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Financial Assistance - FAQ

1. How can I transfer funds from Canada to another country?
   
   
2. Where can I get assistance in transferring funds?
   
   
3. What types of emergency financial assistance are provided by the Government of Canada?
   
   
4. Will the government pay to bring me back to Canada?
   
   
5. How do I repay a loan that I received from the Government of Canada?
   
   
6. What should I do before leaving to avoid financial problems abroad?
   

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1.  How can I transfer funds from Canada to another country?

In most cases, you can transfer funds from your own bank account, or another private source, using one of many commercial agencies, such as Western Union or CanadianForex, that perform this service for a fee.

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2.  Where can I get assistance in transferring funds?

If you are unable to transfer funds from your own bank account or another private source through a commercial agency, such as Western Union or CanadianForex, the nearest Canadian government office abroad can assist you in arranging a financial transfer from Canada. Fees apply, and two or more working days are required for these transactions.
A transfer from a private source, with the assistance of a Canadian government office abroad, involves the following steps:

• Contact the nearest Canadian government office abroad and provide information, including details on the source of the funds and where you can be reached. You also need to advise the source of funds in Canada that you have authorized the transfer.
• Consular officials in Ottawa can make arrangements for a wire transfer from your bank. If you make these arrangements yourself, advise your bank that the transfer should be to:

Royal Bank of Canada
Lester B. Pearson Branch
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON
K1N 8V5
Tel.: 613-564-2005
       506-864-2275 (collect calls accepted from overseas)
Fax: 613-789-4796

For the electronic transfer to the Royal Bank, use transit number 01016 and institution number 003. The wire transfer should be made payable to the Receiver General for Canada. Your bank should ensure that the Royal Bank informs the responsible consular official once the funds have been transferred.

• A consular service fee of CAN$75 will be deducted from the transferred funds.
• The Canadian government office will advise you once the transferred funds are available.

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3.   What types of emergency financial assistance are provided by the Government of Canada?

The Department of Justice Canada provides financial assistance to Canadians who are victims of violent crimes abroad, in situations of undue hardship where no other source of financial assistance is available. The specified crimes are homicide, sexual assault, aggravated assault, and assault with serious personal violence.

Information on eligibility and the application process is available through the Department of Justice Canada’s Victims Fund, which is administered by the Policy Centre for Victim Issues.

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4.   Will the government pay to bring me back to Canada?

The Canadian government will not pay for your return to Canada. However, Canadian government officials abroad will assist you in contacting relatives and friends to ask them to transfer money or airfare to you.

In certain emergency situations, if it is not possible to arrange for funds from a private source, a Canadian government office abroad can provide limited financial assistance in the form of a loan for a return trip to Canada. This service is offered only as a last resort and is subject to strict rules. A consular service fee of CAN$75 will be applied to this loan.

The loan must be repaid as soon as possible upon you return to Canada. As a condition of the loan, you will be required to surrender your passport, which will not be returned or reissued until the loan is repaid in full. Such a loan carries an interest rate established by the Department of Finance Canada (Bank of Canada rate plus 3%). This interest cannot be waived and will be applied monthly until the debt is paid. For more information on how to repay a loan received from the Governement of Canada, please see question 5 of this FAQ.

Financial assistance is not a right and depends on the circumstances of each case.

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5.   How do I repay a loan that I received from the Government of Canada?

When you were provided financial assistance, you signed an application for the amount of the loan and an undertaking to repay. This loan must be reimbursed in its totality as quickly as possible when you return to Canada.

Upon your return to Canada, you will be issued an invoice from Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada detailing your debt. This invoice will include a customer number, which you should use as a reference. There are several payment options available:

1. Passport Canada: To pay at a Passport Canada office, you may pay by debit card, credit card, certified cheque, or money order. These payments must be made in person. Make sure you have your customer number available.
2. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada: To pay directly to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, you can provide a money order, a certified cheque, or post-dated personal cheques payable to the “Receiver General for Canada” (allow 30 days for personal cheques to clear). Cheques should be mailed to the following address:

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Cashier’s Office (SMFM)
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0G2

Please include your customer number on all cheques.

If you do not receive an invoice, please contact us toll-free at 1-800-267-6788 (or 613-996-8885) to ensure we have your correct mailing address.

If you choose to make arrangements to repay your debt in monthly instalments rather than a lump sum payment, please note that your passport will not be returned or reissued until your debt is paid in full.

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6.  What should I do before leaving to avoid financial problem abroad?

• Plan your finances in advance and budget your expenses while abroad.
• Before leaving Canada, consult a bank or foreign currency agent to find out the most appropriate currency to carry.
• Have a small amount of the local currency on hand when you arrive, unless importing local currency is a crime, and use automated banking machines (ABMs) or traveller's cheques for the rest of your spending needs.
• Be aware that your debit or credit card may not be accepted abroad. Before departure, make arrangements to obtain additional funds if needed.