Travel Health Checklist: Preparing to travel outside of Canada
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Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada
Date published: October 18, 2024
Pub.: 240492
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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.