Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ). The answers provide information that supplements our Travel Reports and Warnings and Global Issues pages, as well as our list of services offered.

1. Travel Reports

   • What are Travel Reports?

   • Who should read Travel Reports?

   • How are Travel Reports developed and maintained?

   • How often are Travel Reports revised?

   • What do the four risk levels mean?

   • How do you determine the risk level of a country or region?

   • How do I determine if it is safe for me to travel?
     

2. Global Issues

   • What are Global Issues?
     

3. Travel Updates

   • How can I keep track of safety and security conditions abroad?

4. Travel Warnings

   • What are Travel Warnings?

   • When does the Government of Canada issue a Travel Warning?

   • How often are Travel Warnings revised?

   • Should I cancel my trip if a Travel Warning has been issued?

1. Travel Reports

What are Travel Reports?                                 

Travel Reports provide Canadians with official information and advice from the Government of Canada on situations that may affect their safety and well-being abroad. They may include a Travel Warning for a country or region where security conditions put Canadians at heightened risk. Travel Reports help Canadians make their own informed decisions in order to minimize risk while travelling abroad.

Who should read Travel Reports?

All Canadians who venture outside Canada, including tourists, business travellers, students and those living overseas should read Travel Reports.

How are Travel Reports developed and maintained?

Consular Services’ Travel Information Program team collects continuous reports on safety and security abroad from a variety of sources and monitors world events. The team also analyses trends and incidents affecting international travellers. Travel Reports are updated promptly to inform Canadians of situations that may affect their safety and security abroad.

How often are Travel Reports revised?

Revisions are done on a cyclical basis or as required if security conditions in a country or a region change.

What do the four risk levels mean?

Each Travel Report contains a graph indicating the country’s overall level of security risk. There may be more than one graph if the risk level differs in a specific region.

The four risk levels are as follows:

There are no significant security concerns.

There are identifiable security concerns; travellers should be alert and vigilant to their surroundings.

There are specific security concerns; travellers should reconsider their need to travel at this time (official Government of Canada Travel Warning).

There is an extreme risk to personal safety; Canadians should not travel at this time (official Government of Canada Travel Warning).

How do you determine the risk level of a country or region?

The risk level is based on an overall assessment of the current security situation in a country or region. However, this assessment is not exhaustive.

How do I determine if it is safe for me to travel?

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the individual. Travel Reports and Warnings provide recommendations about safety and security conditions abroad to enable Canadians to make their own informed decisions regarding travel.

2.  Global Issues 

What are Global Issues?

Global Issues provide information highlighting situations around the world of particular interest to Canadians living or travelling abroad.

3.  Travel Updates

How can I keep track of safety and security conditions abroad?

Subscribe to our daily Travel Updates to receive e-mails that summarize changes made to our Travel Reports and Global Issues. You can also contact our Emergency Watch and Response Centre 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

4.  Travel Warnings

What are Travel Warnings?

Travel Warnings appear in the Travel Reports of countries where the security of Canadians may be compromised. They provide the Government of Canada’s official advice regarding travel to a specific country or region. A Travel Warning may recommend that Canadians avoid “all travel” or “non-essential travel” to a country or region and, in some cases, that they leave that country or region.

When does the Government of Canada issue a Travel Warning?

There are many events that can necessitate an official Travel Warning, including the threat of terrorism, civil unrest, war, rebellion, a natural disaster, political instability, and health emergencies.

How often are Travel Warnings revised?

The Government of Canada closely monitors safety and security conditions abroad, particularly in countries for which Travel Warnings have been issued. As new information becomes available, the level of risk is reassessed, and a Travel Warning may be issued, upgraded or downgraded.

Should I cancel my trip if a Travel Warning has been issued?

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the individual. You are strongly advised to follow the Government of Canada’s official travel advice to ensure your personal safety and security. It is up to the individual to decide what constitutes “non-essential travel,” based on family or business requirements, knowledge of a country or region, and other factors.

Cancelling a scheduled trip could cost you money, so check with your travel agent, travel insurer, or airline/tour operator first. Travel insurers generally take into account the government’s Travel Warnings when determining their refund policy, but they have no legal or contractual obligation to do so.