What Is Canada’s Annual Consular Data Report?

The Annual Consular Data Report summarizes the assistance Global Affairs Canada provided to Canadians who encountered difficulties while travelling or living abroad. It covers cases brought to the attention of the department or its offices overseas; it is not a complete record of every incident involving a Canadian outside the country.

The 2025–2026 report reviews travel patterns, passport services, consular cases, emergency responses and the information provided to travellers. It also explains what Canadian officials can and cannot do when someone faces a medical emergency, arrest, crime, family crisis or travel disruption overseas.

The report is useful for travellers and their families because it sets realistic expectations about government support. Canadian officials can provide information, practical assistance and guidance, but the assistance available depends on the situation, local laws, privacy requirements and the resources available at the location.

How Many Canadians Received Consular Assistance?

Global Affairs Canada opened 7,436 consular cases during the 2025–2026 fiscal year. The report describes this as an increase of approximately 3% compared with the previous year and more than 7% over two years.

Consular cases can involve a wide range of circumstances, including arrests, deaths abroad, medical emergencies, accidents, missing-person concerns, family matters, financial difficulties and crime. The complexity of each case varies, and not every situation requires the same type of assistance.

The report identifies arrest and detention, death abroad, and accident and medical assistance as the three most common categories of consular cases during the reporting period.

The categories shown above exclude theft cases, which the report records separately.

Which Countries Had the Most Consular Cases?

The destinations where Canadians most frequently requested consular assistance broadly reflected the places they visited most often. The United States and Mexico recorded the highest numbers of consular cases in the 2025–2026 report.

These figures describe cases recorded by Global Affairs Canada, not the overall likelihood of an incident occurring in a country. Case totals can be influenced by how many Canadians visit a destination, the duration of their stays and the circumstances they encounter.

Passport Services for Canadians Abroad

A passport that is lost, stolen, damaged or nearing expiry can create major problems during an overseas trip. Canadian missions provide passport and travel-document services to eligible Canadians abroad, subject to identity verification and applicable processing requirements.

During the 2025–2026 fiscal year, Canadian officials received 208,174 passport applications from outside Canada. They issued 187,249 new passports, 10,842 temporary passports and 1,474 emergency travel documents.

The report also recorded 7,106 passports reported lost and 4,193 reported stolen during the year. These numbers illustrate why travellers should keep their documents secure and know how to contact the nearest Canadian office if a passport problem occurs.

If your passport is lost or stolen abroad, report the situation to local police where appropriate and contact the nearest Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate for instructions. The documents and processing options available will depend on your circumstances and destination.

Official information: Emergency assistance for Canadians abroad.

What Help Can Canadians Receive in a Medical Emergency Abroad?

Canadian consular officials can provide information about local medical services, help travellers contact family or friends and explain practical options for seeking assistance. They may also help with communication when a traveller is seriously ill or injured.

However, consular officials do not pay medical bills, provide medical treatment or arrange medical evacuations. Travellers remain responsible for obtaining and paying for healthcare, subject to their own insurance and other arrangements.

The report recorded 1,176 accident and medical assistance cases during the fiscal year, an increase of more than 8% compared with the previous year. Mexico, the United States, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Italy were the leading destinations for this category of assistance.

Before travelling, Canadians should review destination-specific health advice, understand how their insurance works overseas and check whether activities such as skiing, diving or other adventure sports require additional coverage. Travellers with existing medical needs should also plan for medication supplies and access to appropriate care.

Arrest and Detention: What Canadian Officials Can Do

The report recorded 1,981 arrest and detention cases in 2025–2026, making this the largest consular case category. This was an increase of approximately 20% compared with the previous fiscal year.

If a Canadian is arrested abroad, consular officials can communicate with the individual, provide general information about the local legal and prison systems, explain how to contact family with the person’s consent and provide information about local lawyers.

Canadian officials cannot secure a person’s release, provide legal representation, interfere with a foreign judicial process or ensure that another country applies Canadian law. A Canadian detained abroad is subject to the laws and justice system of the country where the detention occurs.

Travellers should read the destination’s Travel Advice and Advisories before departure, paying particular attention to local laws, customs and regulations. If arrested, ask local authorities to notify the nearest Canadian office and consider seeking advice from a qualified local lawyer.

Assistance When a Canadian Dies Abroad

A death overseas can leave family members facing unfamiliar legal, administrative and logistical procedures while dealing with grief. During 2025–2026, Global Affairs Canada recorded approximately 1,599 consular cases involving deaths abroad.

Consular officials can help next of kin understand local procedures, explain options for repatriation or local burial, provide information about local service providers and communicate with authorities when appropriate.

The government does not pay funeral expenses or make funeral arrangements on behalf of the family. Costs and procedures depend on local requirements, the family’s decisions and any insurance coverage available.

Comprehensive travel insurance and a clear plan for contacting family members can help reduce some of the practical difficulties associated with an unexpected death abroad.

Missing Canadians and Family-Related Cases

Global Affairs Canada recorded 852 well-being and whereabouts cases during the reporting period. These can arise when a Canadian stops communicating, misses expected contact or cannot be located by concerned family members.

Where possible, consular officials may attempt to confirm a person’s well-being and, with the person’s consent, share information with family or friends. Privacy laws and the individual’s rights limit what information officials can disclose.

The department also managed 804 children and family cases, including matters involving custody, child welfare, family distress, international child abduction and other complex situations. Such cases are governed by the laws and authorities of the country where the child is located.

Canadian officials can explain local processes and communicate with relevant authorities where appropriate. They cannot override foreign court decisions, remove a child from another country or act as a party’s lawyer in family proceedings. Parents and guardians should seek qualified legal advice for complex international family matters.

Emergency Financial Assistance: Important Limits

The report recorded 651 financial assistance cases during 2025–2026. Financial difficulties can arise when a wallet is stolen, a bank card stops working, travel arrangements are disrupted or a traveller cannot access funds.

Consular officials can help a Canadian contact family, friends or a financial institution to arrange a private transfer of money. In certain circumstances, the government may provide information about emergency financial assistance options and the applicable requirements.

The government does not routinely replace stolen money, pay ordinary travel expenses or automatically fund a trip home. Any emergency financial assistance is subject to eligibility, conditions and repayment requirements where applicable.

Travellers should maintain access to more than one payment method, keep emergency contact details separate from their wallet and understand how to contact their bank from overseas. Consider keeping a secure backup of important documents and payment information.

Canada’s Response to International Emergencies in 2025–2026

International emergencies can interrupt commercial flights, limit access to essential services and create rapidly changing security conditions. Global Affairs Canada coordinates consular responses with Canadian missions, other federal departments, transportation providers, local authorities and international partners as circumstances require.

During the 2025–2026 fiscal year, Canada supported assisted departures for more than 1,500 Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members from affected areas, as well as nearly 60 foreign nationals at the request of partner governments.

The report describes several major responses, including assistance during the June 2025 Israeli-Iranian tensions and the wider Middle East conflict beginning in February 2026. From February 28 to March 31, 2026, Canadian officials assisted the departure of more than 1,320 Canadian citizens and eligible persons, alongside 58 foreign nationals at the request of their governments.

The response included assisted bus movements, coordination with commercial airlines, a charter flight, emergency travel documents, travel updates and the deployment of staff to support Canadians in the region.

Assisted departures depend on the security situation, transport availability, border access and operational feasibility. They are not guaranteed for every traveller or every emergency. Canadians should follow local authorities’ instructions, monitor official travel advisories and make independent travel arrangements when safe and available.

Travel Destinations Canadians Visited Most in 2025–2026

The report estimates approximately 33.4 million international visits by Canadian travellers aged 18 and older during the 2025–2026 fiscal year. The United States remained the most-visited international destination by a substantial margin.

These are estimates based on Statistics Canada’s National Travel Survey. The report notes that the 2026 first-quarter figures are preliminary and that the totals use visits by travellers aged 18 and older.

How to Prepare Before Travelling Outside Canada

Global Affairs Canada encourages travellers to follow three practical steps: read up on their destination, register their trip and save contact details for Canadian consular assistance.

1. Read the Travel Advice and Advisories

Check the official travel advice for each destination before departure. Review security conditions, entry and exit requirements, local laws, health concerns and any regional warnings. Recheck the advice during your trip because conditions can change quickly.

Official resource: Travel Advice and Advisories.

2. Register with Canadians Abroad

The Registration of Canadians Abroad service allows the government to contact registered travellers during an emergency at their destination or during an emergency at home. Registration is free and confidential. It is useful for short trips as well as longer stays overseas.

Official resource: Registration of Canadians Abroad.

3. Save Emergency Contact Information

Save the contact information for the nearest Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate, along with the Government of Canada’s 24/7 emergency contact details. Keep these details accessible even if your phone or wallet is lost.

4. Buy Appropriate Travel Insurance

Review travel health insurance carefully. Confirm the coverage limit, exclusions, deductible, emergency assistance arrangements and whether your planned activities are covered. Government consular services do not pay medical bills or arrange medical evacuation.

5. Keep Copies of Important Documents

Keep secure copies of your passport, insurance details, prescriptions, emergency contacts and travel itinerary. Use a secure storage method and avoid sharing sensitive information through unverified messages or websites.

How to Contact Canadian Consular Officials in an Emergency

Canadians who need urgent assistance abroad should contact the nearest Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate, or use the Government of Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre. The centre provides emergency consular assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are facing immediate danger, contact local emergency services first when it is safe to do so. Canadian consular officials can provide additional guidance and information, but they may be limited by local conditions, security restrictions and the laws of the country where you are located.

The official emergency assistance page provides current telephone numbers, contact instructions and information about the types of situations in which consular support may be available.

Official contact information: Emergency assistance for Canadians abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Government Sources

• Canada’s Annual Consular Data Report 2025–2026 — the full report and statistics for the fiscal year.
• Global Affairs Canada news release — highlights from the report published October 8, 2026.
• Travel Advice and Advisories — destination-specific safety and travel information.
• Registration of Canadians Abroad — register your trip and receive emergency communications.
• Emergency assistance for Canadians abroad — official instructions for contacting consular services.