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What to prepare before flight to Canada?

erikap03

Member
Feb 15, 2018
10
0
Philippines
Hi! So our family has been given a TRV and we have already arranged our transportation to and from Canada. We will be leaving in a month. What are other things that we should prepare?

Upon receiving our visas, there was a note saying we should update our measles vaccines. Is this really necessary?

What other documents/things we should prepare?

We dont want to be denied by immigration because of any missing documents/ travel must-haves. Any tips? Thank you!
 

bellaluna

VIP Member
May 23, 2014
7,405
1,781
Hi! So our family has been given a TRV and we have already arranged our transportation to and from Canada. We will be leaving in a month. What are other things that we should prepare?

Upon receiving our visas, there was a note saying we should update our measles vaccines. Is this really necessary?

What other documents/things we should prepare?

We dont want to be denied by immigration because of any missing documents/ travel must-haves. Any tips? Thank you!
Hmm, I only really hear about the measles vaccine note for TRVs issued in the Philippines. I think it's recommended but not really enforced. Like, I don't hear about anyone being denied entry into Canada if they didn't get vaccinated.

Only things you really need to enter Canada are your passport and TRV. Answer the customs declaration honestly (you can download the eDeclaration mobile app to save a few minutes at the immigration kiosks...one declaration per family)...declare food, even if admissible into Canada, and declare if you're bringing over CA$10,000 (combined as a family). The officers are more willing to give you leeway if you're forthcoming. If you're staying with relatives, memorize their address because the CBSA officer may also ask for it.

Make hard and soft copies of your passport and TRV in case of emergencies, know where the Philippine consulate is located in your city of destination.

The usual travel tip, which you might already know...all liquids in your carry-on must be in a 1L resealable bag, and each bottle/tube no more than 30 ml (you can cram as many bottles as can fit in the bag).

Even at outgoing Philippine immigration, they are a bit more lax with the questions if you were granted a visa to a developed nation like Canada. They'll probably ask if you have a relative in Canada, and they won't really pry if you show a return ticket in less than a month.

Just relax and enjoy your trip!
 
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erikap03

Member
Feb 15, 2018
10
0
Philippines
Just relax and enjoy your t
Hi! Thanks for the info. We will definitely remember these

It is our first time to travel to Canada and Im doing research on what and what not to do. I've read some horror stories about people not being able to board the plane because of lacking papers, shaky answers to immigration officers, etc.

Better safe than sorry. But really, thanks for the help. If ever you have other travel tips, I'm all ears. Good day!
 

bellaluna

VIP Member
May 23, 2014
7,405
1,781
Hi! Thanks for the info. We will definitely remember these

It is our first time to travel to Canada and Im doing research on what and what not to do. I've read some horror stories about people not being able to board the plane because of lacking papers, shaky answers to immigration officers, etc.

Better safe than sorry. But really, thanks for the help. If ever you have other travel tips, I'm all ears. Good day!
Hmmm, from my observation, those types of horror stories are more likely to countries where Filipinos don't require visas, like Hong Kong, Singapore, and UAE, and therefore are hotbeds for TNTs. I got asked to show my company ID when I was travelling to Hong Kong. But whenever I travelled to the US and Canada from the Philippines, even as a solo female traveller, I was never given a hard time. If you're a family, it's probably going to be even easier, since you're definitely not going to TNT. I guess Philippine immigration assumes that you've already been vetted extensively if you have a visa to a developed nation. For your case, though, like I said, what you must definitely show is a ticket with a return date...so you actually have to print out your electronic ticket showing the date of your return flight.

(For our international friends: TNT is Filipino slang for illegal immigrants or illegally immigrating/overstaying.)
 
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erikap03

Member
Feb 15, 2018
10
0
Philippines
For your case, though, like I said, what you must definitely show is a ticket with a return date...so you actually have to print out your electronic tick
Great! Got this! I suppose we're all set then. All travel documents (passports, visas, invitation, travel itinerary, roundtrip tickets, up to approved office leave forms) are all in our carry-on. Only thing left for us now is to pack clothes. Any must haves for a trip during March/April?

Also, what to do during a long layover say in China?

Thanks again!
 

bellaluna

VIP Member
May 23, 2014
7,405
1,781
Great! Got this! I suppose we're all set then. All travel documents (passports, visas, invitation, travel itinerary, roundtrip tickets, up to approved office leave forms) are all in our carry-on. Only thing left for us now is to pack clothes. Any must haves for a trip during March/April?

Also, what to do during a long layover say in China?

Thanks again!
Which cities in Canada are you going to visit?

Sorry, I haven't been to China, not sure either if you can step out of the airport unless you have transit visas.
 

bellaluna

VIP Member
May 23, 2014
7,405
1,781
We will land and spend three days in Vancouver then will travel to Calgary. Most of our 3 weekswill be spent in Alberta area.
Oh okay, I’ve never been to the West Coast, except connecting at YVR. I could’ve given you tips for Ontario and Québec. :)