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Travel and identification documents for entering Canada
From: Canada Border Services Agency
October 1, 2022 : COVID-19 emergency border measures ended
Refer to COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders for details.
Make sure you carry proper identification for yourself and any children or minors travelling with you.
Residents or visitors flying into Canada
Your airline carrier will ask you for travel and identification documents before allowing you to board the aircraft. Being allowed to board does not mean you have the right or will be authorized to enter Canada. A border services officer will determine whether you can enter Canada when you arrive, by confirming your identity and citizenship.
More information
- Pre-boarding identification requirements
- Find out if you can enter Canada
Residents returning to Canada
Planning travel to Canada? Visit COVID-19 : Entering Canada requirements checklist for information about quarantine and your admissibility to Canada.
Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered under the Indian Act enter Canada by right. However, returning residents must still demonstrate to a border services officer that they meet the requirements for entering Canada. The officer will confirm your identity and your right to enter Canada through questioning and/or by verifying your documents.
Acceptable documents to denote identity and citizenship
If you have a Canadian passport
Carry a valid Canadian passport for all visits abroad, including visits to the US. It is the only universally accepted identification document and it proves that you have a right to return to Canada.
If you don’t have a Canadian passport
Oher acceptable documents that support identity and/or citizenship include, but are not limited to:
- Canadian emergency travel document
- Canadian temporary passport
- CANPASS authorization, held by a Canadian citizen
- Commercial driver registration program card, held by a Canadian citizen
- FAST card (Free and Secure Trade), held by a Canadian citizen
- NEXUS card, held by a Canadian citizen
- Canadian permanent residence card
- Canadian citizenship card
- Certificate of Canadian citizenship (issued from 1954 to present)
- Certificate of Canadian citizenship (large form issued between January 1, 1947 , to February 14, 1977 )
- Certificate of retention (issued between January 1, 1947 , and February 14, 1977 )
- Certificate of naturalization (issued before January 1, 1947 )
- Registration of birth abroad certificate (issued between January 1, 1947 , and February 14, 1977 , by Canadian citizenship authorities)
- Birth certificate (individuals born in Canada)
- Driver's license
- Enhanced driver's license
- Enhanced identification/photo card
- Health insurance card
- Identity card
- Vehicle registration
- Canadian Forces identification
- Employment or student card with photo and signature
- Police identification
- Firearms acquisition certificate
- Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) card or Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) card
- Vehicle insurance certificate
Permanent residents of Canada who are members of the NEXUS or FAST programs must travel with a passport and proof of permanent residence , and may be asked to present these documents to the officer upon arrival at the border.
Every person registered under the Indian Act can enter and remain in Canada by right as per subsection A19(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act . The Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS), more commonly referred to as the Status card, is an identity document issued by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada confirming that the cardholder is registered as a Status Indian under the Indian Act .
Note: The Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) was replaced by the SCIS in 2019. Although both CIS and SCIS cards can be presented at the border to confirm status and right of entry (including expired CIS cards), we highly recommend travellers obtain a new SCIS .
If you plan to travel to or transit through the US , we encourage you to visit the US Customs and Border Protection website for information concerning the US Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, and the requirements to enter or return to the US .
For information on Canada- US border-crossing issues, visit Crossing the Canada- US border with a status card .
- Canadian permanent residents
- Dual citizens
Indigenous travelers from the US
Indigenous Peoples from the US with family in Canada may now qualify for temporary border mobility measures . To find out if you are eligible to apply, visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Temporary measures to reunite families of Indigenous Peoples separated by Canada’s border .
Indigenous travellers from the U.S. who have been approved for these temporary measures and have their port of entry letter of introduction, need to bring the following documents when they arrive at the border:
- your passport or any official document used to travel (this is a requirement for everyone travelling)
- your port of entry letter (this is a requirement for anyone who applied for a work or study permit)
- the document you used to prove that you are a member of a federally recognized tribe in the United States, or a citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation
- the proof you used to establish your relationship to the anchor member of your family in Canada
- a signed letter of authorization for unaccompanied minors (optional, but recommended)
- a signed Custodian Declaration Form (IMM 5646) for minors studying alone (optional, but recommended)
Persons registered under the Indian Act have the right to enter and remain in Canada, and have the option of using their Status Card when crossing the border.
International visitors to Canada
Check Travel health measures
All international travellers must carry acceptable identification when entering Canada. A passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document when abroad.
Before making travel plans, learn about entry requirements by country .
What you need will depend on:
- where you are from
- how you are travelling
- what documents you are travelling with
In addition to your passport, you may need a travel authorization such as a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada.
Consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website to learn which authorization you need:
- Find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada
- Find out if you are eligible for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Be prepared: Apply for an eTA before you book your flight to Canada. Most applicants get approved within minutes. However, some applications can take several days to process so don’t wait until the last minute.
Fake websites
Travellers who apply for an eTA are advised to be cautious in all dealings with companies that claim to offer help in getting an eTA . These companies are not operating on behalf of the Government of Canada. Many have established websites that charge a fee to provide information and submit eTA applications.
This Government of Canada website is the official place to apply for an Electronic Travel Application .
US citizens or permanent residents
If you are a US citizen or permanent resident, you must carry proof of citizenship such as a:
- birth certificate
- certificate of citizenship or naturalization
- certificate of Indian Status along with photo identification
- US Permanent Resident Card
If you are a US permanent resident, ensure you carry proof of your status such as a US Permanent Resident Card.
Travel with children and minors
When travelling with a minor, you should:
- carry copies of any legal custody documents, such as custody rights, if applicable
- arrive at the border in the same vehicle as the minor
- you share custody of the minor and the other parent or legal guardian is not travelling with you
- you are not the parent or legal guardian of the minor
A consent letter must include the custodial parents' or legal guardians':
- telephone number
Border services officers are always watching for missing children and may ask questions about minors travelling with you.
To avoid delays, have your consent letter notarized to support its authenticity. For more information on consent letters and to download an interactive form, visit Recommended consent letter for children travelling abroad .
- Children and travel
- Our Missing Children program
Related links
- Travelling with animals
- Lost, stolen, seized, inaccessible or damaged passports
- Programs for trusted travellers
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Entry requirements by country or territory
You need to give your biometrics.
In most cases, you now need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply.
Find out who needs to give biometrics .
What you need will depend on where you are from, how you are travelling, and what documents you are travelling with.
On this page
Canadian citizens, canadian permanent residents, u.s. citizens, lawful permanent residents of the u.s., eta exemptions, visa-required travellers, workers and students.
- Visiting your children and grandchildren in Canada
Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, need a valid Canadian passport . American-Canadians can travel with a valid Canadian or U.S. passport.
Canadian permanent residents need a valid permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document .
U.S. citizens must carry proper identification such as a valid U.S. passport.
As of April 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents of the United States must show these 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 (or equivalent valid proof of status in the United States)
You need an official proof of status as a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., such as one of the following:
- valid permanent resident card (Form I-551)
- foreign passport with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (also known as an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication [ADIT] stamp)
- foreign passport with a temporary I-551 printed notation (“Upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year”) on a machine-readable immigrant visa upon endorsement with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection admission stamp
- expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) or Form I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status)
- expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card [Green Card])
- valid re-entry permit (Form I-327)
- Form I-94 with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (ADIT stamp) and a passport-style photo
Visa-exempt (eTA eligible) travellers
The following travellers need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to board their flight to Canada. However, these travellers do not need an eTA if entering by land or sea – for instance driving from the U.S. or coming by bus, train, or boat, including cruise ship.
- British citizen
- British National (Overseas)
- British overseas citizen (re-admissible to the United Kingdom)
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
- Pitcairn Island
- Saint Helena
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- British Subject with a right of abode in the United Kingdom
- Brunei Darussalam
- Czech Republic
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, must have a passport issued by Hong Kong SAR.
- Israel, must have a national Israeli passport
- Republic of Korea
- Liechtenstein
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Romania ( electronic passport holders only )
- Solomon Islands
- 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
- Vatican City State, must have a passport or travel document issued by the Vatican.
Electronic passport holders only
Look on the front cover of your passport for the symbol of a rectangle with a circle in the middle. If you see this symbol, you have an electronic passport.
Foreign nationals with official Canadian documents
- Travellers with a valid Canadian visa.
- Travellers with valid status in Canada (e.g. visitor, student or worker) who re-enters Canada after only visiting the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon.
Foreign nationals in the following situations
- French citizens who live in Saint Pierre and Miquelon and are flying directly to Canada from St. Pierre and Miquelon.
- Foreign nationals who are passengers destined to, or coming from, the United States on a flight that stops in Canada solely to refuel and
- have proper documents to enter the United States, or
- were lawfully admitted to the United States.
- Foreign nationals who are passengers on a flight that makes an unscheduled stop in Canada.
- Foreign nationals who transit through a Canadian airport under the Transit Without Visa or China Transit Program .
Travel and official representatives
- Flight crew, civil aviation inspectors, accident investigators who are or will be working while in Canada.
- Members of Armed Forces (not including the civilian component of an armed forces) of a country designated under the Visiting Forces Act coming to Canada to carry out official duties.
- Diplomats accredited by the Government of Canada.
The following travellers need a visa to come to Canada by any method of travel—plane, car, bus, train or cruise ship.
Note: Holders of a foreign national passport and stateless individuals need a visa to visit or transit through Canada.
- Afghanistan
- Antigua and Barbuda (Some citizens of Antigua and Barbuda may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements .)
- Argentina (Some citizens of Argentina may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements .)
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Brazil (Some citizens of Brazil may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements .)
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon, Republic of
- Central African Republic
- China, People's Republic of
- Congo, Democratic Republic of
- Congo, Republic of
- Costa Rica, Republic of (Some citizens of Costa Rica may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements .)
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Israel (Travellers must have a valid Israeli “Travel Document in lieu of National Passport.”)
- Ivory Coast
- Korea, North
- Macao Special Administrative Region
- Maldives Islands
- Marshall Islands
- Mexico (Some citizens of Mexico may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements .)
- Micronesia, Fed. States
- Morocco (Some citizens of Morocco may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements .)
- North Macedonia
- Palestinian Authority
- Panama (Some citizens of Panama may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements .)
- Philippines (Some citizens of the Philippines may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements .)
- Romania (holder of a non-electronic passport, such as a temporary passport)
- Sao Tomé e Principe
- Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of
- Seychelles (Some citizens of the Seychelles may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements .)
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- St. Kitts and Nevis (Some citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements .)
- St. Lucia (Some citizens of St. Lucia may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements .)
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines (St. Vincent) (Some citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements .)
- Taiwan (Travellers must have a passport other than an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes the personal identification number.)
- Thailand (Some citizens of Thailand may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements .)
- Timor-Leste
- Trinidad and Tobago (Some citizens of Trinidad and Tobago may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements .)
- Turkmenistan
- Uruguay (Some citizens of Uruguay may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements .)
If you’re a worker or student, you must also meet Canada’s entry requirements. A work permit or study permit is not a visa. In most cases, you’ll also need a valid visitor visa or eTA to enter Canada.
If you’re applying for your first study or work permit
We’ll automatically issue you a visa or eTA if you need one and we approve your application. When you travel to Canada make sure you have:
- your letter of introduction
- if you’re visa-required, it must contain the visa sticker that we put in it
- if you need an eTA and you’re flying to a Canadian airport, it must be the passport that’s electronically link to your eTA.
If you already have a work or study permit
If you’re visa-required, make sure that your visitor visa is still valid if you choose to leave Canada and re-enter.
If you need an eTA and you’re flying to a Canadian airport, make sure you travel with the passport that’s electronically linked to your eTA.
You must travel with your valid study or work permit, a valid passport and travel document.
If you’re eligible to work or study without a permit
If you’re eligible to work or study without a permit, you’re considered a visitor to Canada. You must meet the entry requirements for travellers from your country of citizenship.
Visiting your child or grandchild in Canada
If you’re the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible for a super visa . A super visa lets you visit your child or grandchild in Canada for 5 years at a time. Additionally, this visa allows for multiple entries to Canada and is valid for up to 10 years.
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