Documentation Requirements for US Citizens Traveling to Canada
International travel with Minors (including Canada & Mexico)
USEFUL WEBSITES
http://www.travel.state.gov/
US Passport Applications, Travel Health/Immunizations, Travel Tips
www.travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html
Entry/Documentation Requirements for Foreign Travel, List of Embassies
http://uscis.gov/
US Citizenship and Immigration, Immigration and Visa Applications
www.dhs.gov/
US Travel and Transportation Regulations/ Restrictions
http://www.cbp.gov/
US Travel Alerts/Entry and Exit Policies
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/travel/
USDA, International Travel Policy for Agriculture/Animal Products
http://www.cic.gc.ca/ENGLISH/
Canadian Citizenship and Immigration, Entry Requirements, Visas
US Entry Requirements For Non-US Citizens
US Visit Program:
As of January 5th, 2004, the US-VISIT Program was implemented for incoming visitors requiring a visa to enter the US.
US-VISIT uses scanning equipment to collect `biometric identifiers,' such as fingerprints, in an inkless process, along with a digital photograph of the visitor. Together with the standard information gathered from a visitor about their identity and travel, the new program will verify the visitor's identity and compliance with visa and immigration policies. The new procedures are expected to add only a short time to the entry and exit process.
For further information, please contact: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0333.xml
Machine Readable Passport Requirement for Travelers to the US:
As of October 1st, 2003 all citizens of ANDORRA - BELGIUM - BRUNEI - LIECHTENSTEIN - LUXEMBOURG AND SLOVENIA are required to present a machine-readable passport to U.S. Immigration, if planning to visit the United States. U.S. Immigration will require that citizens from these countries present a machine-readable passport at the U.S. port of entry, in order to enter the United States without a visa. Additionally, please note that families and groups seeking to enter the U.S. under the VWP will need to obtain an individual passport for each traveler, including infants and children.
Citizens of all other visa waiver program countries (listed below) are permitted to enter the U.S. for general business or tourist purposes for a maximum of 90 days, without needing a visa. This waiver will be in effect until October 26, 2004. All airlines serving the U.S. are required to verify that each passenger holds proper passport and visa documentation before boarding the flight.
Countries Eligible to U.S. Visa Waiver Program with either a machine-readable or non-machine-readable passport:
| Australia |
Ireland |
Portugal |
| Austria |
Italy |
San Marino |
| Denmark |
Japan |
Singapore |
| Finland |
Monaco |
Spain |
| France |
The Netherlands |
Sweden |
| Germany |
New Zealand |
Switzerland |
| Iceland |
Norway |
United Kingdom |
To learn more, or to apply for a non-immigrant visa, please reference the U.S. Department of State website address: www.travel.state.gov/vwp
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Canadian Entry Requirements For Non-Canadians
New Canadian Permanent Resident Card:
The permanent resident (PR) card is a wallet-sized, plastic status card that replaces the paper IMM 1000 Record of Landing document. As of December 31, 2003, the PR card will be the proof of status document required by permanent residents seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train or bus). For more information please contact: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pr-card/index.html
Documentation Requirements for US Citizens Traveling to Canada:
Visas are not required for U.S. tourists entering Canada from the U.S. for stays up to 180 days. You will, however, need (1) proof of your U.S. citizenship such as (a) your U.S. passport or (b) original or certified copy of your birth certificate and photo identification. (For information on obtaining a U.S. passport, check with the nearest passport agency located at 13 locations throughout the U.S.) If you are a naturalized citizen and do not have a passport, you should travel with your naturalization certificate. A driver's license or Social Security card is not valid proof of citizenship. All U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid passport. Alien permanent residents of the U.S. must present their Alien Registration Card, commonly called the "Green Card." If you are a dual U.S./Canadian citizen you should always present yourself as a Canadian citizen when entering Canada. However, U.S. citizens should use their U.S. passports when entering or leaving the United States
Due to international concern over child abduction, single parents, grandparents, or guardians traveling with children often need proof of custody or notarized letters from the other parent authorizing travel. (This is in addition to proof of citizenship as explained above.) See International Travel for Minors (below). For further information on entry requirements travelers may contact the Embassy of Canada at: http://www.canadianembassy.org/ or the Canadian Consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, or Seattle.
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International Travel With Minors (Including Canada & Mexico)
In an effort to keep children safe while traveling internationally, many governments have initiated procedures at entry and exit points, including requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission of the parent(s) or legal guardian not present for the child's travel. Parents of minor children (under 18 years old) should carefully document legal custody prior to traveling internationally.
If a minor child is traveling with only one parent, the absent parent must provide notarized consent. If only one parent has legal custody, that parent should be prepared to provide a court order of child custody to airlines and international authorities.
If a minor child is traveling alone or in someone else's company, both parents (or the sole, documented custodial parent) must provide notarized consent.
If a child traveling has a different last name from the mother and/or father, the parents should be prepared to provide evidence to airlines and official authorities, such as a birth certificate or adoption decree, to prove that they are the parents.
If one parent is deceased, a death certificate is required.
If the birth certificate shows that the minor only has one parent, it will be sufficient to hold only a notarized copy of the birth certificate.
Travelers should be aware that Mexican entry regulations require Spanish translations of all legal documents, including notarized consent decrees and court agreements.
