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Dempster Highway

Canada

Visa/Entry

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Required documents

  • Passport must be valid until departure +1 day. The national driver's license is not a valid border document.

 

Entry by plane

  • Austrian citizens are allowed to stay in Canada without a visa up to a maximum of 6 months. However, a digital travel authorization must be applied for prior to travel.

  • The "Electronic Travel Authorization" (eTA) must be applied for before departure at www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html and costs 7 CAD. The authorization is valid for 5 years from the date of issue, provided the passport does not expire during this period.

  • The entry permit application is only available in English and French. and a guide explaining each entry field can be found here. More info: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

 

Entry by land and sea

  • No travel authorization is required for entry by land or sea. Air travelers, on the other hand, also require a permit for transit via Canada.

  • Upon entry, the actual length of stay is determined based on an interview by Canadian Immigration (e.g. purpose of travel, financial resources, accommodation, valid passport, etc.) and noted in the passport.

 

Motor Vehicle Documents

Driver's license

The Austrian driver's license is recognized for 3 to max. 6 months depending on the province (see listing). In the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and Prince Edward Island the International Driver's License is mandatory, in addition to the national driver's license.

  • British Columbia: 3 months

  • Manitoba: 3 months

  • New Brunswick: 6 months

  • Newfoundland and Labrador: 3 months

  • Nova Scotia: 3 months

  • Nunavut: 3 months

  • Ontario: 2 months

  • Quebec: 6 months

  • Yukon: 4 months

 

Vehicle Importation

Vehicles registered abroad may be temporarily imported duty and tax free for up to one year. Upon arrival, a Temporary Import Permit is issued by Canadian Customs.

Contrary to information from the Austrian and German Automobile Clubs, no Carnet de Passage is required for entry. Also, no deposit is required upon importation of the vehicle.

International registration certificate (in connection with the national one) is recommended.

If you are not driving your own vehicle, a permit to use the vehicle is required.

 

Car insurance

Motorcycleexpress

  • Closing: Online. 1 to max. 6 months (renewal possible)

  • Area of validity: Canada and USA

  • Coverage is relatively high.

 

Segurogringo

  • Conclusion: Online. 1 to max. 365 days

  • Validity range: Canada (must be selected separately) and USA

  • Coverage is extremely low

 

Be careful with all other insurances from the USA, because they require a US address for the conclusion. The communication is online but, the insurance is likely to be invalid in the case of insurance, because you have made untrue statements in the application.

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Camping

  • Wild camping is generally not a problem, especially in sparsely populated areas. In some areas, however, a permit is required for wild camping.

  • There are many campsites with different levels of equipment.

  • However, caution is advised in all areas due to wild animals such as bears and moose.

 

Road network

  • The road and gas station network in Canada is very well developed. There are also some 24-hour gas stations with attached mini-supermarket.

  • Since especially in sparsely populated areas gas stations are far apart and are not always open, you should take every opportunity to fill up. Carrying extra fuel is only recommended for motorcycles with very low range and selected routes (we had to carry extra fuel with an approximate range of 300 kilometers only on the Labrador and Dempster Highway.

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Sim cards

Cell phone network is well developed in the urban centers. Outside often only very sporadic or not available at all. Some providers operate only locally.

European cell phones work with all Canadian providers.

If you travel a lot in rural areas, it is advisable to take a sattelite messenger/phone with you.

 

Security

Security level is extremely high except in the big cities. Many people here do not even have a front door key or do not remove their car keys at the parking lot.

Caution is mainly needed when dealing with wild animals.

 
WLan

WLan is available throughout the country. However, depending on the region, often extremely slow. Upload of videos and photos may not be possible for days.

Besides hotels, Tim Hortons coffee house chain is the best place for good wifi.

 

Spare parts

Spare parts and repair shops can be found in all major cities or are shipped everywhere in a relatively short time.

 

Cost of living

The cost of living in Canada is significantly higher than in Austria. This is especially true for food and things for daily life.

 

Miscellaneous

Payment by credit card is possible everywhere.

"Tourist Informations" are especially in the north not only a place to get current information but sometimes there is also fresh coffee or a free shower and WLan.

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