Over 2 million Canadians live, work or study abroad. Employees on foreign assignment and business travelers are often unaware of the extensive information and services available to them online through federal government web sites. The sites, although sometimes hard to find, can provide a wealth of information and links for individuals traveling and working internationally.

The main Canadian web site for international travelers and workers is the Consular Affairs site at www.voyage.gc.ca. Available information includes:

• travel reports, travel updates and travel warnings for 225 travel destinations around the world
• entry requirements, including information about visas and passports
• country profiles including maps
• a registration service for Canadian residents abroad so that consular officers can contact them with urgent advice during a natural disaster or civil unrest, or to inform them of a family emergency at home
• a list of government offices abroad, services they provide, and Emergency 24/7 contact information
• a host of links, tips and downloadable publications about traveling, living and working abroad.

This main site is complemented by several other sites that provide specific information of value to global workers and travelers. These include:

• The Passport Office site, which has information on travel documents, and includes downloadable passport application forms as well as travel tips and an extensive FAQ. The address is: www.ppt.gc.ca.
• A site called Travel @ Home & Abroad that includes links for living, working and retiring abroad, as well as links to information about returning to Canada. The address is: www.passages.gc.ca.
• Health Canada’s Travel Medicine Program has travel health advisories, recommendations and current information on common diseases in particular countries or areas, including symptoms and treatment. The address is www.travelhealth.gc.ca.

Similar information is available for United States citizens on the U.S. federal government web site. The key location is the Department of State web site at www.state.gov/travel. This main page has extensive links to most of the important information for citizens traveling or residing in foreign countries.