I'm an ordinary American. What do I need to visit Canada and how long can I stay? Visa? Passport? Thank you.

Answer 1

Okay, it would help to know your plans and specific situation to advise you, but I will try to fill in the blanks a bit.

1) To cross the border, you need photo I.D. and proof of citizenship if crossing by land or sea; and a passport if traveling by air.

2) You do not need a visa in most circumstances, and you can stay up to 182 days out of 365 legally.

3) You can not work in Canada without first having a work permit and/or permanent residency. You need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to get a job, similar to a Social Security Card in the U.S.

4) Any health care you need will have to be paid out of pocket, as only permanent residents and citizens qualify for the National Health Care.

5) If you are interested in working in Canada, and/or moving to Canada, then you can find the information here:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/

Answer 2

I live 5 miles from a border crossing into Canada (Michigan) and all that you need to get across the border is a drivers license or some other official picture identification and a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you have a passport, that will suffice also.

As to how long you can stay, it depends on what you are doing in Canada. If you are just going on a vacation, you don't need anything further than the ID listed above. If you are going to stay a long time, serveral weeks or months, you may need a VISA. That you will have to get through the Immigration. I would assume that you have a large town by you and they should have Federal offices in it and you can check there. Or look in your phone book for US Immigration and make a phone call.

Answer 3

Current Requirements for Entry Into Canada

Visas are not required for U.S. citizens entering Canada from the U.S. You will, however, need:

1. proof of your U.S. citizenship such as your U.S. passport (For information on obtaining a U.S. passport, check with one of the regional passport agencies located throughout the U.S.) or certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the city, county or state in the U.S. where you were born. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen and do not have a passport, you should travel with your naturalization certificate. A driver’s license, voter’s registration card or Social Security card is NOT valid proof of citizenship.
2. photo identification, such as a current, valid driver’s license.

All U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid passport. Alien permanent residents of the U.S. must present their Alien Registration Card, commonly called a “Green Card.”

If you are a dual U.S./Canadian citizen you should always present yourself as a Canadian citizen when entering Canada. However, U.S. citizens should use their U.S. passports when entering or leaving the United States.

Due to international concern over child abduction, single parents, grandparents, or guardians traveling with children often need proof of custody or notarized letters from the other parent authorizing travel. (This is in addition to proof of citizenship as explained above.) Any person under the age of 18 and traveling alone should carry a letter from his/her parent or guardian authorizing the trip. Travelers without such documentation may experience delays at the port of entry.

For further information, including information on student or business travel, visitors can contact the Embassy of Canada at 501 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20001, [phone], see their Internet home page at http://www.canadianembassy.org or contact the nearest Canadian consulate. (A list of Canadian consulates is at the end of this brochure.)

Answer 4

You need a passport, and proof of your identity. A birth certificate would be wise to take, along with your driver license. I do not know of time limits for visiting. You will be asked at the border, where you intend on visiting. We just said we were going camping and didn't have an exact location. Returning to the U.S. you will be asked where you went, and do you have anything to declare. You are only allowed a small amount of liquor, for each person in the car. If you go fishing or hunting, you will need to show what you got, and all permits, and licenses. If you have a felony, you will not be allowed into Canada. Proof of car insurance is required both ways also.

Answer 5

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.

but, beware of your means of travel to re-enter the USA:

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 6

You don't need to have visa it's okay, but since you're traveling to Canada I think you need a passport since you're traveling to another country.

Answer 7

Yes but you say you are an ordinary american.

How can we be so sure?