Planning ahead can help you avoid unnecessary hassles at check-in. To confirm the travel documents you will need for your destinations and review special international travel information, check out the links provided below.
US Citizens Traveling to Canada from the US
International Travel with Minors (including Canada & Mexico)
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
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/Exit Requirements For Non-US Citizens
After September 30th, 2004, all travelers to the U.S. not in possession of a U.S. passport or U.S. permanent resident card ("Green Card") are required to participate in the US-VISIT program.
The US-VISIT program collects biometric identifiers (an inkless fingerprint scan and a digital photograph) from the visitor upon arrival and departure from the U.S. The US-VISIT procedures are expected to add only a short time to the Entry and Exit process. Together with standard passport and itinerary information gathered from passengers, the new program will verify the visitor's identity and compliance with U.S. visa and immigration policies.
The US-VISIT Entry process was implemented in 2004 as part of the immigration process upon arrival in the U.S. The Exit process uses kiosks in airport terminals to register visitors upon their departure from the U.S. The Exit process will be rolled out to airports in phases throughout 2004 and 2005. Prior to boarding an aircraft, visitors must stop and "check out" at one of the identified US-VISIT Exit kiosks located throughout the terminal (behind Security checkpoints). The Exit process is mandatory when departing from airports that have the exit kiosks installed.
For further information, please visit: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/content_multi_image/content_multi_image_0006.xml
Machine Readable Passport Requirement for Travelers to the US:
Effective October 26th, 2004 all citizens of the below listed countries wishing to travel to the U.S. under the visa waiver program (VWP) will be required to present a machine-readable passport (MRP) to US Border authorities upon entry. Citizens of all VWP countries are permitted to enter the U.S. for general business or tourist purposes for a maximum of 90 days without obtaining a visa.
Citizens of VWP countries visiting the U.S. on or after October 26, 2004 that do not have a MRP will need to obtain a US visa before commencing their trip. The same visa requirements apply to passengers who are merely transiting the U.S. for final destinations in Canada, Mexico, or other countries.
Families and groups seeking to enter the U.S. under the VWP will be required to have an individual passport for each traveler, including infants and children.
US Customs and Border Protection agency may, if otherwise admissible and on a case-by-case basis, allow citizens of VWP countries without a machine readable passport (MRP) to enter the US on a one time basis. This will be extended to travelers for a 6 month period beginning October 26, 2004. The only VWP countries who will not be afforded the one time exception are Andorra, Brunei, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, and Belgium (MRP or visas are required for these visitors, including children).
Travelers entering the US without a MRP who plan to make an incidental trip to Canada, Mexico, or the adjacent islands as part of their trip to the US, should be advised that once they leave the US they may not be allowed to reenter without a MRP.
Countries Eligible for U.S. Visa Waiver Program are listed below:
| Andorra |
Iceland |
Norway |
| Australia |
Ireland |
Portugal |
| Austria |
Italy |
San Marino |
| Belgium |
Japan |
Singapore |
| Brunei |
Liechtenstein |
Slovenia |
| Denmark |
Luxembourg |
Spain |
| Finland |
Monaco |
Sweden |
| France |
The Netherlands |
Switzerland |
| Germany |
New Zealand |
United Kingdom |
Countries in bold currently require machine readable passports.
Countries in plain text will require machine readable passports on October 26, 2004. Citizens of these countries may be permitted to visit the US without a MRP or visa, one time only, upon payment of a fee to the US government.
To learn more, or to apply for a non-immigrant visa, please visit the U.S. Department of State website at www.travel.state.gov
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Documentation Requirements to Enter Canada
Canadian Permanent Resident Card (Non-Canadian Permanent Residents of Canada):
The permanent resident (PR) card is a wallet-sized, plastic status card that replaces the paper IMM 1000 Record of Landing document. The PR card will be the proof of status document required by permanent residents seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier.
For more information please contact: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pr-card/index.html.
US Citizens Traveling to Canada from the U.S.
You will need proof of U.S. citizenship such as:
(a) your U.S. passport,
(b) original or certified copy of your birth certificate, plus photo identification.
For information on obtaining a U.S. passport, click here
Visas are not required for U.S. tourists entering Canada from the U.S. for stays up to 180 days.
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. U.S. citizens should use their U.S. passports when entering or leaving the U.S. Please contact the Canadian Embassy at http://www.canadianembassy.org/ for further information.
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International Travel With Minors (including Canada & Mexico)
Due to international concern over child abduction, many governments have initiated additional requirements at arrival and departure points when children under 18 years old are not traveling with both parents. Many countries require documentary evidence of the adults' relationship and permission of the parent(s) or legal guardian before they will allow the child to cross the border. Single parents, grandparents, or guardians traveling with children often need proof of custody or notarized letters from the other parent authorizing travel. These requirements are in addition to passport or proof of citizenship requirements.
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.
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