How to notify your financial institutions about your departure?

Traveling or moving abroad often involves a number of organizational issues, one of the most important of which is notifying your bank and other financial institutions of your change of address in a timely manner. Failure to notify them of your departure may result in your cards being blocked, transactions being declined, or even suspicious security measures being activated on your account. In this article, we will take a detailed look at how to properly and timely notify your bank, credit unions, investment and insurance companies about your departure from Canada in order to avoid financial problems and maintain full access to your funds.

Why is it important to notify them of your departure

First of all, most financial institutions in Canada have implemented modern fraud detection systems that evaluate unusual transactions, including transactions from unusual geographic locations. If your bank sees a payment or cash withdrawal in a country you have never been to, it may automatically block your card or request identity verification. This can happen in the middle of a business trip or vacation, when it is not always convenient to contact your bank urgently. That is why notifying your bank of your departure helps the institution to mark your cards and accounts as “authorized for international use” in advance.

In addition, some banks offer special rates for card services while roaming or free SMS notifications about transactions. If you do not activate travel notice, you may not receive these bonuses and, conversely, find yourself in a situation where payments abroad are accompanied by additional delays.

Step 1. Prepare the information

Before contacting your financial institution, prepare the following information:

  • Full name and account or card number
  • Planned departure and return dates
  • Countries and cities you plan to visit
  • Contact phone numbers and email address for official notifications

Having clear information will simplify the registration process in your online banking or directly at a bank branch.

Step 2. Using online banking or a mobile app

Most major banks and credit unions allow you to set up a travel notice yourself in your online account. To do this, simply follow these steps:

  1. Log in to online banking using your login and password

  2. Go to the “Card settings,” “Security,” or “Travel and relocation” section (the name may vary depending on the institution)

  3. Click the “Notify about travel” or “Travel Notice” button

  4. Fill in the fields with the dates, countries you will be visiting, and your contact information

  5. Confirm the changes with a one-time password (OTP) received via SMS or email

Once you have successfully completed these steps, the bank will automatically enter your details into the transaction monitoring system, allowing you to use your card abroad without any problems.

Step 3. Contact customer support by phone

If you do not have access to online banking or prefer to speak to someone in person, you can call your bank's contact center. To do this, find the support number on the back of your card or on the official website. During the call, tell the operator:

  • Your last name, first name, and middle name
  • Your card or account number
  • The start and end dates of your trip
  • The list of countries you will be visiting
  • Whether you want to receive SMS notifications about transactions abroad (if this service is available)

After processing your request, the operator will confirm the travel notice and provide information about possible additional services, such as free notifications or a special rate.

Step 4. Visit a bank branch

If you would like to discuss the details in person, you can contact your nearest branch. It is advisable to plan your visit to the bank in advance, as some institutions require an appointment. Please have your ID, address details, and travel plans ready. The branch manager will make the necessary changes to your customer file and recommend additional financial products to make your stay abroad more comfortable.

Step 5. Inform other financial institutions

Don't limit yourself to just your bank: if you have credit cards from other issuers, an investment or brokerage account, or an insurance policy, contact each company to request that they add your travel notice. It is important for insurance companies to know your departure date in order to properly activate medical and liability insurance coverage while you are abroad.

Additional recommendations

Even after setting up a travel notice, we recommend activating mobile transaction alerts. These will allow you to instantly see all debits and credits, increasing the security and control of your accounts. It is also useful to find out in advance about currency conversion terms and possible fees to avoid unpleasant surprises. Correct and timely notification of your departure to your bank and other financial institutions will ensure uninterrupted access to your funds and protection against accidental blocking. Use all available channels — online banking, telephone support, and branches — to ensure that your travels and moves go smoothly without financial obstacles.