Old and new Jamaican passports. - Contributed Amitabh Sharma, Features Coordinator
Every year more than 35 million people from around the world visit Canada. Stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic and deep into the Arctic, Canada is the second-largest country in the world. Canada has a lot of places to experience from rugged mountain peaks and soft sandy beaches, bustling cosmopolitan cities surrounded by quiet cozy villages.
Historic sites brimming with authentic traditions and stories from the past, galleries showcasing modern works and masters of Canadiana. Innovative attractions to delight the imagination. Diverse and endlessly engaging, Canada is made for exploring.
Niagara Falls has traditionally been a popular spot for Jamaican tourists to Canada. However, there are many natural wonders and other attractions worth experiencing across Canada, from coast to coast and everything in-between.
Natural wonders
It is easy to travel the length and breadth of Canada, you can fly to most cities in the country. You can take the train or drive the Trans-Canada Highway from one coast to the other. Inter-city bus services connect many cities and towns across the country and all major cities have public transit systems to help you get around.
According to data gathered by Statistics Canada, an average of 2,000 travellers per month from Jamaica visited Canada in 2006.
According to Statistics Canada records, 19,000 persons from Jamaica travelled to Canada in 2002, versus 16,000 in2003, 21,000 in 2004 and 21,000 in 2005.
Canada visa procedures
In order to visit Canada:
You must respect Canadian laws;
You will need a valid passport, proof of identity, or other travel documents;
You must be healthy. You might need a doctor's examination.
Temporary Resident Visa (TRV or Visitor) Application Instructions
The Visa Section of the Canadian High Commission at 3 West King's House Road, Kingston 10 (telephone 926-1500), accepts applications from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The Visa Section is closed to the public on Fridays.
IMPORTANT: Please apply several weeks before your intended travel date.
You may apply in person, between 8:00-11:00 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday.
An interview appointment will be scheduled when the application and documents are submitted and the processing fee paid. Your interview time is noted on your payment receipt.
The decision to issue a visa or not is made on the day of the interview. The passport(s) and visa(s) are normally to be collected on the day of the interview. Temporary Resident visas cannot be issued beyond the passport expiry date.
Cross-border currency reporting
Under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, there are no restrictions on the amount of money that you can bring into or take out of Canada, nor is it illegal to do so. However, you now have to report to a customs officer amounts equal to or greater than CAN$10,000 that you are bringing into or taking out of Canada.
Documentation required
Failure to submit all the requested documentation may result in the refusal of your application.
A fully completed application form (please note that information about the applicant's spouse and children must be included on the application irrespective of whether they are travelling with the applicant). Application forms and further details can be obtained at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.html;
Valid passport(s) - Please also include all expired passports;
Two passport-size photographs of each applicant;
A letter from your employer and/or your spouse's employer indicating position, salary, years of employment and leave entitlement;
Proof of your business if you are self-employed - by presenting your business and taxation registration documents, certificate of incorporation and articles of association, trade certificates, licence and recent financial statements for the business;
Proof of adequate funds for your trip, e.g. recent bank statement(s) and corresponding bank book(s), investment certificates and monthly chequing account statements;
Proof of your assets, e.g. land title and/or motor vehicle registration;
Elderly Dependants should provide evidence of landing or citizenship of your host(s) in Canada as well as a current bank statement and job letter specifying position and salary for the person (and his/her spouse);
Your Travel Itinerary (available from your travel agent);
Receipt of fee payment (see below for more information).
If the purpose of your visit is business, you should bring a letter from your employer indicating the purpose of your travel, your itinerary within Canada, and stating who will cover the cost of your travel, as well as a letter from the Canadian business confirming the nature and duration of your business travel.
Applications for children under the age of 22 or if over 22 years but continuously enrolled in full-time attendance at a post-secondary institution will only be accepted from the child's parent or court appointed legal guardian (with proper photo identification). The parent or legal guardian must be able to prove that he or she would qualify for a visitor visa, in his or her own right, in order for the child to receive a visitor visa.
In addition to the documents listed above for the parent/legal guardian, the application for a child must include the following additional documents:
School LeaveLetter for the child;
Child's Birth Certificate to prove the relationship between parent and child;
In the case of children in the care of a court-appointed guardian, the original or certified true copy of the court decision naming the guardian.
Fee payment
The application processing fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of your application.
Payment for Temporary Resident Visa applications must be made at any branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia islandwide. There is a transaction fee of J$100 payable to the Bank of Nova Scotia for this service, in addition to the Temporary Resident Visa application processing fee.
Health insurance
Canada does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors. It's important to obtain travel health insurance before leaving home since the visitor's regular health insurance may not include coverage outside his or her country of residence. Hospital care for non-residents of Canada is charged at a daily rate or on the basis of the medical condition and length of stay. Charges vary from province to province and from hospital to hospital, but generally range from CND$1,000 to CND$2,000 a day. In an emergency, visitor's can contact police, fire or ambulance services by dialling 911 (as opposed to 119 in Jamaica) on any telephone.
Restricted goods and items
Canadian border services officers are at the ports of entry to ensure that people entering Canada respect Canadian laws. They are authorised to examine people and goods entering Canada to determine their admissibility. Their goal is to facilitate the entry of legitimate travellers and goods as quickly as possible.
Importation of the following goods into Canada is restricted. Make sure you have the information you require before attempting to import these items into Canada.
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products (there are limits to the amount of each that can be brought into Canada duty free);
Firearms and weapons;
Explosives, fireworks and ammunition;
Endangered species;
Items for commercial use;
Prohibited goods such as obscene material, hate propaganda and child pornography;
Radio transmitting equipment;
Food products;
Plants;
Animals.
If you are importing prescription drugs, make sure they are clearly identified. The drugs should be in the original packaging with a label that specifies what they are and that they are being used under prescription. If this is not possible, carry a copy of the prescription or a letter from your doctor.
- Source: High Commission of Canada, Kingston
