Canadian Citizens

Travel Documents

Canadian citizens do not currently require a passport to enter the United States from Canada. In order to enter the U.S. from Canada or elsewhere in the Western Hemisphere, Canadian travelers only need to show evidence of citizenship (a Canadian birth certificate, passport, or Certificate of Citizenship) and photo identification.

Canadian citizens are required to present a valid passport when entering the United States from outside of the Western Hemisphere.

See proposed changes to travel document requirements that will take effect during the next three years.

Visitors may also be asked to show commitments in Canada, such as proof of employment or proof of residence. Business travelers should be prepared to explain and document the nature of their business activities in the United States. In addition, applicants for entry into the US must have evidence that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in the U.S. and that they intend to return to Canada at the end of such stay. Determination of eligibility to be admitted into the U.S. is made by the Department of Homeland Security inspectors at the port of entry.

Visa Exemptions

Canadian citizens do not require visas to enter the U.S., except when coming as immigrants (permanent residents), or in the following non-immigrant categories: Diplomatic ("A" and "G" visas), Treaty Trader/ Treaty Investor ("E" visas), Fiancé(e) of U.S. citizens ("K1/K2" visas), or spouse of a U.S. citizen (K3/K4 visas).

Canadian citizens do not require visas to study in the United States. If you plan to study, you should go directly to the border or the airport with proof of Canadian citizenship, the I-20 form issued by the school which has accepted you for admission (or Form DS-2019 in the case of a person going as an exchange visitor), and evidence of means of support. The educational institution in the U.S. should be able to answer all questions related to entering the U.S. For further details, please contact the International Student Office of the school you wish to attend. As with all non-immigrant visitors to the United States, foreign students must be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspector at the time of entry that their stay in the United States is not permanent in nature, and that they intend to return to a residence outside of the United States upon completion of their education.

Canadian citizens who have been approved for temporary employment in the H, L, O, P, Q, or R nonimmigrant categories, should proceed to Customs and Border Protection at a port of entry with a Notice of Approval Form I-797.

For more information or to make a non-immigrant visa interview appointment, please dial 1.900.451.2778 from Canada or 1.900.443.3131 from the United States (both numbers charge a fee).

Note: Many office phones and all pay phones and cell phones are set to block calls to 900 numbers. To charge fees to your credit card, please call 1.888.840.0032 from Canada or the U.S.

It is also possible to make an appointment online by visiting the Visa Appointment Reservation System website. A fee will be charged to your credit card for use of this system.

NAFTA

Canadians who wish to work in the U.S. under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) should call the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at either the Champlain, NY, port of entry (518.298.3221) or at Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau Airport (514.631.2097). More information is also available from the Department of State.