Depending on what country you have citizenship from, and what country you are travelling to, you may be required to have a visa for entry.
The Visa process can take weeks-months. Be sure to do your research in advance and where applicable, start your visa application as soon as possible.
If you travel to a country that has a visa requirement without proper documentation, you will be refused entry.
If you are a permanent resident of Canada, you may be required to travel with additional documentation other than your passport such as a Permanent Resident card, or a Permanent Resident Travel Card.
Be sure to do your research in advance.
Upon return to Canada, you will need these documents with you in order to be granted entry back into Canada. Do not lose them.
*If a travel warning has been issued before you leave and you are thinking about cancelling or postponing travel, or if a warning has been issued after you have departed and are considering returning home, please contact Backpack regarding refunds and or flight resources. Call collect: 1-603-952-2689.
The Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website includes Travel Warnings and Advisories for specific countries experiencing civil unrest. Their website is www.travel.gc.ca and the information is updated regularly.
We recommend that you check this website prior to leaving Canada for essential travel information.
When a Travel Warning or Advisory has been issued for a country that you are travelling to, it is important for you to be aware of the impact this may have on your Out-of-Canada Emergency Medical benefit with Backpack.
Although your coverage itself may be allowed, expenses incurred while travelling in a country (or specific region of a country) for which there is a Government of Canada travel warning to avoid all travel or non-essential travel, when such travel warning was issued before the departure date and the loss or expense is related to the reason for which the travel warning was issued; or participation in a criminal act or attempt to commit a criminal act, regardless of whether charges are laid or a conviction is obtained; insurrection, war (declared or not), the hostile action of the armed forces of any country or participation in any riot or civil commotion, may not be eligible for coverage depending on the nature of the claim. All other benefit exclusions apply.
To learn more about the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic including government warnings, risk levels and more, click here to access the Backpack COVID-19 risk map.
To learn about risks and rights for LGBTQ+ travellers, click here. *This map is provided by an external third party and subject to change without notice. If you want to learn more or have concerns, please contact Backpack before your departure for advice and support.
-Click here to Take a look at the link below to see the possible kidnapping risks in every country. *Subject to change without notice. Always consult the Government of Canada travel advisory website: www.travel.gc.ca.
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Students requiring proof of coverage for their Visa application may email backpack@studentvip.ca for a proof of coverage letter.
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Students only require a travel letter if the country they are travelling to requires a letter for entry into the country, or if they have to apply for a travel visa.
Applicants for a J1 Visa require specific levels of coverage in order to obtain the visa. The travel coverage offered through the Backpack program meets the all requirements. If you are J1 visa applicant and need more information, please contact us at backpack@studentvip.ca