serbia canada travel advisory

Language selection

Canada and serbia.

Services for Canadians if you're visiting, studying, working or doing business in Serbia. Includes information about coming to Canada.

Travel advice and advisories - Serbia

Exercise normal security precautions

Travel advice, passport and entry requirements, health and safety information, and more.

Services and information

Coming to canada.

Apply to immigrate. Get a visa to study, work or visit Canada.

Travelling outside of Canada

Travel advice for how to stay safe and returning to Canada.

Living abroad

Everything you need to know to prepare to leave Canada to live in a foreign country.

Canada-Serbia relations

Canada’s diplomatic, economic or cultural relationship with Serbia.

Doing business in Serbia

Business opportunities, market and sector advantages and other insights.

Most requested

• Authentication of documents
• Registration of Canadians Abroad

Find a Government of Canada embassy, high commission or consulate

• Canada and Serbia news (Canada news)
• Canada and Serbia news (Local statements)

X (Twitter)

• Canada in Serbia
• Canada Serbia
• Embassy of Canada to Serbia

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Share this page:

Learn about your destination

Take 90 seconds for safer travel.

Travel Advisory Levels

Enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Getting help

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Serbia

All emergencies: 112

Ambulance: 194

Police: 192

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans , including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers , funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Serbia.
• dealing with a death in Serbia
• being arrested in Serbia
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis , such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Help abroad in an emergency

If you are abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission .

You can also contact FCDO online .

FCDO in London

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

Find out about call charges .

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

Travel Advice for Serbia

Going to Serbia and need to know about the latest government travel advice for Serbia? Find the updated travel advice and travel warnings for Serbia from governments around the world, here.

General Travel Advice and Warnings for Serbia

The decision to go to Serbia is your decision and you are responsible for your individual health and safety whilst in Serbia.

The material on this page is provided for information only and pulled together from travel advice and warnings for Serbia by authorities around the world to their citizens.

While we strive to provide you latest travel advice details, it is provided on an “as is” basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied.

This operators of this site does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information offered.

Standard Cautions You Need to Keep in Mind When Travelling in Serbia

Crime – Petty crimes such as pick pocketing in a congested surrounding to sexual assault and muggings do take place in bigger cities of Serbia. Make sure that all your personal belongings, including passports and other travel documents, are safe at all times.

Terrorism – Constantly be aware of your surroundings when in public locations. Be particularly alert if attending sporting events and throughout religious holidays and other public celebrations, as terrorists often make use of such celebrations to mount attacks.

Demonstrations and Protests – Demonstrations might occur. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent any time. They can also result in disruptions to traffic and public transport. It is in your interest of safety to avoid areas where demonstrations and huge gatherings are taking place and adhere to the guidelines of local authorities. Monitor local media in Serbia for details on ongoing protests in Serbia.

Scams – Take care in crowded tourist areas in Serbia, where scammers target foreigners. If you have actually been scammed in Serbia, get to a safe area right away; make note, as soon as possible of the name and address of the facility where you were held; inform the authorities in Serbia and obtain a report and if your credit card is used by the scammer call your credit card provider to report the fraud; they will likely request a copy of the police report to cancel the financial transaction.

Spiked Food and Drinks – Never leave food or beverages unattended or in the care of complete strangers whilst travelling in Serbia or anywhere else. Be wary of accepting snacks, drinks, chewing gum or cigarettes from unknown acquaintances. These items may contain drugs that can put you in danger of sexual assault and mugging.

What is the entry/exit conditions for Serbia?

Every nation or territory decides who can get in or exit through its borders, likewise Serbia decides who enter its territories. The Government of your home country cannot step in on your behalf if you do not fulfill your Serbia’s entry or exit requirements.

To learn more about the entry/exit requirement for Serbia see visa requirements for Serbia or obtain the latest details with the visa office at the Serb consulate in your home country.

Travel insurance for Serbia

Health cover is just one of the major reasons visitors obtain travel insurance. It will not avoid you getting sick or hurt, though it can stop you being affected financially. Medical assistance overseas can be extremely expensive.

You have to pay for all healthcare you receive overseas. You can not expect to get free or subsidised treatment through your Serbia’s public health system, like you would in your home country.

If you can’t pay, local authorities can detain you. The government from your home country can’t pay you medical costs for you, loan you cash or get you out of jail.

You need travel insurance coverage for travelling to Serbia . You also need to make sure you pick a policy that is right for you.

Read the small print of your travel insurance policy.

Declare all pre-existing conditions to your travel insurance provider upfront. If you don’t, you may invalidate your travel insurance coverage.

Tell your travel insurance company the activities you plan to do, before you go. Many common activities like snowboarding are omitted in basic plans. You might need to pay additional.

Check if you have free credit card travel insurance policy. Some cards include travel insurance cover. However, they typically have different conditions than paid plans. Understand the differences.

If you’re travelling to Serbia from a country that has a reciprocatory health care arrangement, you still need travel health insurance. Agreements are restricted in what they’ll will cover.

If you have a terminal health problem, you may not have the ability to get basic travel insurance policy. Nonetheless you might have the ability to get a specialised insurer that covers you for health, mishaps or property problems unconnected to your disease. Speak to your insurer to find out.

Discover more about obtaining worldwide travel insurance policy for Serbia before you go.

© 2021 Government Travel Advice

• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy

Last verified: Tuesday, 16. April 2024 at 08:26 AM

Serbia Travel Advisory

• Southern Europe
• Serbia Travel Advice

We advise caution when travelling to Serbia

Local situation: 3.4 / 5.

We advise caution when travelling to Serbia. We detected travel advisories from 5 sources for this specific country.

Regional Situation: 3.1 / 5

Serbia shares a land border with 8 neighbouring states. For this region of countries (including Serbia), the Advisory Index is 3.1 (average value over all countries). All countries have some reported advisories: Albania (3.6), Bosnia and Herzegovina (3.5), Montenegro (3.2), Romania (3.2), Bulgaria (2.8), Croatia (2.8), Hungary with 2.8 and Macedonia with 2.3 (of 5).

Current informationen on Covid-19 in Serbia

There are currently no officially reported cases of infections with SARS-CoV-2 (or Coronavirus) in Serbia. As reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control this morning (~8:30am CET).

There are currently no officially reported deaths related to this disease in Serbia.

Source: www.ecdc.europa.eu

Advice scoring history for Serbia

Chart of the risk level over that last 200 days. This is the daily calculated travel risk for Serbia.

Chart of the number of sources over that last 200 days. This is the daily number of advisory sources (of any rating) that have been active on that day.

Note: Changes happening on the 28th/29th of July 2019 are related to a change in the software and number of sources processed.

Rating Details (single travel warnings)

These are the individual advisories published by other countries about the destination Serbia from a travellers perspective. The scoring of all messages combined is the foundation for the current rating 3.4 out of 5.0 .

This is the general advisory usually covering the country as a whole.

Advisory issued by: Canada

Source: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/serbia

Advisory issued by: New Zealand

Exercise increased caution in Serbia (level 2 of 4).

Source: https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/serbia

Advisory issued by: Finland

Iaktta normal försiktighet -

Source: https://um.fi/resemeddelande/-/c/RS

Individual rating changes for Serbia

This is the recent history of individual changes of travel advices that affected the total asessment of Serbia. Most recent events first.

Changes from July 2nd 2020

The total rating for Serbia changed from 3.8 to 4.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The Austrian government issued a new warning for Serbia with a rating of 5.0.

Changes from March 23rd 2020

The total rating for Serbia changed from 3.8 to 3.8 . Here are the influencing details:

The Canadian government issued a new warning for Serbia with a rating of 4.0.

Changes from March 18th 2020

The total rating for Serbia changed from 2.8 to 3.8 . Here are the influencing details:

The Australian government increased their existing warning for Serbia to 5.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 4.0 (by +1.0).

The Irish government increased their existing warning for Serbia to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 1.0 (by +3.0).

Changes from March 15th 2020

The total rating for Serbia changed from 2.3 to 2.8 . Here are the influencing details:

The Australian government issued a new warning for Serbia with a rating of 4.0.

Changes from March 14th 2020

The total rating for Serbia changed from 2.0 to 2.3 . Here are the influencing details:

The Danish government increased their existing warning for Serbia to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 3.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from March 9th 2020

The total rating for Serbia changed from 1.7 to 2.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The Danish government increased their existing warning for Serbia to 3.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 2.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from September 25th 2019

The total rating for Serbia changed from 0.0 to 0.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The Irish government issued a new warning for Serbia with a rating of 1.0.

The Finnish government issued a new warning for Serbia with a rating of 2.0.

The Danish government issued a new warning for Serbia with a rating of 2.0.

About Serbia

Serbia with its capital Belgrade is a country in Europe (Southern Europe), (88,361 km²). The country is located . With a population of about 10.16 million citizens.

Introduction Video

Basic Statistics and Facts

Environmental problems and natural hazzards.

These are problems Serbia is facing. Environmental issues refer to damages of the nature due to industry and society. Natural hazzards refer to potential dangers originating in nature.

Environmental problems

• air pollution around Belgrade and other industrial cities
• water pollution from industrial wastes dumped into the Sava which flows into the Danube

Natural hazzards

• destructive earthquakes

Top Industries and Agricultural Products

These are the main product industries and agricultural products of Serbia. This list indicates what this country is good at producing.

• automobiles
• base metals
• food processing
• pharmaceuticals

Agriculture products

• dairy products
• meat products

Imports and Exports

These are the main product categories of imports and exports to and from Serbia.

Export products

• electric appliances
• metal products
• nonferrous metals

Import products

• live animals
• manufactured goods
• raw materials
• transport equipment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current travel advisory for serbia.

Serbia is currently rated at 3,4 out of a possible 5.0. Collected from 5 official sources. We advise caution when travelling to Serbia.

Is it safe to travel Serbia in 2024?

Visiting the country Serbia is usually fine. The score is at 3,4 Just keep an eye open, obey local rules and you'll most likely be fine.

How many travel advisories do you know for Serbia?

We currently evaluate 11 official sources each morning. Today, we know of active advisories from 5 individual sources for Serbia.

What is the current Corona virus situation in Serbia?

There are currently no officially reported cases of infections with SARS-CoV-2 (or Coronavirus) in Serbia. As reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control this morning (~8:30am CET). There are currently no officially reported deaths related to this disease in Serbia.

What is the size of Serbia?

Serbia has a size of 88,361 km² or 34,116 mi² .

Common Frequently Asked Questions

For non-country specific questions, please check our global F.A.Q.

Travel safety map for Serbia and bordering countries.

If you want to embed Serbia travel warning information into your website or application, check out these tools.

• Is Serbia safe to travel?
• What's the safety situation in Serbia?
• Are there security warnings for Serbia?

2020-03-10: Integrated data from European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (COVID-19/ SARS-CoV-2/ Coronavirus).

2019-09-01: Added timeline charts for risk level and number of advisories.

2019-07-29: Added two more sources (Finland and Denmark). Affects country ratings.

2019-07-15: South-Sudan was missing and was added today.

2019-05-18: Performance improvements for API users.

2019-03-23: Introduced professional API with more data.

2019-02-13: Added three more sources (Cyprus, Ireland and Malta). Affects country ratings.

8 tips for Canadians travelling to Mexico in 2024, from entry rules to tipping etiquette

P lanning a trip to Mexico? Whether you want to explore Mayan ruins and hidden cenotes or lounge on white-sand beaches at an a ll-inclusive resort , there are certain things you'll want to keep in mind before embarking on your trip.

Canadians booking a vacation in Mexico will want to be aware of the country's entry and exit requirements, what travel documents they'll need and the current travel advice from the Government of Canada .

To help, we've laid out a few essentials you'll want to keep in mind, whether you're jetting off to Cancun, Mazatlan, Tulum or Mexico City.

From the ideal times to visit, to regions to avoid and requirements for your Canadian passport, here are eight tips for preparing for your next Mexican holiday.

Know when to visit

www.instagram.com

Details: Before booking that trip to Mexico, you'll want to make sure you're going at a time with good weather.

However, the best time to visit varies depending on where in the country you're visiting. According to the U.S. News & World Report, if you're travelling to Cancun , the best time to visit would be from December to April, when you'll get to enjoy "near-perfect weather."

If you're visiting Mexico City , the best time to visit is between March and May, as the city's winters can be chilly and the summers can be rainy.

According to the Government of Canada, hurricanes usually occur in Mexico from mid-May to the end of November, so keep this in mind when booking your trip.

To figure out when to go, you can use a travel platform like KAYAK's Best Time To Travel Tool , which uses your origin, destination and length of trip to determine when you should travel and when to book for a great price.

Find out more

Know the entry requirements

Details: Canadians can visit Mexico as a tourist for up to 180 days, or six months, without needing a visa. An immigration official will determine the number of days you can remain in Mexico.

Travellers must have a valid passport that will be valid for the expected duration of their stay in the country. They must also obtain and complete a tourist card to enter the country.

According to the Government of Canada, if entering Mexico by air, you are advised to download your tourist card issued by Mexican officials upon entry.

Depending on your airport of entry, the immigration official will stamp your passport and note the number of days you are allowed to spend in Mexico, or you'll go through an E-gate kiosk where you will scan your passport and self-register your entry into the country.

Once in the country, whether you entered via an E-gate or not, you will be able to access the digital tourist card online. You'll have 60 days to download it.

According to the government, travellers who don’t obtain a tourist card upon arrival may face a fine, detention or even expulsion.

Take note of Canada's travel advice

Details: The Government of Canada continues to advise that Canadians exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico due to high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping.

"Levels of crime, particularly violent crime, are high throughout Mexico. Arrest and detention rates are low and don’t deter criminal activity," says Canada's travel advisory for Mexico.

"There are high rates of violent crime, such as homicides, kidnappings, carjacking and assaults, including in popular tourist destinations such as the Mayan Riviera (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Tulum), and Acapulco."

The government advises that travellers remain vigilant at all times while in the country, stay in tourist areas, be very cautious on major highways, avoid travelling at night and monitor local media closely.

Avoid drinking the tap water

Details: You may want to avoid the tap water while in Mexico.

According to Yale University's Environmental Performance Index , which scores countries based on how safe their drinking water is, Mexico's drinking water isn't as safe as that of other countries.

The index measures unsafe drinking water using the number of age-standardized disability-adjusted life-years lost per 100,000 persons in a country (also known as the DALY rate) due to exposure to unsafe drinking water.

A score of 100 indicates a country has among the lowest DALY rates in the world, while a score of 0 indicates a country is among the highest. In its most recent index , Mexico received a DALY score of 50.

The U.S. Government advises citizens that in many areas in Mexico, tap water is "not potable."

"Bottled water and beverages are safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks might be made using tap water," says the government.

The Government of Canada also advises travellers to avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing or showering.

CAA Quebec recommends that travellers purchase bottled purified water to drink and brush their teeth with instead of using tap water.

Know the currency rules

Details: The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican peso. According to the Government of Canada, in some parts of Mexico, particularly tourist destinations, hotels and other service providers may advertise prices in USD.

Sunwing recommends that travellers bring USD as it is widely accepted around the island.

If you plan to bring USD, be aware that there is a limit to the amount of U.S. dollars that residents and foreigners can exchange in Mexico, depending on their immigration status.

According to the Government of Canada, when carrying more than US$10,000 or the equivalent in other currencies, cash, cheques, money orders or any other monetary instrument, you must declare the amount exceeding US$10,000.

Failure to do this is against Mexican law and often results in detention.

Know when to tip

Details: As in Canada, tipping is expected in most parts of Mexico.

According to group travel company Intrepid Travel , which operates tours to Mexico, Mexican service workers typically earn a low wage and rely on tips to earn a decent living.

The company recommends travellers leave 10 to 15 percent at restaurants (if the service charge is not already included), 5 to 10 percent of the hotel room cost for housekeepers, and a few dollars for porters, bartenders and guides.

According to Skyscanner , it's always best to tip in cash, using Mexican pesos rather than any foreign currency.

The company notes that while some all-inclusive resorts in Mexico have no-tipping policies, if an employee has excelled in their performance, a tip is a nice way to show your appreciation.

Taxi drivers and airport shuttle operations in Mexico will not expect a tip, according to the travel company. However, if your driver helps you with your luggage or the shuttle operator helps with your bags, it is courteous to tip around 10 pesos.

Avoid certain areas

Details: Canadians travelling to Mexico will want to take note of warnings to avoid certain parts of the country.

The Government of Canada continues to advise Canadians to avoid all travel to Guerrero State due to the region's precarious security situation.

The state is home to the Mexican city of Acapulco, a popular vacation spot.

According to the advisory, there is a threat of armed violence, banditry, and looting in cities and on roads in the state. The advisory excludes, however, the cities of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and Taxco, where travellers should "exercise a high degree of caution."

There are also regional advisories in place warning Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to several Mexican states due to high levels of violence and organized crime, including Chihuahua, Colima, Coahuila, Durango, Michoacán, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.

The Government of Canada also advises Canadians to avoid border areas, which often see higher criminal activity and violence, such as shootouts, attacks and illegal roadblocks.

The government recommends travelling to Mexico by air to avoid international land border crossings, particularly along the border with the U.S., in Ciudad Juárez, Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa.

Pay the tourism tax

Details: If travelling to the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico (including popular destinations like Cancun, Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum), travellers will have to pay a tourist tax known as VisiTAX.

The payment of the VisiTAX is a legal requirement to leave the State of Quintana Roo, and is not included in the price of the plane tickets or any other service such as hotel reservations, vacation packages, ground transportation, or tours, according to Cancun Airport .

The tax costs US$20.99 (about CA$28.40) per person, and is to be paid online. Travellers can pay this fee prior to their arrival or during their stay, and must show their receipt at the airport before leaving Mexico.

According to Cancun Airport, your payment and your VisiTAX code will be synchronized with your travel documents for an easy transition through the airport checkpoints.

Payment can only be made online via the VisiTAX website , according to Air Transat .

Bon voyage!

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

• Your Profile
• Your Subscriptions
• Your Business
• Support Local News
• Payment History
• Sign up for Daily Headlines
• Sign up for Notifications

Is it safe to visit Mexico? What Canadians must know about the updated 2024 travel advisory

• Share by Email
• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share via Text Message

It might be the third-most-visited destination for Canadians after the United States, but Mexico isn't considered a low-risk country for travellers. 

The Canadian government continues to advise tourists to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting Mexico, highlighting the country's "high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping." 

In November 2023, the United Nations stated that over 100,000 people are  currently missing in Mexico , characterizing the mass disappearances as "alarming," according to Reuters.

In December 2023, the Mexican government released the findings of their Disappeared Persons Search Strategy, revealing the scope of missing people in the country. However, the document "ambiguously" categorized roughly 80,000 individuals "due to the lack of sufficient data ," said Amnesty International. 

Other violent crimes, including armed burglaries and physical and sexual assault, are common in many places. Many robberies happen at airports, currency exchange bureaus, or ATMs.

Petty theft, including purse and bag snatching, is also common, particularly in popular tourist areas or during crowded festivals or protests.

Updated Mexico travel advisory for Canada in 2024

Canadian travellers do not require a visa to visit Mexico but their passport must be valid for their stay in the country. It is always a good idea to ensure your passport is valid for six months after you return home from travel. If you become ill or injured while in your destination, you may not be able to travel home. Having a buffer for your travel document before it expires ensures you won't have trouble coming home. 

In 2022, Canada and its neighbours south of the border issued updated  advisories for parts of Mexico  due to violent crime, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery. 

There continue to be high rates of these types of crime in popular tourist destinations such as the Mayan Riviera (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, and Tulum), and Acapulco. Criminal groups and drug cartels are also present in tourist areas and bystanders can get caught in crossfire.

Disputes between taxi and ridesharing application drivers may occur in these popular tourist destinations. Drivers generally don't target tourists but you "be caught up in these incidents and harassed or injured."

In Mexico City, government-authorized taxis have licence plates starting with “A” or “B." Other taxis at stands will have their company's logo and the plate number stamped on the side of the car. Official taxis in Mexico City are pink and white. Users can validate the pink and white taxis on the CDMX app.

Buses are relatively safe in the capital city but you should use VIP or executive class transportation when travelling to other cities.

Avoid all travel to the Guerrero State 

Canada continues to advise against any travel to the Guerrero State due to the aftermath of  Hurricane Otis . The area has grappled with increased criminal and gang activity following the natural disaster. 

The cities of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and Taxco are excluded from the advisory. 

Avoid non-essential travel to these areas in Mexico

The Canadian government warns against non-essential travel to the following areas due to high levels of violence of violence and organized crime

• all Chihuahua
• all Colima, except the city of Manzanillo
• all Coahuila, except the southern part of the state at and below the Saltillo-Torreón highway corridor
• all Durango, except Durango City
• Highway 45 between León and Irapuato
• the area south of and including Highway 45D between Irapuato and Celaya
• all Michoacán, except the cities of Morelia and Patzcuaro
• the Lagunas de Zempoala National Park
• the municipality of Xoxocotla
• the area within 20 km of the border with Sinaloa and Durango
• the city of Tepic
• all Nuevo León, except the city of Monterrey
• all Sinaloa, except the cities of Los Mochis and Mazatlán
• all Sonora, except the cities of Hermosillo and Guaymas/San Carlos and Puerto Peñasco
• all Tamaulipas
• all Zacatecas

What happens if you are caught committing a crime in Mexico?

If you are caught committing a crime, even a "minor" one such as smoking outside a public building or public urination, you could be detained. 

Penalties for breaking the law in Mexico can be more severe than in Canada. Travellers can be held in pre-trial detention for 72 hours before a trial.

Paying a fine may secure an early release from detention but is not guaranteed.

Smoking is prohibited in all public places except for clearly marked designated smoking areas. Some places tourists can no longer smoke include beaches, parks, hotels, and restaurants. If you are caught  smoking in public,  you may be fined.

What to do if you need help while you are in Mexico 

In case of an emergency in Mexico, dial 911. 

Contact roadside assistance if you run into an issue on a highway. The Angeles Verdes is a highway patrol service that provides free assistance on all major toll highways from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. 

To contact the Angeles Verdes,  download their App  on your mobile device. In an emergency, dial 078 or 800 006 8839 (toll-free in Mexico) to reach them.

Canadians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact Global Affairs Canada's Emergency Watch and Response Centre by calling 001-800-514-0129 (toll-free from Mexico only), +1 613 996 8885, by text message at +1 613-686-3658, via WhatsApp at +1 613-909-8881, via Telegram at Canada Emergency Abroad or by  e-mail . 

Visit a  travel medical clinic  before you book a ticket from Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The healthcare professionals will inform you about what vaccinations you require and what you can expect on your trip. There are risks of contracting several viruses spread by mosquitoes including dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.

Travellers should always check the latest government advisory before booking a ticket from Vancouver to Mexico. They should also purchase a  comprehensive travel insurance policy  when they book their ticket, which will cover the cost of your ticket in case you can't leave due to an unforeseeable medical or other emergency reason. It will also cover incidents such as missed connections, baggage interruption and loss, and more. 

Canadians should always register trips they take  online  before they leave so that the government can contact them in an emergency.

Find more information about exciting destinations in B.C. and across the globe, as well as travel deals and tips, by signing up for  V.I.A.'s weekly travel newsletter The Wanderer . Since travel deals can sell out, find out the day they are posted by signing up for our  daily Travel Deals newsletter.

Want to learn more about a specific destination or have a travel concern or idea you would like V.I.A. to write about? Email us at elana@vancouverisawesome. Send us stories about recent holidays that you've been on, or if you have any tips you think our readers should know about. 

• Oldest Newest

This has been shared 0 times

Featured Flyer

• Skip to main content
• Skip to "About this site"

Language selection

Search travel.gc.ca.

Help us to improve our website. Take our survey !

COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

North Macedonia travel advice

Latest updates: The Need help? section was updated.

Last updated: April 3, 2024 13:33 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, north macedonia - take normal security precautions.

Take normal security precautions in North Macedonia

Back to top

Petty crime

Crimes of opportunity and petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occur. Foreigners could be targeted.

Thieves work alone or in groups and may use various techniques to distract you and steal your belongings. Groups of street children sometimes gather around their victim to ask for money while one of them pickpockets them.

Thieves are particularly active in Skopje’s downtown pedestrian zone, and in other crowded public areas such as:

• public transportation hubs and facilities, including Skopje International Airport
• hotel lobbies
• restaurants, patios and outdoor cafés
• tourist sites and attractions

While you’re in North Macedonia:

• ensure that your belongings, including your passport, are secure at all times
• don’t keep your passport and other types of ID in the same place and carry a photocopy rather than the original
• avoid showing signs of affluence or wearing expensive jewellery
• avoid carrying large sums of cash or unnecessary valuables
• avoid deserted streets at night
• pay attention to your surroundings, particularly in crowded and tourist areas and when withdrawing cash from ATM

Residential break-ins

Residential break-ins may occur, especially in main cities. Burglars sometimes target houses or apartments owned or rented by foreigners.

• Choose well-secured accommodation
• Make sure you lock doors and windows at night and when you’re away

Car theft, break-ins and carjacking occur. Rental and luxury vehicles are a target of choice.

• Familiarize yourself with your route before starting a trip
• Keep your windows and doors locked at all times
• Keep your belongings out of reach
• Use secure parking facilities, especially overnight
• Never leave belongings unattended in a vehicle, even in the trunk

Violent crime

Organized crime-related violence occurs. The use of firearms is common.

While violent incidents don’t typically target foreigners or tourists, there is a risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Although rare, inter-ethnic violence may take place in certain areas of the country.

Smuggling and other criminal activities may also occur, particularly in the areas bordering Kosovo and Albania.

Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. When using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when others are handling your cards
• use ATMs located in public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Cybercrime occurs. Perpetrators may compromise public Wi-Fi networks to steal credit card or personal information.

• Avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks
• Avoid making purchases on unencrypted websites
• Use sound judgement when posting information on social media
• Be particularly vigilant when contacting or meeting individuals known over the Internet
• Never click a suspicious link in an email or text message asking for your credit card details

Overseas fraud

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time.

Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Be particularly vigilant during:

• sporting events
• religious holidays
• public celebrations
• major political events, such as elections

Terrorists may use such occasions to mount attacks.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations take place frequently. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Celebratory gunfire

Firing weapons to celebrate is common in North Macedonia. It sometimes coincides with fireworks displays and may take place:

• on weddings
• on certain holidays and days of national observance
• following electionsafter soccer matches and sporting events

Injuries and cases of death due to stray bullets do occur. Avoid areas where celebratory fire is taking place.

Bomb threats

There have been a number of bomb threats emailed to locations in North Macedonia since late 2022, notably to locations in Skopje. Local law enforcement responded to each bomb threat and all have been false alarms.

Bomb threats and hoaxes can target any location, including, but not limited to:

• shopping malls
• transportation hubs
• government facilities
• public spaces

If you are in an area affected by a bomb threat, follow the instructions of local authorities and evacuate calmly.

Mountain activities

Mountain activities, such as hiking, can be dangerous, especially if they are not well-organized. Trails are not always marked and weather conditions can change rapidly, even in summer.

If you intend to go hiking or climbing:

• never do so alone
• consider hiring an experienced guide from a reputable company
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• ensure that you’re properly equipped
• stay informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary
• obtain detailed information on trekking routes before setting out
• avoid venturing off marked trails

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety can vary greatly throughout the country.

Secondary roads are poorly maintained and lack adequate lighting. In mountainous areas, most roads lack guard rails and are unpaved. Ice and snow make driving hazardous in winter. Farm equipment and stray animals pose additional risks.

Drivers don’t respect traffic laws. They may be reckless.

Exercise caution when travelling by road, especially after dark.

Public transportation

Public transportation in Skopje is reliable. Train and bus services connect the capital with the main cities of the country.

Taxis are widely available and reliable.

• Use only officially marked taxis
• Negotiate fares in advance, or insist that the driver use the meter, as you may be overcharged

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the North Macedonian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you expect to leave from North Macedonia.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days Business visa: not required for stays up to 90 days Student visa: not required for stays up to 90 days

If you want to stay longer than 90 days but did not apply for a visa prior to arriving in North Macedonia, you must leave the country and apply for the appropriate visa at a North Macedonian embassy or consulate.

If you stay beyond the permitted number of days, you could face heavy fines or be denied entry when returning to North Macedonia.

Mandatory registration

You must register your presence within 24 hours of arrival in North Macedonia. Commercial accommodations will generally file the registration on your behalf.

If you’re staying in a non-commercial accommodation, you must register at the nearest police station.

You may face fines and difficulties upon departure if you fail to do so.

Dual citizenship

If you hold North Macedonian citizenship and plan to stay outside of North Macedonia for longer than 3 months, you must register with the closest Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia.

You may face difficulties when re-entering North Macedonia if you fail to do so.

Foreign Representatives in Canada

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

In this destination, rabies  may be present in some wildlife species, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. 

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who will be working directly with wildlife. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Good health care is limited in availability. Most medical facilities are poorly equipped, and specialized treatment may not be available. Immediate cash payment is usually required for medical services.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Medications

Shortages of medications are common. If you take prescription drugs, make sure you have an adequate supply for the duration of your stay in North Macedonia. You should also bring basic medicine, particularly if travelling to outlying areas.

If you bring medications with you, you’re responsible for determining their legality in North Macedonia.

• Bring sufficient quantities of your medication with you
• Always keep your medication in the original container
• Pack them in your carry-on luggage
• Carry a copy of your prescriptions

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Canada and North Macedonia are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in North Macedonia to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and North Macedonia authorities.

This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect prison sentences or heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Identification

Authorities may request to see your ID at any time.

• Carry valid identification or a photocopy of it at all times
• Keep a photocopy of your passport in case it’s lost or seized
• Keep a digital copy of your ID and travel documents

Photography

There are restrictions on photographing:

• military or police installations or personnel
• border crossings
• government buildings

Signs advising of the restrictions may be posted in sensitive areas.

• Refrain from photographing military installations or personnel even if no signs are posted
• Comply with all requests from local authorities

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

North Macedonian law does not criminalize sexual acts or relationships between persons of the same sex.

However, 2SLGBTQI+ travellers could be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in North Macedonia.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of North Macedonia, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and North Macedonia.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in North Macedonia, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the North Macedonian court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in North Macedonia to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Cultural heritage and antiquities

There are strict laws regarding the purchase and exportation of antiquities and objects of special significance to the country's cultural heritage.

To avoid any difficulties:

• verify with the Cultural Heritage Protection Office and the customs administration if items are subject to particular restrictions and requirements
• make sure you obtain and carry the required legal paperwork to purchase or export such items
• Contact information - Cultural Heritage Protection Office
• Objects of historical and cultural worth - North Macedonian Customs Administration

You must carry an international driving permit.

All vehicles must use daytime running lights.

Penalties for drinking and driving are severe. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines or jail.

Police routinely stop vehicles for inspection.

In the event of an accident:

• call the police immediately
• don’t move the vehicle until the police have allowed you to do so

International Driving Permit

The currency of North Macedonia is the Macedonian denar (MKD).

The economy is mostly cash-based. However, credit cards are accepted in some larger establishments. ATMs are available in urban centres.

You must make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if you have the equivalent of €10,000 or more, regardless of the currencies. This includes sums in:

• money orders
• traveller’s cheques
• any other convertible assets

Seismic activity

North Macedonia is located in an active seismic zone. Even minor earthquakes can cause damage.

Earthquakes - What to Do?

Forest fires are common during the summer. The air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke.

In case of a significant fire:

• stay away from affected areas, particularly if you suffer from respiratory ailments
• monitor local media for up-to-date information on the situation
• follow the instructions of local authorities

Flooding and landslides

Heavy rains, particularly during spring and summer, can cause flooding and landslides. Roads may become impassable and infrastructure damaged.

• Exercise caution, particularly in areas around major rivers
• Stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• Follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders
• Meteorological forecast - Hydrometeorological service (in Macedonian)

Between November and February, Skopje and surrounding areas can be affected by thick fog, which can affect air travel.

• Reconfirm your flight before heading to the airport
• Flights - Skopje airport

Air pollution

Smoke haze and other types of air pollution can be extremely hazardous in North Macedonia. It’s usually worst in winter due the heavy smoke from coal and wood burning heaters. Air pollution levels can change quickly.

During periods of high pollution:

• limit your outdoor activities, especially if you suffer from respiratory ailments or have pre-existing medical conditions
• monitor local media

Air pollution in Skopje - World Air Quality Index

Local services

In case of emergency, dial:

• police: 192
• medical assistance: 194
• firefighters: 193
• roadside assistance: 196

Consular assistance

Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia

For emergency consular assistance, call the Embassy of Canada to Serbia, in Belgrade, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

Your last-minute guide to Monday's total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , offering millions a rare opportunity to see afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

Tune into NBC News NOW as Lester Holt hosts a two-hour special at 2 p.m. ET Monday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The eclipse's path fortuitously cuts across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and a small part of eastern Canada. In all other states in the continental U.S., viewers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun and obscuring part of its light.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rare celestial event.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align. The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.

Solar eclipses occur only with the new moon. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted, the three bodies don’t always line up in a way that creates an eclipse.

“Imagine if the moon’s orbit were in the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun — if that were the case, then every new moon, you’d have a total solar eclipse and every full moon, you’d have a lunar eclipse,” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, told NBC News. “So, because things don’t always align, it lends to the rarity of the event and the specialness of the event.”

Where and when will the eclipse be visible?

This year’s eclipse will follow a slightly wider path over more populated areas of the continental U.S. than other total solar eclipses have in the recent past.

NASA estimates that 31.6 million people live within what’s known as the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path, according to the agency.

The path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

After the eclipse crosses into Canada, it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

Those outside the path of totality can still take part in the astronomical event by viewing a partial solar eclipse — visible throughout all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. — or a NASA livestream.

The timing, including how long totality lasts, depends on the location, but some spots will see the moon fully cover the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Below is a list of timings for some cities along the path of totality, as  provided by NASA . A number of other resources, including NationalEclipse.com  and  TimeandDate.com , can also help people plan.

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or  pinhole projectors  are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury,  according to NASA .

Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses and specially made to enable wearers to look at the sun during these kinds of celestial events.

Sky-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached. Eclipse glasses should not be used with these devices, as they will not provide adequate protection.

However, during the few minutes of totality, when the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to look with the naked eye.

Beware of fake eclipse glasses. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for the ISO logo and the code “IS 12312-2” printed on the inside.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can make a homemade pinhole projector, which lets sunlight in through a small hole, focuses it and projects it onto a piece of paper, wall or other surface to create an image of the sun that is safe to look at. 

All you need is two pieces of white cardboard or plain white paper, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack. Cut a 1- to 2-inch square or rectangle out of the center of a piece of white paper or cardboard. Tape aluminum foil over that cut-out shape, then use a pin or thumbtack to poke a tiny hole in the foil.

During the eclipse, place a second piece of white paper or cardboard on the ground as a screen and hold the projector with the foil facing up and your back to the sun. Adjusting how far you hold the projector from the second piece of paper will alter the size of the image on the makeshift screen.

What to look for while viewing the total solar eclipse

For people along the path of totality, there are some fun milestones to keep track of as the total solar eclipse unfolds.

As the eclipse progresses and the sun gets thinner in the sky, it will start to get eerily dark, according to Tyson.

When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, look out for the “diamond ring effect”: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring.

As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain. Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys.

When the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses and look at the total solar eclipse with the naked eye.

Some lucky sky-watchers may even catch a glimpse of a comet .

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks — nicknamed the “ devil comet ” because an eruption last year left it with two distinct trails of gas and ice in the shape of devil horns — is currently visible from the Northern Hemisphere as it swings through the inner solar system.

The comet can be seen in the early evenings by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. During the eclipse, when skies darken during totality, it may be possible to see the comet near Jupiter, but its visibility will depend on whether it’s in the middle of an outburst and thus brighter than normal.

Most likely, all eyes will be on the alignment of the moon and sun.

“Most people won’t even notice,” Tyson said. “But if you know to look, it’s there.”

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will mostly pass over the Arctic Ocean, with some visibility in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and northern Spain. In 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain and a swath of northern Africa.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.

The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will occur in 2045. The path of totality for that eclipse will cut through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Lucas Thompson is a content producer for the NBC News Climate Unit.

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Iranian attack on Israel expected ‘sooner rather than later’, says Joe Biden

President said US are ‘devoted to the defence of Israel’ as he urged Tehran to show restraint

Joe Biden has said he expects an Iranian attack on Israel “sooner rather than later” and issued a last-ditch message to Tehran: “Don’t.”

“We are devoted to the defence of Israel . We will support Israel. We will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed,” Biden told reporters on Friday.

Earlier the White House national security spokesperson John Kirby warned that the threat of a significant Iranian attack on Israel remains “viable” despite Washington-led efforts, including calls to Tehran from the UK and Germany, to deter a serious escalation in the conflict in the Middle East.

The White House comments came as several countries, including India, France , Poland and Russia, warned their citizens against travel to the region and Israel’s defence minister, Yoav Gallant, said his country was “prepared to defend [itself] on the ground and in the air, in close cooperation with our partners”.

Later CBS, quoting two unnamed US officials, reported that a substantial missile and drone attack could be launched as early as Friday evening, as a number of countries urgently warned their nationals of the risk of escalating violence in the region, and Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, convened a security assessment.

Appearing to underline that report, Javad Karimi-Ghodousi, a member of the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy commission, said: “After punishing the Zionist regime in the coming hours, this villain will understand that henceforth, wherever in the world it attempts to assassinate figures of the resistance front, it will again be punished with Iranian missiles.”

German airline Lufthansa said on Friday its planes would no longer use Iranian airspace and extended its suspension of flights to and from Tehran until Thursday.

Qantas has paused its non-stop flights from Perth to London because the 17-and-a-half-hour flight is possible only by using Iranian airspace.

Iran has threatened reprisals against Israel for a strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria on 1 April, in which seven members of the Revolutionary Guards including two generals were killed, sparking fears that an already volatile climate in the Middle East could quickly spiral further.

Tehran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said on Thursday that Iran felt it had no choice but to respond to the deadly attack on its diplomatic mission after the UN security council failed to take action.

Speaking to reporters, Kirby said the prospect of an Iranian attack on Israel was “still a viable threat” despite concerted efforts by Israel and the US in recent days to deter it .

“We are in constant communication with our Israeli counterparts about making sure that they can defend themselves against those kinds of attacks,” Kirby said. He confirmed that the head of US Central Command, Gen Erik Kurilla, was in Israel talking with defence officials about how Israel could be best prepared.

Israel has said it is strengthening air defences and has paused leave for combat units.

On Friday, France ordered the evacuation of diplomats’ families and warned nationals in several other countries, including Israel and Lebanon, and alerts were issued by Canada and Australia. The US also restricted travel within Israel for US diplomats and their families.

In its strong warning on Friday, the French foreign ministry advised citizens against travelling to Iran, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian territories and said French civil servants were banned from conducting any missions there.

The advisories followed a number of media reports that Israel was preparing for the prospect of an attack from Iran, possibly as soon as this weekend.

A US official told the Wall Street Journal that American intelligence reports indicated an Iranian retaliatory strike “possibly on Israeli soil” as opposed to against Israeli interests elsewhere, adding that the strike could come within 24 to 48 hours.

The same report, however, also reported an individual briefed by the Iranian leadership as saying no final decision had been taken by Tehran.

The newspaper reported US officials as saying that the US Navy had repositioned two destroyers in the region in order to protect US and Israeli forces.

While analysts had initially speculated that Iran may not rush into a response, concern has grown in the last two days over the potential for direct conflict between Iran and Israel after years of proxy conflict between the two enemies.

More recently experts have suggested that Iran now feels it is required to act militarily to restore its balance of deterrence with Israel.

On Wednesday, Joe Biden said Iran was threatening a “significant attack” against Israel and that Washington would do all it could to protect Israel’s security.

The US president’s comments in turn followed a televised speech by Iran’s leader saying the attack in Damascus was equivalent to an attack on Iran itself. “When they attacked our consulate area, it was like they attacked our territory,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said. “The evil regime must be punished, and it will be punished.”

The Israeli military said it was fully prepared for any strike. Israel was “on alert and highly prepared for various scenarios, and we are constantly assessing the situation,” the Israel Defense Forces spokesperson, R Adm Daniel Hagari, said at a press conference. “We are ready for attack and defence using a variety of capabilities that the IDF has, and also ready with our strategic partners.”

According to reports in the Israeli media, the IDF believes that Iran or one of its proxies are most likely to attempt to strike a military target rather than civilian centres, although some sites such as the Kirya, Israel’s defence headquarters in Tel Aviv, are located in city centres next to shopping malls, offices and restaurants.

Concern over a significant escalation in the Middle East conflict, which has already drawn in Hezbollah in Lebanon, pro-Iranian groups in Iraq and Yemen’s Houthis, came as Israeli forces continued to fight Palestinian militants in the north and centre of the Gaza Strip.

Residents of al-Nusseirat refugee camp in central Gaza said dozens were dead or wounded after Israeli bombardment from air, land and sea that had followed a surprise ground assault on Thursday, and that houses and two mosques had been destroyed.

• Middle East and north Africa

More on this story

Netanyahu aims to trap west into war across Middle East, warns Iranian diplomat

‘Anything could happen’: Gaza Strip left hanging while Israel plots response to Iran’s attack

US to impose new sanctions against Iran after its air attack on Israel

UN demands end to Israeli forces’ support of settler attacks on West Bank Palestinians

Artists refuse to open Israel pavilion at Venice Biennale until ceasefire is reached

IDF chief of staff says Israel will respond to Iran missile attack

‘Sympathy shifted to Israel’: many fear Iran attack has distracted aid effort

Israeli settlers kill two Palestinians in West Bank, officials say

‘No one dared’: some in Gaza back Iran’s attack as Israel continues strikes

Most viewed.

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked