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The vast majority of Canadians who visit Florida have a safe and rewarding experience. To make the most of your stay and prevent problems before they occur, we encourage you to follow these recommendations.

• Check our United States Travel Report for the latest safe-travel information.
  
   
• A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s license, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.
  
  
• The Consulate General of Canada in Miami can offer you regular and/or emergency passport services under certain circumstances. To avoid unnecessary processing delays, have your passport application pre-screened by consulate staff before sending it to Canada. The pre-screening can occur over the phone, in person, by e-mail or by fax.
  
  
• Obtain all required visas or permits if you will be marrying, studying, residing or working in the U.S. For more information on documentation requirements, please refer to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
  
  
• A maximum admission period of six months is the norm for Canadian retirees wintering in the U.S. The length of time you are allowed to visit is decided by U.S. officials when you enter the country. Be careful not to overstay your allotted time, as it may lead to complications.
  
   
• Be aware that if you break U.S. laws, you are subject to the local judicial system. The U.S. Zero Tolerance Policy imposes severe penalties for the possession of even a small amount of an illegal drug, and many Canadians get into serious trouble for buying, selling, using, or transporting drugs in the U.S.
  
   
• Canadians who intend to take a cruise embarking from Florida should consult our fact sheet entitled Cruise Ship Travel Tips.
  
   
• The hurricane season in Florida extends from June to late November, when flooding and heavy rain can occur. There may be disruptions in transport, utilities, emergency and medical care, and food, fuel, and water supplies. Visit the National Hurricane Center website at for information. Check with your travel agent or tour operator to confirm your travel plans prior to departure.
  
  
• Sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad service, so we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home.
  
  
• Invest in the best travel insurance you can afford to avoid the high cost of trip cancellation, hospitalization, medical evacuation, or another emergency. A single accident or medical evacuation could result in years of debt for you or your family if you are unprepared. Your provincial or territorial health insurance is almost certainly not adequate abroad. It is essential to obtain supplementary travel insurance before leaving Canada.

In an emergency, contact us at:

Consulate General of Canada
200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 1600
Miami, FL 33131 USA

Tel.: 305-579-1600, ext. 3346
Emergency tel.: (weekdays 8:30 - 16:00): 305-579-1600, ext. 3341
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa (24 hours): 1-888-949-9993
Fax.: 305-374-6774
E-mail: miami-cs@international.gc.ca
Web: www.canadainternational.gc.ca/miami

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Consular Services

Consular Services website
www.travel.gc.ca

General
Tel.: 1-800-267-6788 (in Canada and the U.S.) or 613-944-6788
TTY: 1-800-394-3472 (in Canada and the U.S.) or 613-944-1310
E-mail: travel@international.gc.ca

Emergencies
Tel.: 613-996-8885 (call collect from abroad where available)
E-mail: sos@international.gc.ca

Drugs and Travel Information Program
www.travel.gc.ca/drugs

Publications (free)
Access our smart-travel publications or order them by calling 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada) or 613-944-4000.

Country Travel Reports
Our Travel Reports provide vital information on safety and security, local laws and  customs, health conditions, and entry requirements for approximately 200 travel destinations. This information is also available by phone: 1-800-267-6788 (in Canada and the U.S.) or 613-944-6788.

Diplomatic Offices
Canadian government offices abroad:
www.travel.gc.ca/offices

Visit our For More Information page.

Publication Information

Published by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada

Information in this publication is readily available for personal and public non-commercial use and may be reproduced, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. We ask only that:

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All information in this publication is provided on an “as is” basis without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada makes all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in this publication is accurate. The reader is also encouraged to supplement this information with independent research and professional advice.

This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.

To obtain more information or free copies of this publication, write to:

Enquiries Service
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2
Tel.: 1-800-267-8376 (in Canada) or 613-944-4000
E-mail: enqserv@international.gc.ca

We would like to receive your comments on this publication. Write to us at the address above or e-mail us at travel@international.gc.ca.