Travelling to Canada

Travelling to Canada

If you are not a Canadian citizen, find out what documents you need to enter Canada. Then discover the places you can visit while you are here.

To limit the further spread of COVID-19 in Canada, border restrictions are in place for all travellers entering Canada. Visit COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders to find out if you can enter Canada.

Travel documents for non-Canadians entering Canada

Passports and travel documents

Use a passport for international travel. It is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document.

Permanent residents of Canada should have their Permanent Resident Card with them when they travel to Canada by public transit (plane, train, bus or boat) or when they transit through a Canadian airport.

Citizens and permanent residents of the United States

Citizens of the United States need a valid U.S. passport to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport.

Citizens of the United States coming to Canada by car, bus, train or boat need to carry proper identification and meet the basic requirements to enter Canada.

Citizens of the United States who are also Canadian citizens should bring a valid Canadian passport and a valid U.S. passport or travel document to board a flight from the Unites States to Canada. Carrying both documents may help simplify both your entry into Canada and your return to the United States.

Permanent residents of the United States need a valid Alien Registration Card and a passport to enter Canada.

Dual citizens

Dual Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport to board a flight to, or transit through, Canada by air.

If your other country of citizenship needs you to enter and exit that country using a passport issued by its government, you will still need a valid Canadian passport to board your flight to Canada. Make sure you carry both passports when you travel.

Visitor visas and Electronic Travel Authorizations

Most non-Canadians need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada, but not both. Some people may only need their valid passport.

Find out if you need a visa or an eTA to enter Canada

You may need to get a visa before arriving in Canada. Visas are issued by Canadian government offices abroad. Not all of these offices have visa officers, but those that do not will direct you to the nearest visa office.

If you don't need a visa to travel to Canada, you will likely need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through, a Canadian airport.

Find out about Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Visiting Canada

Canadian Tourism Commission logo If you are planning to visit Canada, Destination Canada provides information about planning a trip, from booking resources to getting around while you are here. It also has information on where to go and what to see and do, so you can make the most of your stay.

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