Advice for Canadians in Florida
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Consular Services
- Check our United States Travel Report for the latest safe-travel information.
- A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s license, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.
- The Consulate General of Canada in Miami can offer you regular and/or emergency passport services under certain circumstances. To avoid unnecessary processing delays, have your passport application pre-screened by consulate staff before sending it to Canada. The pre-screening can occur over the phone, in person, by e-mail or by fax.
- Obtain all required visas or permits if you will be marrying, studying, residing or working in the U.S. For more information on documentation requirements, please refer to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
- A maximum admission period of six months is the norm for Canadian retirees wintering in the U.S. The length of time you are allowed to visit is decided by U.S. officials when you enter the country. Be careful not to overstay your allotted time, as it may lead to complications.
- Be aware that if you break U.S. laws, you are subject to the local judicial system. The U.S. Zero Tolerance Policy imposes severe penalties for the possession of even a small amount of an illegal drug, and many Canadians get into serious trouble for buying, selling, using, or transporting drugs in the U.S.
- Canadians who intend to take a cruise embarking from Florida should consult our fact sheet entitled Cruise Ship Travel Tips.
- The hurricane season in Florida extends from June to late November, when flooding and heavy rain can occur. There may be disruptions in transport, utilities, emergency and medical care, and food, fuel, and water supplies. Visit the National Hurricane Center website for information. Check with your travel agent or tour operator to confirm your travel plans prior to departure.
- Sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad service, so we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home.
Invest in the best travel insurance you can afford to avoid the high cost of trip cancellation, hospitalization, medical evacuation, or another emergency. A single accident or medical evacuation could result in years of debt for you or your family if you are unprepared. Your provincial or territorial health insurance is almost certainly not adequate abroad. It is essential to obtain supplementary travel insurance before leaving Canada.
In an emergency, contact us at:
Consulate General of Canada
200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Suite 1600, Miami, FL 33131 USA
Tel.: 305-579-1600, ext. 3346
Emergency tel.: (weekdays 8:30 - 16:00): 305-579-1600,
ext. 3341
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa (24 hours):
1-888-949-9993
Fax.: 305-374-6774
E-mail: miami-cs@international.gc.ca
