Canada are illegal in other countries or require a prescription. Obtaining a note from your doctor that states the medical reasons for your prescription and the recommended dosage is also encouraged.

If you need syringes for a medical condition such as diabetes, it is very important that you take an appropriate supply. As well, you should have a medical certificate that shows they are needed for medical use.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition that could present a problem while you are abroad, it is wise to wear a MedicAlert® bracelet. Through the MedicAlert® Foundation, your vital medical facts become part of a database that can be accessed 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world.

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant and plan to work abroad, talk to your doctor. Some vaccinations may not be recommended. Also, check your health insurance plan carefully to ensure it covers health complications arising from pregnancy.

Health Insurance

Obtain health insurance before you go abroad. Make sure that you understand the terms of your policy and that it covers all your needs and those of all members of your family. There is nothing worse than being ill and on your own in a foreign country, and having to worry about large financial obligations. Health insurance is one of the best investments you can make.

Out-of-country health insurance is available through travel agents or directly from insurers listed in the Yellow Pages.™ Check the following points when purchasing such health insurance:

Are foreign hospital and related medical costs paid directly or are you required to pay up-front and seek reimbursement later?

Does the insurance cover medical evacuation to Canada, along with any required medical escorts?

Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?

Are premature births and related neonatal care covered?

Will the insurer provide a cash deposit in advance if a hospital requires it?

Does the insurance cover costs associated with a death abroad, including the return of remains to Canada?

Does the insurer maintain a service centre that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

Always carry a copy of your insurance policy with you, along with the telephone contact numbers of the insurer's service centre. This information should also be left with a friend or relative at home. If you receive medical attention, obtain a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital.

When you arrive in the country in which you will be working, make
a point of locating the nearest reputable clinic or hospital. Don't wait for an emergency: it may be too late! The local Canadian government office will be able to provide information on clinics and hospitals (for a list of Canadian government offices abroad, consult DFAIT's publication Bon Voyage, But...).

It is unlikely that your existing health insurance in Canada will provide coverage while you are overseas. Remember that, when you return to Canada, there is a three-month waiting period before your provincial health insurance becomes effective.

Other Insurance

Planning to drive while abroad? Keep in mind that most countries have laws that require drivers to have adequate insurance. Personal insurance is important, too. There are companies in Canada that will sell you insurance no matter where you are going to be. Where possible, purchase your insurance
from one of these companies, as their procedures may be more familiar to you.

It is possible that the company employing you overseas will make arrangements for health and other types of insurance for you. However, rather than making this assumption, check with the company's human resources department to find out your status and coverage. If you are not totally covered, take the necessary steps to rectify this. Also, if you are accompanied by a spouse, partner or children, find out the status of their coverage – they may not be included in your policy.

Regulations for Pets

If you are planning to take your pet overseas, call the host country's embassy or consulate in Canada well in advance of your departure to obtain information on all the necessary requirements. At a minimum, your pet will need vaccinations and a detailed health certificate. Your pet may also be required to undergo a period of quarantine before entering another country. When you are planning to return home, you may need to follow similar procedures and present a certificate stating that the pet was vaccinated for rabies within the preceding three years. For more information, contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Please choose from the following sections:

Introduction

Before You Go

What Documents Do You Need?

Practical and Financial Issues

Personal Issues and Concerns

Working Abroad

Returning to Canada

Canuck Abroad takes no responsibility for the information or accuracy contained in this section and suggest you go to http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/working_abroad-en.asp for the latest information.

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