Do You Need A Passport To Go To Canada? A Complete Guide to Entering Canada

Last Updated 5 years ago

This is the complete guide to entering Canada so you can present the correct documents when you arrive at immigration. Canada has strict border enforcement policies which can impact your ability to enter the country.

Do You Need a Passport to go to Canada?

Canadian law requires that all persons must have a valid passport to enter Canada. Your passport must be a minimum of 6 months before the expiry date. The passport needs to be in good condition with no tears or stains. If you're arriving in Canada on a visa, your passport must have at least one blank page.

The only exemption to this requirement is children under the age of 16 from the U.S.A will only need to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. U.S citizens can also present a Nexus card or Passport Card for entry into Canada.

Do You Need a Passport to go to Canada by Car?

U.S.A citizens by birthright do not need a passport to enter Canada by car. While a passport is be the easiest and most secure way to enter Canada, you may be able to use a combination of documents that prove your citizenship such as your birth certificate and drivers license. A passport is strongly recommended by the Canadian Border Services Agency.

Tip: Always check with your local government before booking a trip as entry requirements can change.

How Long Can You Stay In Canada?

Most visitors from visa exempt countries can stay for up to 180 days in Canada.

Which countries Do NOT Need a Visa to Enter Canada?

IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT: All persons from visa EXEMPT countries that are arriving in Canada by AIR must have Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). You can apply online for an ETA here.

Andorra
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
British citizen
British National (Overseas)
British overseas citizen (re-admissible to the United Kingdom)
British overseas territory citizen with citizenship through birth, descent, naturalization or registration in one of the British overseas territories of:
- Anguilla
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
- Gibraltar
- Montserrat
- Pitcairn Island
- Saint Helena
- Turks and Caicos Islands
British Subject with a right of abode in the United Kingdom
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Chile
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, must have a passport issued by Hong Kong SAR.
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel, must have a national Israeli passport
Italy
Japan
Republic of Korea
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Mexico
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Papua New Guinea
Poland
Portugal
Romania (electronic passport holders only)
Samoa
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan, must have an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes the personal identification number
United Arab Emirates
United States, lawful permanent resident of
Vatican City State, must have a passport or travel document issued by the Vatican

Source: Canadian Gorvenment

Which Countries Need a Visa to Enter Canada?

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil (note: some Brazilian citizens may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements)
British subjects, subject to control
Burkina Faso
Burma (Myanmar)
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon, Republic of
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
China, People's Republic of
Colombia
Comoros
Congo, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Republic of
Costa Rica, Republic of
Cuba
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel, must have a valid Israeli “Travel Document in lieu of National Passport”
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea, North
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Macao Special Administrative Region
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives Islands
Mali
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Micronesia, Fed. States
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestinian Authority
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Qatar
Romania (holder of a non-electronic passport, such as a temporary passport)
Russia
Rwanda
Sao Tomé e Principe
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines (St. Vincent)
Sudan
Surinam
Swaziland
Syria
Taiwan, must have a passports other than ordinary passports issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that include their personal identification number
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

IMPORTANT NOTE: You do NOT require an Electronic Travel Authroization ETA if you have a valid visa for Canada.

Top Tips For Crossing The Canada Border

Always be respectful, friendly and patient during inspection. Being rude, obnoxious or angry will slow the entry process and may have you going through additional security screening procedures.
Always have your travel documents ready to present to border officer
Research what items you are not allowed to bring to Canada
Do not wear sunglasses or a hat while being questioned
Do not carry any illegal items or transport bags for others unless you know the contents
Declare any firearms with appropriate paperwork
Always be honest when questioned

Crossing the Canadian Border with Cannibis

The use of recreational cannibis is now legal in Canada, however transporting it across the border is still ILLEGAL.

According to the Canadian government website “Taking cannabis or any product containing cannabis into Canada is illegal and can result in serious criminal penalties both at home and abroad. This is the case even if you are travelling from places that have legalized or decriminalized cannabis. Transporting cannabis used for medical purposes is also illegal.”

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