BORDER BASICS
Be sure to have proper documentation when travelling with children. Travelling with children by Tania Moffat W
hen travelling with children outside of Canada, it is important to carry all the paperwork necessary to help you with Canadian or foreign customs and
immigration. Children sometimes require additional documentation. While you may not be asked to pro- duce all the information every time, being prepared will save you a lot of time and unnecessary set-backs. Below are some helpful tips provided by the Canada Border Services Agency and Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada. • When travelling internationally, carry a passport and supporting documents for all children un- der the age of majority travelling with you (18 in Manitoba). To avoid problems, passports should be valid for at least six months after your planned re- turn to Canada. See
travel.gc.ca/passport for more information.
• Parents should bring supporting documents such as a birth certificate or Certificate of Canadian Citizenship.
• If a child is going to be travelling abroad alone, with one parent/guardian, with friends, relatives or with a group, they will need to carry a letter of con- sent. You may be asked to present a consent letter by immigration authorities when entering or leav- ing another country or by Canadian officials when returning home. Letters should be witnessed and contain the full name, address and phone number
The Hub
of the child’s parents or legal guardians. For more information about consent letters and to access a free letter template visit
travel.gc.ca/letter.
• Parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of their divorce papers and legal cus- tody documents. A death certificate should also be included with your paperwork if one or both par- ents are deceased.
• Canada Border Services Agency officers watch for missing children and may ask detailed questions about the children who are travelling with you. Tis can be an intimidating experience. You can prepare your children by letting them know that they might be asked questions by a border services officer and that they shouldn’t be afraid to answer them honestly.
• Immigration officials need sufficient information to prove citizenship and custody or guardianship. If you do not have the proper documents officials may hold you and your party until they are able to confirm your nationality and custody. Tey may call, but are not limited to calling, the child’s parent to confirm that the parent authorized the child to travel, and check their databases to ensure that the child has not been reported missing.
• For more tips on travelling with children, visit
travel.gc.ca/child or consult the safe-travel pub- lication Travelling with Children at
travel.gc.ca/ publication.
Summer 2014 • 59
Photo courtesy of the Canadian Border Services Agency.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80