Canada Updates Travel Advisories for Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador and More

Canada has updated its destination guidance for Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Rwanda, the Solomon Islands and Italy, adding new details on security risks, border measures, entry rules and potential disruptions that could affect travellers over the coming months.

Jordan: New details for dual citizens and drone use

Jordan remains under an “avoid non-essential travel” advisory in Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories, with the update focusing on practical issues that can catch visitors off guard, particularly travellers with dual nationality and those carrying camera gear.

Publicly available Canadian guidance now highlights mandatory military service rules affecting Jordanian men born in 2007 or later, including dual citizens. For travellers who may be covered by those requirements, Canada’s advisory points to checking with Jordanian authorities before travel to avoid surprises at the border or during a stay.

The updated advisory also flags that travellers need authorization from Jordanian authorities before importing or operating a drone, including for aerial photography. The point matters for visitors planning content creation around major sites such as Petra, Wadi Rum, and Amman’s viewpoints, where travelers may be tempted to fly drones without realizing the legal requirements.

Saudi Arabia: Expanded “avoid all travel” areas and Hajj timing

Canada’s advisory for Saudi Arabia continues to recommend avoiding non-essential travel overall, while expanding the highest regional risk level. The updated guidance now advises avoiding all travel to the provinces of Asir, Jazan and Najran, alongside a long-standing warning to avoid all travel within 30 km of the border with Yemen.

Canada’s published advisory links the expanded regional warning to the risk of armed strikes, drone attacks, and debris from interceptions. The same guidance also notes the potential for disruptions, including flight cancellations, amid broader regional instability, which is especially relevant for travellers routing through major hubs such as Riyadh and Jeddah for onward connections.

For religious travel, Canada’s updated Saudi Arabia page includes the expected dates for the next Hajj, listed as May 14 to 19, 2027, pending official moon sighting. The guidance also reiterates crowd-safety concerns at religious sites during peak periods and encourages careful planning for travellers attending mass gatherings.

Separately, Canada’s entry guidance notes passport validity expectations and visa structure commonly used by tourists: a passport generally needs at least six months’ validity from the date of entry, and travellers can typically obtain a tourist visa online or on arrival, with multiple entries and a one-year validity, while Hajj requires a specific visa.

Ecuador: State of exception, curfew, and land-border limits

Canada’s updated Ecuador advisory keeps the country at “exercise a high degree of caution” due to high levels of crime, while adding granular details tied to security measures in specific provinces and travel logistics at land borders.

According to publicly posted Canadian guidance, a state of exception is in effect in multiple provinces, and a midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew is listed as running until September 30 in El Oro, Guayas, Los Ríos and Manabí. The advisory notes travellers should expect an increased police and military presence, carry identification, and follow instructions from local authorities.

For travellers planning overland routes, Canada’s advisory says most land border crossings with Colombia and Peru are closed until further notice for national security reasons, while listing limited exceptions that remain open: the Rumichaca International Bridge near Tulcán-Ipiales on the Colombia border, and the Pan-American Highway crossing south of Huaquillas leading to Tumbes on the Peru side.

The advisory also distinguishes the Galápagos Islands from the mainland risk picture, noting “take normal security precautions” for the Galápagos. For visitors flying to the islands, Canada’s guidance references documentation requirements, including a transit control card purchased at airport counters in Quito or Guayaquil, alongside identification and a return ticket.

Rwanda and the Solomon Islands: Border health measures and visa rules

Canada’s update for Rwanda focuses on cross-border and health-related travel friction, alongside reminders about local laws that can lead to confiscation or penalties.

Canada’s published guidance notes strict border restrictions related to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, applying to foreigners who have visited the DRC within the 21 days prior to entering Rwanda. It also notes that certain land crossings, including Gisenyi-Goma and Cyangugu-Bukavu, are prohibited for most travellers, a detail that can affect itinerary planning for those combining Rwanda with eastern DRC destinations.

Canada’s Rwanda advisory continues to list “take normal security precautions” at the national level, while advising a higher degree of caution in specified areas near the DRC border and in a section of Volcanoes National Park near the border. The same updated guidance also highlights that importing or using electronic cigarettes or vaporizers is illegal in Rwanda, with items subject to confiscation and possible fines.

For the Solomon Islands, Canada’s update is more administrative, reflecting revised entry guidance on visas. Canada’s publicly available advisory notes that a tourist visa is required for stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period, while a business visa is not required for stays of up to 30 days, encouraging travellers to match their paperwork to trip purpose and length of stay.

Italy: Volcano-related travel disruption language remains on the radar

Canada has also refreshed its Italy travel page, which keeps the country at “exercise a high degree of caution” due to the threat of terrorism, while retaining practical disruption guidance that may matter for travellers headed to Sicily.

Canada’s publicly posted Italy advisory continues to flag possible flight disruptions in Sicily due to volcanic ash linked to Mount Etna activity, advising travellers to confirm flight status before heading to the airport. The guidance is notable for Canadians connecting through Catania or planning tight onward travel after a Sicily segment, where schedule changes can cascade into missed connections.

For travellers planning autumn and winter trips, Canada’s Italy advisory also emphasizes that conditions tied to natural hazards can shift quickly in an active seismic and volcanic zone, and that official instructions and transportation updates should be monitored close to departure and during travel.