Canada

Entry and visa

Entry requirements

EU nationals do not need a visa to enter and stay for stays of up to six months for tourism, business or transit purposes.
EU nationals entering or transiting Canada by air must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) prior to travel. This eTA is not required for entry by land or sea.
For stays of more than 6 months without gainful employment, EU nationals must apply for a visitor record upon entry or on site in Canada.
If you are gainfully employed, you must apply for a work permit before entering the country. This also applies if the employer is not in Canada (e.g. the funding is provided by the University of Konstanz).
If you are not an EU citizen, you can check if you need a visa for Canada here.

Entry is possible for travelers who do not require a visa with the following documents:

passport
temporary passport

The travel documents must be valid for at least the duration of your stay.

Electronic entry permit eTA

Applying for the eTA:

Electronic Immigration Authorization must be requested prior to boarding the flight for a fee on the Government of Canada website.

For holiday stays up to 6 months, only the eTA is mandatory.
For self-financed research stays of up to 3 months, only the eTA is mandatory.
For self-financed research stays of up to 6 months, a status as a "business visitor" can be determined upon entry. It is therefore advisable to have a letter of invitation from the university in Canada, a confirmation from the University of Konstanz and also the return flight ticket and, if applicable, proof of income with you.

Please note:

Apply for the eTA as early as possible. Approval is usually given within a few days The.costs for eTA are currently $7 CAD.
Long processing times are to be expected in the event of rejection, and the requirement for further evidence is at the discretion of the Canadian authorities.
Use only the official government website. Non-official websites offer the brokerage of the eTA, charging significantly higher fees, some of which are not recognized by the Canadian authorities.
The application and payment of the fee can only be made for one person at a time. For a family of three, they must complete and submit three separate forms.

Visitor record

You must apply for a visitor record if:

You want to stay in Canada for more than 6 months without working there. Then please let the border officials know when you enter the country. They will then immediately issue you with the visitors record. It is therefore advisable to have a letter of invitation from the university in Canada, a confirmation from the University of Konstanz and also the return flight ticket and, if necessary, proof of income with you.
You are already in Canada on a tourist visa/eTA and decide to extend your stay. Then you must submit an application to the immigration authorities at least 30 days before your entry permit expires.

Work permit

You do not need a work permit if you are coming to Canada as a researcher and:

work at a public research institution
will work 120 or fewer consecutive days.
have not worked in Canada in the last 12 months.
In this case, an electronic (eTA) travel authorization is sufficient to enter Canada.
For more information: temporary-residents/foreign-workers/researcher-exemption

For the completion of internships and research stays with an employment contract (with an employer in Canada but also outside of Canada), a work permit ("work permit") must be obtained online via the Canadian government's website.

Required documents

Proof that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires (return ticket).
Proof that you have enough money to support yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home.
Medical certificate of health if required.

Here you will find all the information you need to apply for a work permit from Germany.

Competent Bodies

The visa and immigration department of the Embassy of Canada in Berlin has been closed.
The Embassy of Canada in Vienna/Austria is responsible for applicants from Germany.
Applications under the German-Canadian Agreement on Youth Mobility (International Experience Canada) can only be submitted online.

Collection of biometric data

Since July 2018, foreigners between the ages of 14 and 79 who want to work, live or study in Canada (Permanent Resident Application, Study Permit, Temporary Resident Permit and Work Permit) must enter biometric data when applying for the corresponding visa. You have to do this in person at a Visa Center (VAC). This biometric data is then stored for 10 years, i.e. within this period you do not have to submit your biometric data again if you are planning further trips.

More information can be found here: biometrics

In Germany there are such VACs in Düsseldorf and Berlin. In order to submit your biometric data, you must first make an appointment at the VAC.

It is only possible to have the biometric data registered if you have previously applied for a visa or a work permit.

You should bring the following documents with you to the appointment:

passport
BIL from the Government of Canada (Request letter for submission of biometric data)
85 CAD$ / approx. 60€ (Fee for the biometric data and CVAC processing fee)

Addresses:

Canada Visa Application Centre
VFS Services Germany GmbH

Neue Grünstrasse 17/18
10179 Berlin

info.canber@vfshelpline.com

Canada Visa Application Centre

Karlstrasse 104

40210 Dusseldorf
info.canger@vfshelpline.com

Money and banking

Paying

The local currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Credit cards are very widely accepted, and cash withdrawals with bank and credit cards are possible in many places at appropriately marked ATMs.

Most providers charge a foreign transaction fee for each use of the credit card in the form of a percentage depending on the amount of money withdrawn. Please also note the withdrawal limit.

More information can be found here.

Inexpensive credit card from the DKB

In order to save very high fees when withdrawing abroad, the low-cost DKB credit card is a good alternative. This means that cash withdrawals are free worldwide and there are low account maintenance fees.

Open an account:

The largest banks in Canada are:

Royal Bank of Canada
Bank of Nova Scotia
Bank of Montréal
TD Canada Trust
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

All of these banks are widespread and have ATMs in most cities.

To open a bank account in Canada you have to go to a branch in person. The following documents are required:

passport
Social Insurance Number in Canada

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) should definitely be applied for beforehand.

Prerequisites for applying for a (temporary) SIN:

Work permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
or Visitor record with work permit

Medical care

Healthcare system

Sanitary and hygienic conditions largely correspond to those in Germany.
The health system in Canada is organized by the state.
Doctor appointments are very difficult to get.
If necessary, contact so-called "walk-in clinics" and in an emergency go directly to the emergency room of a hospital.
However, treatments are expensive and, with the exception of initial measures in the case of life-threatening illnesses, are often only carried out against advance payment or at least direct payment.
The supply of medicines is good.
Non-perishable German special medicines can be brought in the required quantities and upon presentation of the prescription.

If you do not have an employment contract in Canada, we strongly recommend that you take out a travel insurance package (including temporary health and accident insurance, repatriation, etc.) as medical care in Canada is extremely expensive.

If you have an employment contract in Canada, you can benefit from the benefits of the public health system. This is organized differently depending on the province:

Ontario: ontario-health-insurance-plan-ohip
Britisch Columbia: Medical Services Plan (MSP)

Phones and Internet

General information

Please note the general information on telephoning and internet use abroad.

Calls to Germany

If you want to call Germany with your Canadian mobile phone, you must first dial 011 (to call from Canada) and then 49 for Germany and then enter your destination number. All area code zeros are omitted, as this was already dialed for 011.

It is significantly cheaper if you make calls via Skype, Whatsapp or other apps via the Internet.

Emergency numbers

In emergencies, dial 911 (equivalent to 110 in Germany).

The 911 is also an emergency call for medical emergencies and the fire brigade.

Beware of exceptions: 911 is the national emergency number throughout Canada, but not in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Buy a prepaid sim card in Canada

If you only need a SIM card and want to use your own mobile phone with it, you can definitely get the appropriate starter sets from the network operator's branches. You can also buy prepaid cards at electronics stores like Best Buy, The Source, Vision Electronics and Staples. 24-hour convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and Canada Post also offer prepaid cards.

These are the largest mobile operators in the country:

Bell Mobility: Quebec und Ontario
Rogers: Quebec und Ontario
Fido-Microcell: Quebec und Ontario
Telus Mobility: Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta
Virgin Mobile: Ontario
Make sure that your mobile phone is unlocked for the use of third-party SIM cards (usually only after 24 months with contracts).
In addition, not all foreign mobile phones work in North America, since the technology used here is different.
If you have a "quad-band" phone (meaning that the 4 frequency bands around 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz are supported) this should not be a problem.
As a rule, the SIM cards have to be registered before they can be used for the first time, which can be done over the Internet or on site in a specialist shop.
The phone number is only assigned to the SIM after successful registration and communicated via SMS.
The desired tariff can also be selected during registration. With some providers, the selection of tariffs depends on the end device that is used.

Buy a prepaid SIM card in Germany

It is also possible to buy a prepaid SIM card for Canada online in advance.
When ordering, you specify the period or from when you want to use the SIM.
All tariffs are available for telephony and/or data flat rate for surfing.
So that everything works in Canada, you should first make sure that your smartphone does not have a SIM lock and is unlocked for all regions.
The card will be sent to you by post.

Provider

Simly

travsim

Also usable in the USA and Mexico
a German customer service
Card sent by post

eSIM

You can compare eSIM-Tarifs for Canada on Simpackers

Mode of transport and driving license

Mode of Transport

Trains

Almost all major Canadian cities are connected by train.
Canada's national railway company is VIA Rail.

Regional trains

Go Transit is the busiest rail company in southern Ontario. The route network connects the major cities in the greater Toronto area.

Long-distance trains

The train company VIA Rail operates nationwide, you can travel directly from the west coast to the east coast. More information at www.viarail.ca

Buses

The bus network in Canada is very well developed. There are a number of small and large bus companies serving various destinations in Canada and the United States.

Ottawa

Ottawa operates a subway, which is constantly being expanded (O-Train) and several bus lines. Here you will find more information.

Here you can find the right means of transport for your journey.

Toronto

The public transport company in Toronto is named Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), the route network of subway and buses covers the entire city area. Here you will find information about prices and tickets.

Montréal

In Montreal, the public transport company is called the Société de transport de Montréal (STM). The underground network offers 4 routes and has good coverage of the city.

Driving license

Depending on the province, the German driving license can be used for tourist or visiting stays in Canada for up to three or six months. If possible, carry your international driving license with you.
For long-term stays, it may be necessary to convert the German driving license into a Canadian driving license. Please note that not all driving license classes acquired in Germany are recognized by the Canadian authorities. It may be necessary to retake the exams for some driving license classes in Canada.
In Canada, the German Consulates General in Toronto and Vancouver offer to issue a certificate in English.

Ontario

Driving with a German driving license for a stay of up to 3 months.
For stays longer than 3 months, an international driving license is required.
A description is not necessary.

British Columbia

As a tourist you can drive for up to 6 months with your driving license from your home country.
If you have a work permit, you must have the driving license converted within 3 months.
The amount of your car insurance premium is then based on the time in which you have been driving without an accident.
In this case, a certificate from the previous car insurance makes sense.

Quebec

With a valid EU driving license you can drive in Quebec for up to 6 months. An international driving license is required for longer stays. Then the international and the EU driver's license must always be carried.

Rent a car in Canada

Canadian rental car companies often require an international driving license in addition to the normal driving license.
It is often cheaper to rent a car from Germany, as there are special offers from the ADAC.
Otherwise you can compare prices at globalcarrent and find the cheapest provider for rental cars.

Housing

Apartment (suite, flat)

An apartment usually consists of 1 or more bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom and a living room. A bachelor or studio apartment has 1 room for sleeping and eating.
A distinction is made between "highrises" (6-30 floors high, with elevator) and "lowrises" (less than 6 floors high and often without elevator).

Condominium (condo)

A type of home ownership where you buy a unit in an apartment building or townhouse complex but do not own the land. Owners sometimes rent out condos to tenants.

Duplex and Triplex

A house divided into 2 or 3 separate apartments, one on top of the other. The owner of the house can live in one of the apartments. May be a detached house, semi-detached house, or a townhouse.

Renting

Short-term rentals (STRs) refer to rental periods between 30 days and 6 months.

Attention: Most of the apartment offers only come onto the market a month before the start of the rental period.

Apartment Search

Canada in general

Ottawa

apartments/ottawa
corporatestays/ottawa (furnished apartments)
rentals.ca/ottawa
apartments-condos/ottawa/c37l1700185
airbnb.de/s/Ottawa
housinganywhere
ottawa-on-rentals

Montreal

Toronto

General information: toronto.ontariotenants.ca

Childcare and schools

General information

The school system in Canada is a provincial affair
What all schools in Canada have in common is that they are all-day schools and comprehensive schools.
Students can choose between public and fee-paying private schools.
Schooling lasts twelve years and usually begins at the age of five.
The school day is all day from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.
The kindergarten is free and attached to the elementary school.
In most provinces, students transfer to junior high or junior secondary school at Grade 7 or 8.
From the tenth (in British Columbia from the eleventh) grade, they go to the Senior High or Senior Secondary School (usually located in the same building). In Quebec it is called Ecole Polyvalente.
After completing the 12th grade, and after the students have passed the examinations set by the respective province, they receive their high school diploma, the admission to university studies.

No free choice of school

In Canada, there is no free choice of public schools, as each school has its own catchment area.
However, you can apply to be allowed to attend a school outside of your residential area (cross boundary application).
However, many schools with a particularly good reputation have far more outside applicants than they can accommodate.
When you choose you accomodation, it is therefore an important criterion whether there are good schools nearby.
An exception are the private and denominational schools, which can be attended regardless of where you live.
However, private schools often charge very high tuition fees.

Important dates

The school year usually begins in early September (just after Labor Day, the first Monday in September) and is divided into two semesters of five months each.
The second semester starts without a break at the beginning of February and lasts until the end of June.
After that comes the summer vacation.
Additional holidays are approximately 10 days over Christmas and a week in March/April for Spring Break.

Languages

Since Canada is officially bilingual, the non-spoken language is the first foreign language in all provinces.
In predominantly English-speaking areas, parents can also register their children in a French-speaking kindergarten and then send them to a French-speaking or bilingual elementary school or middle school.
In high school, English becomes the mandatory language of instruction for everyone.
Young people who have previously been taught in French, or guest students with a very good knowledge of French, can opt for French immersion at the high school: then the lessons in selected subjects will be held in French.

Grading

Canadian elementary schools have a different grading system than secondary schools. There are grades from 1 to 4+, with 4+ being the highest grade.
In high schools, as in America, grades are assigned according to the letter system. The letters A to F can also be supplemented with a + or -.

School fees

If you are in Canada with an employment contract or an exchange program and have a work permit (work visa), the school fees are usually paid by your local partner.
Otherwise you have to pay the school fees (also for public schools) yourself.
These amount to at least 8,000 up to 14,000 CAD/year for public schools. In private schools, the costs are many times higher.

Degrees

All provinces award their own degrees.
The qualifications in Ontario and Quebec can be recognized in Germany under certain conditions: the Ontario Secondary School Diploma or the Diplôme d'Études Collégiales.
The school leaving certificates of other provinces and territories entitle e.g. B in Germany does not lead to unrestricted access to higher education, so there is a high risk of not being accepted at the desired university.
The information portal on foreign educational qualifications of the Conference of Ministers of Education (KMK) provides up-to-date information on which qualifications you can study at which university in Germany.

Information on individual provinces/cities