Tips for traveling with children to/from Canada
Tips for traveling with children to/from Canada: It is perfectly possible to travel with children inside and outside of Canada. This also applies to your child or children under the age of 18.
Also, children in this age group are referred to as minors in Canada.
Minor children must also act in accordance with pre-existing conditions followed by all other aliens entering or exiting Canada.
If you intend to travel to or outside of Canada with children, it is important that you present all of the child/children’s travel documents, including passports.
Minors entering Canada without the required documents or entering Canada without their parents or legal guardians will be subject to strict surveillance.
Therefore, the documents that minors need to enter Canada depend on whether the child is traveling alone or with their parent, guardian, or other person.
[bellows config_id=”main” menu=”643″]In this post, we will examine various tips that will be helpful when traveling with a child or children inside and outside of Canada.
What you should know about your child’s passport
The information in this section will help you get to know the child passport.
Photos in the children’s passport
It is imperative that your child/children’s passports contain two (2) recent photographs. Both photos are expected to look exactly the same.
Of course, the photo must not have exceeded the last six (6) months.
In addition, the signature of the guarantor and the photographer’s stamp with the date and studio information must be attached to one of the photos on the back.
Also Read:Apply for Canada Visitor Visa from anywhere in the world
Also Read:7 types of visas to enter Canada from any country
Signature on the children’s passport
Indeed, signing your child’s passport will invalidate it. You can leave the signature field in the passport if your child is under 16 years old.
In addition, children under the age of 11 are allowed to sign their passport. Children between the ages of 11 and 15 and 16 and over must sign their passport.
Fill in the emergency contact field in the passport
It is obligatory for parents to fill out the emergency contact field in the child or child pass.
Also, the information in this field can be updated later if the person changes their contact information.
Also, the emergency contact should be someone who is not traveling with the child.
Who can apply for a child passport?
his/her parents (the signatures of the child’s father and mother are required, unless a court order states otherwise or if one of the parents is deceased)
The child’s guardian (must provide proof of legal guardianship such as a court order)
Divorced parent with decision-making authority (must provide copy of divorce certificate, decree or court decision).
Also, each of the child’s legal guardians must sign the passport application form.
Parents can also ask a judge to sign the form themselves if the legal guardian(s) is/are unavailable.
What documents are required to apply for a child passport in Canada?
- registration form
- Two (2) photos that look the same
- Proof of the child’s citizenship, including a birth certificate or Canadian citizenship certificate
- Proof of parentage, which includes a long birth certificate, court-issued adoption order, or foreign birth certificate with the names of both parents
- Proof of child custody, separation or divorce
- Traveling with a child with/without a passport outside of Canada
- There is emphatically no way for children to travel abroad from Canada without a passport. Newborns also need their own passport to travel outside of Canada.
- If you are traveling with a child within Canada, you may need to take identification for the child and proof of kinship.
The child’s birth certificate can thus serve as a means of identification. A parenting or guardianship order may be used as proof of your relationship to the child.
Minor children visit Canada
In general, minor children may travel alone to or outside of Canada without their parents or legal guardian.
Nevertheless, the child needs the following documents.
His/her valid passport
Copy of birth certificate
English or French letter of power of attorney duly signed by both parents or their legal guardian.
It is equally important that the letter includes the contact information of the parent or guardian, such as home address and phone number.
The authorization letter should also include the name and contact information of an adult supervising the child in Canada.
Traveling with a child with one parent
Of course it is allowed to travel with a child with father or mother inside and outside of Canada.
In a situation where a minor child needs to travel abroad with only one parent, the accompanying parent must have the following documents.
The child’s passport
A copy of the child’s birth certificate
A letter of consent, usually written in English or French. The letter should be signed by the parent who is absent from the trip.
In addition, the letter of consent should include the home address, telephone number, and a photocopy of the absent parent’s signed passport or ID card.
Traveling with a child without a parent due to separation or divorce
Undoubtedly, the Canadian government permits a parent to travel within or outside of Canada with a child if their marriage has been legally dissolved.
In this situation, the parent traveling with their child inside or outside of Canada must meet some of the conditions listed below.
Possession of copies of custody documents issued after separation or divorce
Approval from the other custodial parent may also be required to travel abroad with the child
Traveling with a child with sole custody after separation/divorce
There are often cases where both parents are divorced and only one of them has custody of the child or children from the marriage.
Therefore, you may need a signed consent form from the parent who has sole custody of the child.
A copy of the custody order is also required when traveling with a child without one parent with sole custody.
Traveling with a child if one parent has died
If you are traveling with a child who has only one parent, you must take a copy of the deceased’s death certificate with you.
How to Traverse Canada as a Foreigner
Traveling with a child under the age of 18 with a guardian or adoptive parents
In this case, the child must have a copy of the guardianship certificate or the adoption certificate.
Traveling with a child if they are not their parents or legal guardian
Undeniably, a minor child is permitted to travel in and out of Canada with another person who is not their parent or legal guardian.
Therefore, an adult who has written permission from the child’s parent or guardian must supervise and guide the child throughout the trip.
In addition, the letter must include the contact details of both parents such as home addresses and phone numbers. A certification of the authorization letter is not required.
Also, the authorization letter should include a photocopy of the signed passport or ID card of the parent or guardian.
Also, keep in mind that the border guard is unlikely to request these documents when the child visits Canada.
Without a doubt, the child can be denied entry to Canada if you cannot show the border guard a permit.
- frequently asked Questions
- How long are passports for children under the age of 16 valid for?
- A period of five (5) years
Can I renew my child’s passport after it expires?
No, you must apply for a new passport for your child.
What Documents Do Minors Need to Study in Canada?
- Undoubtedly, minor children need a valid study permit to enroll for study in Canada. You can apply for this with the documents listed below.
- Proof of identity that includes a valid passport or travel document and two (2) recent passport photos
- Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada
- A letter of explanation for missing documents due to COVID-19, etc.
- Proof of financial support
- A valid certificate d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) or proof of CAQ application (if applicable)
Custodian Statement (minor children)
What should I do if I feel like the other parent won’t give my child back to me?
It is necessary that you seek legal advice in a timely manner if you feel that the other parent or guardian is unlikely to return your child to you.
For example, you can apply to a court to have the other parent/guardian’s passport revoked without notifying them first.
What do I need to travel inside or outside of Canada without the other parent?
- The child belongs to passport
- Child’s long-form birth certificate
- Informed consent from the parent or legal guardian who is absent from the trip
- Death certificate if the other parent or legal guardian is dead
- Adoption Order (if required)
- Court order granting you permission from a judge to travel with the child
- Conclusion
All in all, traveling to or outside of Canada with a child is not as difficult as you might think. This article has just touched on different areas to give you the necessary information and advice.
