US CITIZENS VISITING CANADA AND CANADIAN CITIZENS VISITING THE USA

US Citizens: What Do I Need to Know to Travel to Canada?
(02/28/2003)
The following only applies when traveling directly from the U.S. to Canada!

U.S. Citizen
A US citizen will be required by the Government of Canada to prove that he/she is a citizen of the US. This proof may be a birth record, baptismal record, passport, Certificate of Citizenship, or Certificate of Naturalization. Often, native born US citizens will be allowed to enter Canada with just another photo identification document, like a drivers license, because the officer believes an oral declaration of US citizenship. A voter registration is NOT proof of US citizenship for legal reasons too lengthy to be of concern. Do not be shocked when an immigration officer tells you that after you present that document.

Evidence of the reason for your travel to Canada may also be requested. If you are a tourist, explain where you will travel, for how long, and be ready to show any advance reservations for your stay. If you are a business visitor, state what the nature of your business is, where you will go, what companies you will see, and be ready to show any letters from prior contacts with those companies. If you are entering for employment purposes, you should have done your homework and have the necessary papers preapproved, or be entering under the NAFTA Trade Agreement. You do not want to be caught unprepared at the border and be refused admission or even arrested in extreme cases. None of this is to say that you will need to actually present any documentation of these things. Oral declarations will sometimes be sufficient. But you should be ready, if asked. NOTE: always carry photo identification with you.

For more complete information of entry rules, employment, customs regulations, you may wish to visit the Government of Canada site.

U.S. Permanent Residents
A Permanent Resident or holder of the immigration "greencard" needs to present a valid card to the Canadian authorities when trying to enter. Other than this fact, you will be treated just like a US citizen and expected to produce the same proof of travel reason.

For more complete information of entry rules, employment, customs regulations, you may wish to visit the Government of Canada site.

Nonimmigrants in the US
If you are in a legal nonimmigrant status in the US, the Canadians will generally welcome you. You may be required to present a passport and visa, depending on your country of citizenship. You should contact the Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC to determine what exact entry requirements you must meet. Their number for immigration and customs issues is 202-682-1760. Or visit their website at http://www.canadianembassy.org/splash/. One special requirement often requested of nonimmigrants is the ability to show that you have the appropriate documentation to return to the US. That will generally be a valid passport, INS Form I-94 that has not expired or will not expire during your visit to Canada, a valid visa, and any other reentry papers needed (such as a Form I-20 for F/M students.)

For more complete information of entry rules, employment, customs regulations, you may wish to visit the Government of Canada site.

General Information
Many of your questions can be answered on the websites listed or through an extensive touchtone retrieval system of the Canadian Embassy at (202) 682-1760

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Canadian Citizens: What Do I Need to Know to Travel to USA?

The requirements of U.S. authorities for identification upon entering the United States have recently become much stricter. The most important formality on entering the United States is providing proof of your Canadian citizenship. In order to avoid possible problems, all Canadians should carry a Canadian passport for all visits to the United States. Your Canadian passport is the best document to prove your Canadian citizenship and your right to return to Canada.

All carriers (noticeably airlines, but also rail and bus services) have become much stricter about requiring proof of admissibility to Canada as a result of the heavy fines they face for carrying inadmissible passengers. Since birth and baptismal certificates, for example, do not have photographs, they are no longer accepted without accompanying valid photo identification. Even carriers taking Canadians from Canada to the United States on roundtrip tickets have refused to return them to Canada without valid photo identification and proof of Canadian citizenship.