Getting your travel documents well in advance of your travel dates is important. If you require a visa, the application process could be lengthy. In some countries, it can take many months. We strongly suggest you begin as soon as possible.
Who Requires a Visa?
Since June 2009, Americans do need a passport to enter Canada by air. The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate (original, photocopy or certified copy), consular report of birth abroad or naturalization certificate.
People from many countries do not need a visa to visit Canada. Citizens of most European countries, Commonwealth countries, and former British colonies, as well as certain other countries, do not need visas, but must carry passports. These countries include:
Citizens of Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brunei, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel (national passport holders only), Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Latvia (Republic of), Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Slovenia, Switzerland, United States and Western Samoa.
British citizens and British overseas citizens who are re-admissible to the United Kingdom.
If your country is not listed, you most likely require a visa to enter Canada. A list of countries that do need a visa to enter Canada can be found at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp.
Applying for a Visa
You must apply for and receive your visa from the Canadian embassy, high commission, or consulate in your home country. You may not apply for a visa upon arrival in Canada.
In some cases, attendees may require a letter of invitation from World Council of Credit Unions to facilitate the processing of the visa. To request a letter of invitation, please do the following:
Email or fax the completed form to Allison McCarty, conference specialist, at amccarty@woccu.org or +1-608-395-2001.
Letters of Invitation will only be issued once the above documentation, conference registration and payment have been received. Issuance of a visa letter is subject to review by World Council. Incomplete or unsubstantiated requests may not be processed. All letters will be emailed as a PDF, no exceptions. Visa letters will be emailed within 3–5 business days after receipt of the completed form and after registration and full payments have been processed.
Denied a Visa?
If you were denied a visa to enter Canada, you should ask your embassy or consulate what the appeal process is and how long it will take.
If you have paid your conference registration fees and are not able to obtain a visa, you will need to contact Allison McCarty at amccarty@woccu.org immediately about a possible registration refund. Visa denial does not guarantee a refund of any conference fees and each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Traveling with Children
If entering Canada with children under age 18, it is highly important that you ensure you have all the proper documents before leaving home. In many cases, children under age 18 will be required to have a passport to enter Canada. If children are traveling without their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), additional paperwork, such as a birth certificate copy and/or notarized letter from parent, may be required.
Please contact your local embassy or consulate to get requirements or additional information.
