Greetings,
I'm considering visiting my parents in Canada in the next few weeks. I left Canada about 15 years ago, and have not returned since. My home, in every sense - is in Switzerland. Being a dual-citizen (EU country + Canada (albeit long since expired passport), I understand I will need to apply for an emergency permit (if I travel in less than 10 days, without having a valid Canadian passport). My question is, more related to anyone having experiences of being hassled upon visiting 'the motherland' so to speak, after having left so many years earlier. I have my apprehensions about how 'welcoming' Canada is to those of us who've left for greener pastures. As far as I know, I left no issues unresolved when I left 15 years ago - but - who knows. Maybe, an unpaid phonebill, or something else I overlooked 15 years ago, may have grown into something more - that I'm unaware of - that could lead to problems upon arrival. Maybe it's just paranoia. But, I would like to read about any experiences of expats returning for a visit after having left many, many years ago.
Thank you.
Do they require Canadian dual citizens to travel on a Canadian passport? Even when they don’t have one? Why can’t you travel on your European passport?
I also left Canada more than 15 years ago and call Switzerland home. I left as a student and there might have also been an unpaid bill or two, but this never caused me any problems when I returned. You should be fine. Seeing as it's been a long time since you've been there some things might surprise/annoy you:
The number of people who are overweight or obese is shocking You pretty much need a car to get anywhere, people think nothing of wasting hours in a car everyday. It drives me bonkers. Canadian patriotism is cute, but I find it a bit much. Small pet peeve: I find the servers in restaurants insincerely friendly, and a bit in your face. There is a strong tipping culture and the expected percentages are now insane, and it's expected for just about every service. A good waiter might deserve one, but I refuse to tip 30% to an over-the-counter employee who does nothing more than give me a coffee. Things I like:
People really are super friendly and accepting True multiculturalism, and you can find ANY kind of food in any city I find people in general a lot of fun, wayyy more laid back than in CH. I laugh a lot whenever I'm there. I'm not generally a junk food person, but their junk food is wayyy better than in Switzerland. Mmmmm... poutine.
Anyways, I'm sure it will be nice to see your parents, I bet they're chuffed that you're coming to visit. Enjoy your trip!
I suspect the poutine and the obesity are related.
They certainly are in my case!
Hey all,
Thank you for taking the time to followup (especially @BossaNova - for a fun to read response... the first 'surprise' caught me off guard ("number of people overweight...")... did not expect that considering how increasingly 'correct' we're all supposed to behave).
I appreciate your enthusiasm, and very much looking forward to visiting family for the first time a decade and a half.
The tipping bit - seems indeed a bit excessive if around 30% is expected. I still play it on a case to case basis: if the service was great, I'll be happy to tip well. If not... then, tough luck. I see a tip - as a reward, or acknowledgement of something 'extra' (that is what a tip is - something extra). So if I feel the staff was attentive - and just genuine (I get they're tired, they're people - I don't expect them to be robots) but... if they're real, genuine - I'm happy to tip.
Anyway, thank you again for taking the time to followup.
Rule change - since 2016. If you're a dual-citizen Canadian (with the exception of US/Canadian dual), you are not permitted to travel to Canada on any passport, other than your Canadian one. I have my reservations as to why they do this, but... in the interest of not going down that rabbit hole, I'll keep it to myself:now where do I find five emoticons of an eye...
Contact the Canadian Consulate in Geneva or Embassy in Bern and ask them. In the last 15 to 20 years things have changed greatly, I used to travel with my Swiss or Canadian passport interchangeably.
However, I heard some years back that it is required to use your Canadian passport, when you have one. It does not take long to get a new one and it is relatively simple process. indeed, 15 years ago many systems, local and global, were not connected, now there is a lot of tracking.