Does an American need a Passport to visit Canada?

Answer 1

Only if you are flying.

If you are coming by land or water this year, your drivers license and a birth certificate is all you need. But next year you need a passport.

Edit: You are getting the usual bad advice. The rules that went into effect this year only dealt with flying. Rules for driving go into effect sometime next year.

I travel across the border several times a year, including this year. Contrary to everyone's beliefs, there is little difference between coming or going. Canada does not believe in inheriting other countries problems. IF customs thinks you can't get back home and you would be stuck in Canada, they don't let you in to begin with. So saying you need a passport for one part of the journey is bogus.

Answer 2

Sort of.

To come "to" Canada, nothing has changed. Just your basic proof of citizenship (birth certificate) and government issued photo ID. (drivers license)

What confuses people is the return to the USA...or as the WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) calls it "entry or re-entry" to the USA.

If you are flying back to the USA ("re-entry" because in your case you started your journey in the USA) you have required a valid passport since January 23, 2007. This same "re-entry" for land or water travel doesn't come into effect until January 2008. (at the earliest)

Some people have mentioned the border services have asked for a passport at land crossings. Sure...a passport makes things "easier" but is not required. That is like me asking for a Mastercard when you buy clothes at the store...you can still use cash. It is just a "prefered" option...one that you "may" use. To a border service guard, a passport will make ease of verifying you. A passport office has already some of the checks & balances he would perform with your drivers license & birth certificate. (which is why you need those documents to receive a passport)

In terms of Juan's answer where he says Canada border agents dont want to inherit Americans when they can't go back...I quoted the WHTI. I also would say that it isn't up to a CANADIAN border guard to enforce an AMERICAN law. (which is what WHTI is)

Here is what the Travel State site says...notice how it is talks about entering the USA

Background

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to develop and implement a plan to require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike, to present a passport or other document, or a combination of documents, that denote identity and citizenship when entering the United States. Congress amended portions of the Act in 2006. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is the Administration’s proposed plan to implement this mandate.

The goal of the Initiative is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized, secure and reliable documentation which will allow the Department of Homeland Security to quickly, reliably and accurately identify a traveler."

Answer 3

You do not need a passport to enter Canada as many Americans enter the country via the NEXUS program (which is a passport free entry program that visitors' are identified by an iris scan), HOWEVER you will need one to return to the USA if you are returning to the country aboard an airplane. The U.S. does allow for Americans/Canadians to return to the USA with just a driver's license and birth certificate, but this exception will be terminated shortly.

Answer 4

When you enter Canada, a border services officer may ask to see your passport and a valid visa, when necessary. If you are a citizen of the United States, you do not need a passport to enter Canada; however, you should carry proof of your citizenship such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization or a Certificate of Indian Status, as well as a photo ID. If you are a permanent resident of the United States, you must bring your permanent resident card (i.e. green card) with you. For more information on admissibility into Canada, read the fact sheet called Managing Access to Canada. It is available on our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca.

http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html


Passports Required for Air Travel to United States as of January 23, 2007



The Departments of State and Homeland Security announced today that the requirement for citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to present a passport to enter the United States when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere will begin on January 23, 2007.

This change in travel document requirements is the result of recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which Congress subsequently passed into law in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. These new travel document requirements make up the Departments' Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). In order to obtain national security benefits as quickly as possible, and to expedite the processing of arriving passengers, the plan will be implemented in two phases.

The first phase involves travel by air and requires all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States from within the Western Hemisphere. The final rule for the air phase of the WHTI rule will be published in the Federal Register on November 24, where it can be viewed at www.regulations.gov . That rule is also available on the Department's consular web site, travel.state.gov and on the Department of Homeland Security's web site, www.dhs.gov.

A separate proposed rule addressing land and sea travel will be published at a later date proposing specific requirements for travelers entering the United States through land and sea border crossings. As early as January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea could be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible.

The Department has dedicated additional resources and personnel to meet the increased demand for passports generated by these requirements. In Fiscal Year 2006, the Department issued a record 12.1 million passports to American citizens, and anticipates issuing 16 million passports in Fiscal Year 2007. U.S. citizens can find information about how to apply for a passport at travel.state.gov or by calling 1-877-487-2778.

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2006/1066

Answer 5

Yes you now need an american passport that has a recent picture to enter and leave canada flying or going through the border by car. A drivers license does not do it anymore.

Answer 6

No, you do not need a passport to visit Canada. Just make sure you take proof of citizenship, like DL and birth certificate.

Answer 7

In '04, we went into and out of Canada in Detroit. All we needed was our license and our birth certificates. Anyone under driving age only had to have a birth certificate.

Answer 8

Actually, due to recent changes, we are required to have a Passport for visiting Canada AND Mexico, regardless if it is by air or car.

Answer 9

Yes. A few years ago I drove up there and on the way back in they gave me a hard time until they figured out I was in the military. They were doing background checks on me and everything. The funny thing about it. They guy I was dealing with barely spoke english. I didn't know what the hell he was saying most of the time.

Answer 10

New passports restrictions went into place this year for US travel. Don't leave without a Passport unless you don't want to get back in ;)