How To: Apply for Travel Document Within Canada

I have been asked so many times about travel document application within Canada, so I guess it will be easier I make this into a blog entry:

许多朋友问到旅行证件申请的问题，我干脆写个博客，以后大家都来这里看好了：

首先给个链接，申请表格下载地址Form Download Here：http://www.ppt.gc.ca/form/pdfs/pptc190.pdf

What is Travel Documents and for Whom?

什么是旅行证件，适合什么样的人？

The Travel Documents program issues travel documents to individuals who have refugee or protected person status in Canada. The program also issues certificates of identity to legally landed persons.

Delivered by: Passport Canada

申请步骤：填表格，找担保人签字（会计，工程师，律师等特定职业，见表格中详细说明）；邮寄，快递，或者亲自送表格；等待

• The program requires several months to process applications.
• Application forms must be signed by the applicant and a guarantor.
• Application Form  表格下载地址

Applicants must also provide the following documents with their application:

附加文件 ： 移民身份证件，至少一份政府发的身份证件（健康卡或者驾照等），两张护照照片（其中一张需要担保人签字），任何有效的或者过期的旅行证件(如果有的话，需要原件）

• proof of immigration status in Canada, such as a status of protected person document, a record of landing or a temporary resident permit (originals only)
• at least one additional identity document bearing the applicant's name and signature, issued by any level of Canadian or foreign government (originals or photocopies signed by the guarantor)
• two identical passport photographs, one of which is signed by a guarantor, that meet the technical specifications and standards listed in the passport application form
• any valid or expired travel document issued to the applicant, if applicable (originals only)

 
 如有加急申请，可直接到渥太华去。 无需预约，一早去排队就可以，如果加急原因合理，2周内证件就会寄到家中。 建议电话询问，加急情况是否可以用快件。

By courier or in person

Certificate of Identity Section

Passport Canada Program

Place du Centre, Commercial Level 2

200 Promenade du Portage

Gatineau QC J8X 4B

Financial Information  

申请费用

The fees for travel documents and certificates of identity are as follows:

• $22 for each document issued to a child under three years of age
• $37 for each document issued to a child between 3 and 15 years of age
• $87 for travel documents issued to persons 16 years of age or older
• $127 for certificates of identity issued to persons 16 years of age or older

Contact Information

• General Inquiries: 1-800-567-6868
• TTY: 1-866-255-7655

Related Information

• The validity period of these documents and certificates is determined by the issuing office.
• When a travel document has been lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed or is inaccessible, applicants must also include a completed statutory declaration form with their application form.
• Since January 23, 2007, all travellers, including Canadians, permanent residents of Canada and Americans, need to carry a valid passport or other appropriate secure document when travelling to the United States by air.

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Ontario Collge: Private vs Public?

Ontario colleges can be a good choice for your career training, especially when you are new to this country as an internationally educated professional. 

Ontario government has been quite generously funding post-secondary education, with the second-career give-away and OSAP for modest income students.Both private colleges and public colleges are eligible for these funding. 


Not surprisingly, there are tons of private colleges proactively promoting their quickie and flexible programs, on the free job newspaper, on regular daily newspaper,and on immigration magazines. 

Earlier this year I decided it's time to go back to school for a recharge and enrichment. I was attempted by the Start Any Time and graduate in one year advertising slogan from private colleges. 

And I ended up in a private college at a primary downtown location. 

What do I like about private college?

The admission officer has been very supportive and helpful, providing up-to-date labor market information well before hand, so that I was able to choose the program I fell in love with later on. 

The whole campus is like a department in public colleges, everyone knows everyone; administrative support is prompt and the staff are nice enough to greet you by name every morning. The small and cozy kitchen has everything you need to survive the day: Microwave, Fridge, Water Boiler, Cafe Machine and Snack Machine. Many students including myself bring our own lunch box to heat up. 

Since everything has been tucked into a small space, you don't need to worry about commuting between classrooms and cafeterias and washrooms. Classroom is also small enough for the teacher to know everyone's breakfast preference. And basically everyone will have a chance to participate fully in a lecture. Sounds pretty good eh? 

But what happened was that I quit the college and transferred to a public one a couple of month later. 

What are the pros of public colleges over private ones? My understanding is that:

• 1. A big faculty of professors to provide multiple perspective and sources of knowledge. 

• 2. A full service career center with various activities and resources such as workshops, job fairs, networking events, and online job postings exclusive for current students .

• 3. Student Clubs and Associations for your different hobbies and networking needs.

• 4. Student discount from partner stores and student insurance coverage.

• 5. Well established program with relatively stable instructors who have previous experience teaching the courses.  

• 6. An extended network of classmates and school mates, which can be a great asset for new comers to start all over again in a city of strangers.

• 7. Expanded partnership with private sectors which can provide better internship opportunities for students.

But why people still  go to private colleges? From my own observation:

• 1. Easier to enter, and easier to pass.

• 2. Too many other obligations from family and work, that study is not a top priority.

• 3. A diploma is sufficient, the institution does not matter much.

• 4. For people with children, a full year program at a private college can mean a full year child care subsidy!

• 5. Flexible schedule, so that you don't have to wait for the Fall, Winter, or Summer semester to get started.   

I have been researching all around before I got into the private college, but  didn't get a satisfactory answer. It was not until I had been through all of it that I knew what's in there.

I hope this can be of help to those who are still hunting for your ideal college.
Do your research carefully, and make your college experience a worthy and enjoyable one!