If you are planning to visit or move to Canada, there are several things you need to do in preparation for your trip. Gone are the days when you could travel across the border with only your driver’s license and a whim. In today’s world, you need to do a little planning and make sure you have all the legal documents necessary to cross the international line. Also, you should consider taking steps to prepare for potential emergencies or unplanned accidents.

Passports

You will need to get a passport in order to travel to Canada if you are a United States citizen. Getting a passport is not a difficult process, but it does take a few months for your application to be processed and a passport issued. You can get passport applications online or from most local post offices. Complete the passport application and include your original birth certificate, original legal documentation of any name changes, a passport photograph and the processing fee. If you are in a rush, you can ask for expedited processing and deliver your passport application to a processing office in person. You can get passport information and applications at www.travel.state.gov .

Travel Insurance

Another step you should take is getting travel insurance. Whether you are planning to visit Canada for a few weeks, months or planning on moving there, meeting with an accident, you will need insurance. Travel insurance provides coverage for you and your family if you get in an accident or need medical attention. Although Canada has an excellent medical system, medical services are charged at a premium rate for non-citizens. As a result, you can save yourself a great deal of money and upset by purchasing travel insurance before traveling to Canada.

Even if you are planning on moving to Canada, you will still need travel insurance for your medical needs. There is a waiting period for medical coverage from the medical system in Canada and during this time, you will need to make sure your medical needs are covered with insurance.

For information on the different kinds of travel insurance policies available, go to Kanetix.ca. This is an online insurance comparison service helping Canadians and non-Canadian visitors. They can provide you with detailed information about travel insurance policies and rate comparisons to help you find the best travel insurance for your needs.

Making Travel Arrangements

When you are planning your visit to Canada, consider the difference between currencies as you are making travel arrangements. Often, you can make travel arrangements yourself through travel sites such as Orbitz, Travelocity and Hotwire. However, you might find it to your advantage to call a travel agency with agents, who are familiar with Canada, particularly the regions you are planning to visit. Often, travel agencies have specials that are not made available to travel websites and you may find that you can get better deals.

Another consideration when making your travel arrangements is whether you need to rent a car. Generally, your United States driver’s license will be adequate if you are planning on driving in Canada. However, if you are planning on doing a great deal of international travel, it might be worth your while to get an international drivers license. This type of driver’s license will allow you to legally drive in almost any country around the world.

Financial Arrangements

Be sure to notify your bank and credit card companies in advance of your travel plans. Many credit card companies monitor spending activity and will place a hold on your card if they see unusual charges. By notifying them in advance, you will prevent finding yourself stranded without access to your card in a foreign country.

Also, bring a small amount of actual currency with you as you travel to Canada. Although it is not a good idea to travel with large amounts of currency, having a small amount of money with you will allow you to be able to easily exchange money at airports or train stations when you arrive.

Often, you will receive the best currency exchange rates by using credit cards or debit cards. Check with your bank and credit card Company to find out what their currency exchange rate policies are for foreign travel. In some cases, credit card companies tack on an exchange fee for foreign travel purchases, so it is a good idea to ask about policies in advance of your travel plans.

Canada is a great place for Americans to visit and spend vacations. If you are planning to travel across the border, make sure you have all the necessary legal documentation with you. Also consider purchasing travel insurance and notifying your bank and credit card companies about your travel plans in advance. With a little bit of advance planning, your vacation to Canada should be an enjoyable experience.