Trip Planning

Wondering about passport requirements?

Visitors from the United States:

Land Border US Visitors To Canada

1. Be prepared to verify your Citizenship (place of birth)

Acceptable documents proving citizenship include any of the following:

1. -  U.S. passport
2. -  Certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the city, county or state in the U.S. where you were born.
3. -  Naturalized U.S. citizens who do not have a passport should travel with their naturalization certificates.  Alien permanent residents of the U.S. must present their Alien Registration Card, commonly called a “Green Card”.
4. -  single parents, grandparents, or guardians traveling with children should carry proof of custody or notarized letters from the other parent authorizing travel
5. -  children travelling alone should carry a letter from his/her parent or guardian authorizing the trip

NOTE:  A driver’s license, voter’s registration card or Social Security card is NOT valid proof of citizenship

2. Be prepared to verify your Identity (photo I.D.)

Acceptable documents proving identity include the following:

1. -  current, valid driver’s license
2. -  U.S. passport
3. - NEXUS card holders are pre-approved by providing proof of citizenship, identity and residency ahead of time.  The card holder is deemed to be low-risk and will enjoy expedited border crossing at specified NEXUS traffic lanes at the most frequented border crossings.  Cards must be renewed after 5 years.  This program is a partnership program between Canada and US border agencies.   Note that each person in the vehicle will have to have a valid NEXUS card for the vehicle to access these special lanes.  US and Canadian citizens can apply for NEXUS by contacting http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/frequent_traveler/nexus_prog/ or http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/travel/nexus/menu-e.html
   

1. Effective January 23, 2007 all Canadian and U.S. citizens travelling by air between the US and Canada must have a valid passport or NEXUS card to enter (or re-enter) the United States.
2. Effective June 8, 2007, US Citizens travelling to Canada who have applied for but not yet received passports can temporarily enter and depart from the US by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through SEPTEMBER 30, 2007.  Children under the age of 16 travelling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child’s proof of application.  US citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html
3. For more information on the passport reprieve, go to http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

Visitors from Europe
European passport holders do not require a visa to visit Canada. All you need is a valid passport, a return ticket and sufficient funds to support yourself and your dependents during your stay in Canada. European visitors to Canada who wish to also visit the United States must possess valid passports to be admitted; residents of Portugal are further required to have a visa.

Visitors from Other Countries
International travellers require a valid passport and may require a visa to enter or transit Canada. To see whether you require a visa, visit the Canada site for more information on visa requirements. International travellers who wish to find out about Canadian customs regulations should visit the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency website.

International travellers who wish to enter Canada through the United States must also carry a valid passport and may require a visa, which they should obtain from a Canadian Embassy or Consulate outside Canada. Those in this category should check with an office of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service before they enter Canada.

Entry into Canada for Foreign Nationals with Criminal Convictions or Equivalent
As of June 28, 2002, the implementation of the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act changed the rules affecting the admissibility into Canada of foreign nationals who have criminal convictions in Canada or abroad or who have committed criminal acts outside Canada. These include offences that are considered criminal in Canada, such as driving while under the influence of a substance such as alcohol, even if the offence was not considered a felony or criminal offence in the country where it was committed.

For more information about these very important changes, please consult the Canadian Tourism Commission Website , your nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate.

Travellers Bringing Children
Travellers visiting Canada with children should carry the following:
• identification for each child similar to identification described for adults
• a letter of permission from the parents of any children accompanying them for whom they do not have legal custody
Please note: Divorced parents with shared custody rights should carry legal documents establishing their status. Unaccompanied children should carry a letter of permission from their parents or a legal guardian.

Studying or Working in Canada
If you are planning to study or work in Canada, contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate for a copy of the brochure called Entering Canada to Study or Work.

General entry into Canada
Although it is rare, immigration officials may prevent the entry of visitors:
• who appear to pose a health risk
• those they doubt will be able to support themselves and their dependents in Canada
• whose willingness and means to return to the U.S. is in doubt - for example, those who do not have a passport

As well, those admissible to Canada must not have a criminal record. This includes any convictions for driving while intoxicated.

If you have questions about your admissibility to enter Canada, contact your nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate for consultation.

More Questions?
Consult the Canada Site, Canada Border Service Agency and Citizenship & Immigration Canada for more details.

Visit our Travel Tips section for additional information about: travelling with children, student visas and working visas, health certificates, and more.