TIME: Pacific Daylight Time PDT (UTC−08:00)

CURRENCY: The official currency of Canada is the Canadian Dollar (CAD), and it is represented by the $ sign. The exchange rate varies continuously.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE: Exchanges can be made at the airport, in exchange bureaus or in banks. In Canada, credit cards are accepted in commercial establishments such as shops, hotels, restaurants and travel agencies. Nevertheless, it is recommended to have some cash in the national currency at hand for minor expenses.

CREDIT CARD: Accepted credit cards include: Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, American Express

COUNTRY CODE: +01

MEDICAL SERVICE: Emergency call 911

LANGUAGE: French, English, Mandarin

ELECTRICITY: In Canada the standard voltage is 120 V and the frequency is 60 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in Canada, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 110 – 127 V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries). Manufacturers take small deviations (plus or minus 5%) into account. Be careful if you bring appliances from Japan (100 V).

If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 220 – 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia), you need a voltage converter in Canada. Some say you can carefully try to use your appliances in Canada without a converter. Most likely they won’t be damaged, but may not function optimally. If you don’t want to take any chances, use a converter. You can also consider a combined power plug adapter/voltage converter.

TIPPING: Tipping is not mandatory but generally expected because most of the service providers receive a relatively low base pay (minimum wage is about $10 an hour in Canada) and rely on tips to bring their earnings to a decent (sometimes very good) rate. In most cases, a tip in the range of 15% to 20% is perfectly acceptable. Here are some more specific circumstances and guides on how to tip (amounts suggested are in Canadian dollars).

BUSINESS HOURS: Most office hours are Mondays to Fridays, from 9:00 to 5:00. Bank hours are 9:00 to 14:00. Commercial centres and malls are open Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 9:00; Saturday 10:00 to 6:00; and Sunday, from 11:00 to 5:00. Supermarkets are open 8:00 to 22:00.

LOCAL LAW: Any person living in or visiting Canada must obey all provincial and national laws. Claims of unawareness or ignorance will not represent any exemption. Under Canadian law, you’re presumed innocent until proven guilty.

VEHICLE DRIVING: If you plan to use a foreign driver’s licence in Canada, you should get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country. An IDP will give you a translation of your licence into French and English.

ALCOHOL: The legal drinking age in the province of British Columbia is 19 years old. Alcohol consumption is only allowed in private, indoor areas.

TOBACCO: Only people 19 and over are allowed to use tobacco or tobacco products in the province of British Columbia. Tobacco use is only allowed in private areas and in public, open spaces.

In general, sporting facilities are smoke free zones, and smoking is only allowed in those facilities that have specific designated smoking areas.

SAFETY IN RICHMOND-VANCOUVER: The Richmond-Vancouver region is considered a very safe area and people are very friendly and helpful. Rates for violence are very low. However, you should still take basic precautions like in any other city.

CITY OF RICHMOND & VANCOUVER:

Tourism Richmond, BC – Official Website (visitrichmondbc.com)

Destination Vancouver – official source of tourist information, things to do, restaurants for Vancouver BC Canada

Karate Canada is pleased to announce the official host hotels for the 2023 Richmond-Vancouver Series A. As such, special group rates have been arranged for event participants.

HQ Hotel

Sheraton Vancouver Airport

Be where the action is! All pre-event activities including the following will be at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport:

• Accreditation and weighing
• Referee Meeting
• Accredited Coach Briefing
• Coach Meeting & Draw

Address: 7551 Westminster Hwy, Richmond BC V6X 1A3

Standard Room – 2 queen beds

• $239 CAD up to Double Occupancy
• $259 Triple Occupancy
• $279 Quad Occupancy

Hotel’s room rates are subject to applicable provincial and local taxes, currently 17.16% (5% GST, 11% Hotel Room Tax, 1.16% Destination Marketing Fee), in effect at the time of check-out. These taxes and fees are subject to change without notice.

Booking Deadline: March 8, 2023

• Weblink for reservations: Book your group rate for Karate Canada Apr2023
• Reservation Toll Free: 1–800–663–0299 (mention Karate Canada Apr2023 SVA)
• Reservation Email: reservations@sheratonvancouverairport.com (mention
  Karate Canada Apr2023 SVA)
• Airport to hotel – 6.3 km (Complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle available)
• Hotel to Richmond Olympic Oval (venue) – 1.6 km (13-minute walk / 4-minute drive)
• Complimentary Parking for all registered overnight guests and attendees.
• Complimentary wireless internet in the meeting rooms.
• Complimentary basic wireless internet in all guest rooms.
• Complimentary wireless internet access in the hotel lobby, restaurant and public areas.
• Complimentary fitness centre access

Vancouver Airport Marriott

Address: 7571 Westminster Hwy, Richmond BC V6X
1A3 (next to the Sheraton Vancouver Airport)

Standard Room – 2 queen beds

• $239 CAD up to Double Occupancy
• $259 Triple Occupancy
• $279 Quad Occupancy

Hotel’s room rates are subject to applicable provincial and local taxes, currently 17.16%
(5% GST, 11% Hotel Room Tax, 1.16% Destination Marketing Fee), in effect at the time of
check–out. These taxes and fee are subject to change without notice.

Booking Deadline: March 8, 2023

• Weblink for reservations: Book your group rate for Karate Canada Apr2023 VAM
• Reservation Toll Free: 1-800-663-0299 (mention Karate Canada Apr2023 VAM)
• Reservation Email: reservations@sheratonvancouverairport.com (mention Karate Canada Apr2023 VMA)
• Airport to hotel – 6.3 km (Complimentary 24–hour airport shuttle available)
• Hotel to Richmond Olympic Oval (venue) – 1.6 km (13–minute walk / 4–minute drive)
• Complimentary Parking for all registered overnight guests and attendees.
• Complimentary wireless internet in the meeting rooms.
• Complimentary basic wireless internet in all guest rooms.
• Complimentary wireless internet access in the hotel lobby, restaurant and public
  areas.
• Complimentary fitness centre access

Canada does not have a visa office in every country so it is important that delegates visit the website of the Canadian visa office responsible for processing their visa application.  Information is available on the website on how to submit a visa application and the documentation required.

If you require a travel visa, we can assist with preparing an invitation letter for your delegation, we ask the national federations to complete the form below and return it by email to: cheryl.tataryn@karatecanada.org

• Form in English
• Formulario en español
• Formulaire en français

Karate Canada will then send you a formal invitation letter which you will have to submit, accompanied with any required personal identification documents, to the Canadian consulate closest to you

Processing times for visa applications vary depending on the visa office and the time of the year.  Participants are encouraged to apply approximately 12 weeks in advance of their departure date to ensure they receive the visa in time.

Biometrics (Global Expansion)

Depending on your nationality, you may be required to give your biometrics:

Starting July 31, 2018 the biometric requirement becomes mandatory for nationals of Europe, Middle East and Africa, and

Starting December 31, 2018 the biometric requirement becomes mandatory for nationals of Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas.

For additional information on whether or not you require a biometric, please refer to our fast facts about Biometrics.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

As of November 10, 2016, visa-exempt foreign nationals are expected to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada.

Exceptions include U.S. citizens, and travelers with a valid Canadian visa. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and Canadian permanent residents are not eligible to apply for an eTA.