What Do I Need to Get Into Canada From USA?

If an American citizen is interested in traveling to Canada, the first requirement is proper identification. A valid US passport is the ideal ID as it can be used at any Canadian land border or airport. People traveling with a valid United States passport do not need a Canadian visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). When entering Canada by land or sea, Americans may also be able to use certain alternative documents that establish both their identity and US citizenship.

If a person wants to fly into Canada, a valid American passport is the only ID in the world that allows a foreign national to board a flight into Canada without the need for an eTA. Air travel to Canada is not possible with an ordinary driver's license, REAL ID, Enhanced Driver's License, or a passport card, only a valid passport (passport book) can be used. This being said, there are additional options when driving into Canada or taking a cruise into the country. It is possible to enter Canada via land border with a valid US passport, a valid US passport card, or a valid Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) from Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, or Washington State. A standard driver's license or REAL ID should not be confused with an EDL and is not recognized by Canada as a border crossing document.

Admissibility to Canada

In addition to have a proper identification, another major requirement to cross the Canadian border from America is that the traveler must be admissible to Canada. If a visitor has a past DUI or other criminal history it is very possible that Canadian border agents will determine the individual is inadmissible and deny entry on grounds of criminality. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has direct access to the FBI criminal database. Consequently, when you hand over your ID at the border they can instantly detect a past misdemeanor or felony even if it happened a long time ago. Driving under the influence is a serious crime north of the border, so CBSA agents can view an incident related to alcohol and driving almost like a felony. Even a reckless driving or a non-criminal offense for drinking and driving, such as OWI in Wisconsin or DWAI in New York State, can cause a person to be refused admittance.

If you are inadmissible to Canada due to a past misdemeanor or felony in the United States, it is possible to apply for special permission to enter the country:

• A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) is an entry waiver that can overcome a criminal history but requires a strong reason for travel such as work/business or visiting close family. It is possible to request a Canadian TRP for up to three years.
• Criminal Rehabilitation is a permanent pardon that can enable an American with a past misdemeanor or felony record to freely visit as often as they want, but you are only eligible to apply if all court requirements were completed more than five years ago.

If someone was arrested or charged with a crime but never convicted, it might be possible to argue they are admissible but an experienced Canadian immigration lawyer should be consulted.

Want to visit Canada but have a past DUI or other criminal history? Contact our team today for a free consultation!

Purpose of Travel

In addition to having proper ID and being fully admissible, an American seeking entry into Canada as a visitor must also convince the border officer they are genuinely coming to Canada temporarily. The officer can evaluate the purpose and expected length of the trip, as well as the person's ties to the United States such as employment, financial assets, family, and living situation. A traveler may therefore be asked about where they are staying, how long they intend to remain in Canada, and when they plan to return home. Someone who appears to be moving to Canada or planning to remain indefinitely could be refused entry without the appropriate immigration authorization.

Sufficient Resources

One other important requirement for entering Canada is being able to demonstrate you have sufficient resources for your trip. Depending on the circumstances, CBSA authorities could ask about accommodations, available funds, return travel plans, or other details supporting the stated purpose of your visit. If you are planning a long visit to Canada and are concerned that border agents might think you are trying to live there indefinitely, it can be smart to bring evidence of an apartment lease or mortgage in USA, or other documentation such as proof you have a US-based job. This can be extra important if you are visiting a girlfriend or boyfriend, as border authorities might be suspicious about how long you plan to stay. Ultimately, having a US passport does not guarantee admission, Canadian border officers have total discretion about who they decide to let enter the country.

What Can I Bring Into Canada?

Americans can bring many ordinary personal belongings into Canada, including clothing, luggage, electronics, fishing rods, and other recreational equipment, provided they are for personal use and will generally leave Canada with the visitor. Alcohol can be permitted but must be declared and is subject to quantity limits and possible duties or taxes; typical limits for visitors include 1.5 liters of wine, 1.14 liters of spirits, or 8.5 liters of beer. Marijuana is very different: cannabis, including products containing THC, cannot legally be taken across the Canadian border without specific authorization, even though recreational cannabis is legal in Canada and in some US states. Prescription medications for personal use can generally be brought into Canada subject to applicable rules, and travelers should keep them properly labelled and in their original packaging.

Food, meat, produce, plants, bait, and other agricultural products must be declared and may be restricted depending on the product and its origin. Firewood should not be brought across the border unless it meets Canada's strict import requirements, because of the risk of invasive pests. Work tools can also raise questions: ordinary personal tools can be admitted, but tools or equipment that will be used to perform work in Canada must be declared and could lead an officer to scrutinize whether the traveler requires work authorization.

Can I Bring My Gun Across the Canadian Border?

Canada has particularly strict rules concerning guns and other weapons, and all firearms and weapons must be declared at the border. Some ordinary hunting rifles and shotguns are classified as non-restricted firearms and may potentially be brought into Canada by an American who follows the required declaration, licensing, and import procedures. For example: many Americans who enter Canada to hunt bring their own rifle. Restricted and prohibited firearms are subject to much stricter rules, and many cannot be brought across the border by a visitor. Other weapons can also be prohibited, including switchblades and certain other restricted knives, brass knuckles, stun guns and tasers, and pepper spray or mace intended for use against humans. Travelers should not assume that an item legal to possess in their home state is legal to bring into Canada. Failure to declare a firearm or weapon can result in its seizure and potentially criminal charges, so anyone planning to cross the border with a gun, knife, or other weapon should verify its Canadian classification before traveling.

Can My Child Enter Canada?

For American children, Canada recommends a valid passport regardless of age, although at a land border a United States birth certificate or other documentation establishing the child's identity and citizenship might be accepted. Parents should also carry relevant custody documents, and a child traveling without both parents should generally have a consent letter from the absent parent or legal guardian.