Jazmin Li
Canadian citizens travelling by air to the United States must carry a valid Canadian passport. Dual citizens must travel with either a Canadian or US passport. Canadian permanent residents travelling to the US as non-immigrants must have a valid passport and either a non-immigrant visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Children under 16 only need proof of US citizenship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can Canadians enter the US with a Canadian passport? | Yes, a valid Canadian passport is required for all visits abroad, including visits to the US. |
| Other accepted documents | A valid NEXUS card, used at self-serve kiosks at designated airports; an enhanced driver's license (EDL) or enhanced identification card (EIC) from a province or territory where a U.S.-approved EDL/EIC program has been implemented; a valid non-immigrant visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). |
| Age requirements | Canadian citizens aged 16 years and older must present one of the documents listed above when entering the US by land or water. Children under 16 only need proof of US citizenship. |
| Registration requirements | Canadians and other foreign nationals visiting the US for periods longer than 30 days must be registered with the US government. |
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What You'll Learn
Dual citizens must use a Canadian passport
Canadian citizens travelling by air to the United States must carry a valid Canadian passport. This requirement applies to all Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and children. Dual citizens must use a Canadian passport when travelling to Canada, even for transit purposes.
Canadian citizens aged 16 and above entering the United States by land or water must present one of the following documents: a valid passport, an enhanced driver's licence (EDL), or an enhanced identification card (EIC). These documents must be valid for the duration of the stay. Children under the age of 16 entering by land or water require different documentation, such as a valid passport or a birth certificate.
Permanent residents of Canada who are dual citizens must travel with a passport and proof of permanent residence. They may be asked to present these documents to an officer upon arrival at the border.
It is important to note that Canadian citizens with dual citizenship cannot use certificates of citizenship or other similar documents as proof of Canadian citizenship when travelling by air.
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Permanent residents need a valid PR card
Canadian permanent residents or landed immigrants travelling to the United States need to carry a valid passport and either a valid non-immigrant visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), depending on their citizenship. Permanent residents of Canada who are members of the NEXUS or FAST programs must travel with a passport and proof of permanent residence. They may be asked to present these documents to the officer upon arrival at the border.
Canadian permanent residents/landed immigrants returning to Canada from abroad must carry a valid passport and a valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card (PR Card). Students and temporary workers in Canada who are citizens of a country for which a visa is required to enter Canada must hold a valid visa to return from travel abroad, even if they hold a valid study or work permit.
Permanent residents of Canada who are NEXUS or FAST members, and who are travelling to the US, must carry a passport and proof of permanent residence. They may be asked to present these documents to a border officer upon arrival.
US citizens must carry proper identification, such as a valid US passport, when travelling to Canada. As of April 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents of the US must show the following documents for all methods of travel to Canada: a valid passport from their country of nationality (or an equivalent acceptable travel document) and a valid Green Card/USLPR card.
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Under-16s only need proof of citizenship
Canadian citizens travelling by air to the United States, including children, must present a valid Canadian passport. This is the only universally accepted identification document and it proves that you have a right to return to Canada.
However, according to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), Canadian citizens aged 15 years and under entering the US by land or water are subject to different requirements. Under-16s are not required to present a passport when entering by land or water. Instead, they must provide proof of Canadian citizenship, such as a birth certificate or a citizenship card.
It is important to note that these requirements only apply when entering the US by land or water. All Canadian citizens travelling by air to the US, regardless of age, must hold a valid Canadian passport.
In addition to a passport, Canadian citizens may also need a travel authorization such as a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when entering the US. It is recommended to consult official government sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding travel documents and requirements.
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NEXUS card as valid identification
Canadian citizens travelling by air to the United States must present a valid passport for the duration of their stay. However, a valid NEXUS card can be used as a substitute for a passport at self-serve kiosks at designated airports. NEXUS is a Trusted Traveller program that allows pre-approved, low-risk travellers to expedite the border clearance process when entering Canada and the United States.
NEXUS cardholders can use the designated NEXUS lane and proceed to the inspection booth for a visual inspection. Cardholders may also use facial verification NEXUS kiosks or eGates to enter Canada from anywhere in the world. The NEXUS kiosk or eGate will prompt cardholders to complete several steps, after which they can proceed to baggage claim. If the NEXUS kiosk or eGate cannot verify the cardholder's identity, they will be directed to see an officer for manual verification.
NEXUS cards are considered valid government-issued ID by the TSA at most airports, including for boarding, inspection, and other identity reviews. However, there have been reports of some airports, such as PDX, where the NEXUS card is not accepted as a valid ID. In such cases, cardholders may need to present an alternative form of ID, such as a passport or driver's license.
It is important to note that the NEXUS card cannot be used at Global Entry kiosks or portals outside of Canadian Preclearance locations. Additionally, cardholders travelling with non-NEXUS members must use the regular lanes. Furthermore, NEXUS cards are not valid for Canadian citizens aged 15 or below entering the United States by land or water; these travellers must provide alternative documentation, such as a passport or an enhanced driver's license.
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Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program
Canadian citizens travelling by air to the United States must carry a valid Canadian passport. Other acceptable documents include a valid NEXUS card, used at self-serve kiosks at designated airports, or a Mobile Passport Control app.
If you are transiting through Canada to the United States, you may be eligible for the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program. The TWOV program allows eligible foreign nationals to transit through Canada without a visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). The program currently operates at Toronto Pearson International Airport (Terminal 1 only), Vancouver Airport, and Calgary Airport. To be eligible for the TWOV program, you must remain in a sterile transit area within the Canadian airport while you make your connection to or from the United States. This means you must go directly from your arrival gate to the U.S. connection area, where you will be re-screened for security. After clearing security, you will proceed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, where a border officer will process your entry to the United States. It is important to note that if you are flying through Terminal 3 or need to change terminals between flights, you are not eligible for the TWOV program.
Canadian permanent residents or landed immigrants travelling to the United States as non-immigrants must have a valid passport and either a valid non-immigrant visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), depending on their citizenship. United States Lawful Permanent Residents do not require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to or transit through Canada and must present a valid passport and Green Card/USLPR card. Visa-exempt foreign citizens must have a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to board a flight to Canada.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Canadian citizens can present their passport or a valid NEXUS card at self-serve kiosks at designated airports.
The passport must be valid for the duration of the stay. It is the only universally accepted identification document and proves your right to return to Canada.
Yes, Canadian permanent residents travelling to the US as non-immigrants must have a valid passport and either a valid non-immigrant visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), depending on their citizenship.
Children under 16 only need proof of US citizenship. Canadian citizens aged 15 and under entering the US by land or water require a valid NEXUS card or an enhanced driver's license.
Canadian citizens can use a valid passport, NEXUS card, or an enhanced driver's license when entering the US by land or water.
