Travel Health Checklist: Preparing to travel outside of Canada

On this page

• Research your destination
• Health care
• Items to pack
• Emergency contacts
• Planning your travel abroad

Research your destination

• Check the health, safety and security risks for your destination(s) on the page for travel advice and advisories by destination.
• Make a list of healthcare facilities or providers at your destination(s), in case you need their services while you're there.

Health care

• Visit a healthcare provider or travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before travel.
• Make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date.
• Ask about recommended travel vaccinations or medications specific to your destination(s).
• Check that any medication you take with you is legal in your destination(s) and that you have enough to last beyond your intended stay, in case of delays.
• Keep all medications in their original, labelled containers.
• Purchase travel health insurance, if you don't already have it.
• Make sure you choose insurance that covers your needs and read the fine print.
• Get more information on trip interruption and travel health insurance.

Items to pack

• Light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester for protection from insects and the sun, if required.
• Approved insect repellent.
• Sunscreen to protect against UV rays.
• A travel health kit with basic first aid supplies, medications and an emergency contact card.

Emergency contacts

• Carry the contact information for the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate in your destination country and for the Global Affairs Canada 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre.
• Get more information on assistance outside Canada.
• Sign up for Government of Canada's free Registration of Canadians Abroad service.
• This allows the Government of Canada to notify you in case of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home.

Planning your travel abroad

• Visit the travel and tourism page.
• Visit a health care provider.
• Purchase travel health insurance.
• Pack a travel health kit.