Canada has introduced a number of entry restrictions that also apply to Norwegian citizens due to the coronavirus (covid-19). For more information about the restrictions and coronavirus, see the entry Entry and Health.
Safety
Most trips to Canada are made without special problems. However, travelers may be subject to unpleasant surprises, violence and other crime. Travelers should therefore be vigilant and take reasonable precautions.
Norway is represented in Canada with an embassy in Ottawa. In addition, we have ten honorary consulates spread across Canada.
The terror threat in Canada is generally low. However, there have been incidents in recent years that have allowed the Canadian authorities to temporarily raise the threat level of terrorism from ‘low’ to ‘medium’. However, it is not necessary for travelers to take special precautions. If a situation arises, the embassy will deal with the Canadian authorities and their security arrangements. See Public Safety Canada for more information.
When entering Canada, you must state the purpose of the trip, where you live and present your return ticket. If you are traveling from Canada to the US, some time must be spent on immigration. This applies to all forms of entry. Only electronically readable passports are approved for entry to the United States. Crime is relatively low, but is more likely in the big cities. Travelers must take necessary precautions; doors should be kept locked at all times, luggage/ bags, etc. must be kept at all times, large sums of money should be kept in a safe place, copies of passports and travel documents should be kept separately from the originals.
Road safety is generally good, but it is recommended that tourists take out full insurance when renting a car. It is an advantage to have an international driver’s license, this is obtained from NAF before departure from Norway. In Canada you drive on the right side of the road and safety belts are required. For children up to nine years, child seats are required. It is allowed to turn right at the red light except in certain parts of Quebec. Distance and speed are given according to the metric system. Speed controls often occur. When driving outside residential areas one must be aware that wild animals can cross the roadway, especially at night. Please note that each province has the authority to establish its own traffic and safety laws. Road conditions and driving tips: Transport Canada or The Canadian Automobile Association.
Wildlife is some of the best Canada has to offer, but some of the animals can be dangerous in certain situations. In Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, there is a bear attack. Moose, cougars and coyotes can also be a danger. Before going on a wilderness trip, one should consult with local celebrities about what precautions should be taken.
Lightning, tornadoes and forest fires can occur across Canada. Thunder and lightning are common in summer and can often damage property. Tornadoes can hit almost anywhere, mainly in the period May-September. Forest fires can occur anywhere, but the risk is higher in western Canada. In the ski resorts in Alberta and British Columbia, one must be aware of snow avalanches. Tourists are encouraged to listen to local media and follow the weather forecast. In the western mountainous areas earthquakes can occur. The western province of British Columbia is in an active seismic zone.
Emergency telephone in Canada is 911 and applies to ambulance, police and fire. Should this not work on the ATMs, dial 0 so that you can talk to a telephone operator that puts you over to 911. It does not cost anything to call the emergency telephone from a public telephone.
If you have lost your passport, contact the local police station immediately to report the situation. Then contact the nearest Norwegian embassy or honorary consulate. Through these you will be able to obtain emergency passports. Please note that emergency passports cannot be used when entering the United States.
You should make sure you take out good travel insurance – or check that the one you have is adequate for your next trip. Good travel insurance will cover, among other things, expenses related to injuries, accidents, illness, home transport and death. If you are affected by illness or accident during a temporary stay abroad, you should contact the insurance company (alarm center) or tour operator.
Entry
Coronavirus (covid-19): Due to the virus , Canada has introduced a number of entry restrictions that also apply to Norwegian citizens. The entry restrictions apply to foreigners without a permanent residence permit in Canada, as well as all travelers with coronavirus symptoms (covid-19). There are exceptions for holders of valid visas such as students and employees. All travelers must quarantine for a compulsory 14 days. Plan for self-quarantine must be presented. Mask is mandatory when traveling. On Saturday, March 21, the US-Canada border closed for tourists and unnecessary travel. Note that there are also travel restrictions between some Canadian provinces.
More information on entry restrictions is available from the Canadian government.
Contact your travel company or airline if you have booked travel to Canada.
Remember that electronic travel registration (eTA) is required for Norwegian travelers, even at stopovers.
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Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.
Norwegian citizens do not need a visa to stay in Canada and can stay up to six months in the country. Canada has introduced mandatory electronic travel registration (ETA) for visa-free travelers as of September 30, 2016.
All Norwegians who do not have a visa or permanent residence in Canada and who arrive by plane must have a valid ETA before departure. Registration must be done online before checking in at the airport. ETA is valid for five years or until the end of the passport. If you change your passport, you must apply for a new ETA. This also applies in case of emergency passports.
Visa regulations are constantly changing, so you may want to update yourself before traveling. Before arriving in Canada, you must complete an entry form for the customs authorities distributed on the aircraft. At some airports, the form is filled in on arrival. Other passport and visa regulations can be found on the website of the Canadian Embassy in Oslo, or the Canadian main page for immigration cases.
Canadian authorities recommend that children traveling alone or with only one parent carry a written confirmation from non-accompanying parents on the trip, stating that the child has their permission to travel. Complementary recommendations can be found on the website of Canadian immigration authorities.
Canada legalized the use of cannabis on October 17, 2018. Travelers between Canada and the United States should be aware that cannabis will still be illegal under US federal law, and that admitting cannabis use may result in denied entry. Updated information can be found on the website of the US Embassy in Ottawa.
Health
Coronavirus (covid-19): The coronavirus has been detected in Canada, and Norwegian travelers should keep abreast of how the virus is developing. Follow local authorities’ advice, guidance and instructions on how to deal with the situation. More information about the coronavirus in Canada can be found on Coronavirus disease; outbrake update.
You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.
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Health conditions in Canada are of a good standard, but it is expensive if you do not have insurance. Travel insurance is therefore strongly recommended. Prior to departure, one should inquire with their insurance company about what kind of insurance is needed. More information on health conditions and risks can be found on the Health Canada website.
If you are bitten by an animal, you must consult a doctor because of the risk of rabies and other diseases. This is especially prevalent among small animals such as raccoons and bats. Mosquitoes and other insects can be troublesome during the summer months.
Practical information
According to allcitycodes, the area code for calls from Norway to Canada is + 1. The time difference to Norway varies between 4.5 hours in the east to nine hours in the west.
Power is 110 volts.
The coin unit is Canadian dollars (CAD) and a CAD is worth in excess of six Norwegian kroner.
The Internet domain in Canada is.ca
Most credit cards can be used (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners etc.) and the use of the chip is common. It is worth noting that not all ATMs allow withdrawals with foreign debit or credit cards.
Normal opening hours are 9-17 for public offices and banks. The banks are closed on Saturday and Sunday. Stores are often open until 21 on weekdays and 17 or 18 on Saturday and Sunday.
National Holidays: 1st New Year’s Day, Good Friday, 1st Easter Day, Victoria Day (3rd Monday in May), Canada Day (1st July), Labor Day (1st Monday in September), Thanksgiving (Second Monday in October), 1st and Christmas Day. Variations occur from province to province.
Canada is a multicultural country. The country has two official languages, English (67.1 percent) and French (21.5 percent). 11.4 percent of the population has another language as their mother tongue. French is the main language in the province of Quebec, and leaving the cities in the province can be difficult to communicate in English.
Norwegians traveling in Canada must follow Canadian law. Local laws and regulations vary in the different provinces. Breaking the law can result in imprisonment in a local prison with subsequent deportation.
The age limit for the import and consumption of alcohol is 19 years, with the exception of Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec where the age limit is 18 years.
Prices in Canada are quoted without VAT, so add approx. 15 percent (depending on province). When visiting restaurants, bars and hairdressers it is also mandatory to tip (the general rule is 15 percent of the amount). Taxi drivers and other service personnel are also advised.
The temperature can get high in summer, but rarely above 35 degrees. In winter, parts of the country can experience extreme cold, often reinforced by cold winds.