US citizens do not need a visa to visit Canada. You can stay for up to 6 months as a visitor without applying for anything in advance.
You also do not need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). That requirement applies to citizens of other visa-exempt countries flying into Canada, but US citizens are specifically excluded.
Source: Canada.ca Entry Requirements.
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. There is no requirement for six months of extra validity beyond your travel dates, but your passport must not expire while you are in Canada.
If you are visiting another country that does require a visa, see our guide on whether visa and passport are the same thing for a clear breakdown.
💡 Tip: Even though no visa is needed, a border officer still decides if you can enter. Have your purpose of visit and accommodation details ready.
In this article…
What Documents Do You Need?
What you need depends on how you are traveling.
By air: A valid US passport is required to fly into Canada. A passport card is not accepted for air travel.
By land or sea: You have more options. US Customs and Border Protection confirms that US citizens can use any of the following to enter Canada at a land or sea crossing:
- Valid US passport
- US passport card
- NEXUS card
- Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL), issued by participating states
- SENTRI or FAST card
Source: U.S. State Department Canada Travel Advisory.
Only a few US states issue Enhanced Driver’s Licenses. As of now, New York, Michigan, Vermont, Washington, and Minnesota offer them. If your state does not issue an EDL, carry your passport or passport card for land crossings.
For frequent cross-border travelers, a NEXUS card gives you access to dedicated fast lanes at land, air, and marine ports. It costs $50 and is valid for 5 years. Processing times currently run 18 to 20 months, so plan ahead.
If you have never traveled internationally before, our page on the difference between a consulate and an embassy may help you understand who handles what.
💡 Tip: Buy travel health insurance before your trip.
Check out popular travel insurance plans and choose one that suits you.
Most plans only cost less than $20 a day.
Entering Canada by Air
When flying into Canada, present your valid US passport at immigration upon landing. You will clear customs and immigration at the Canadian airport.
A border services officer will ask standard questions: purpose of visit, length of stay, accommodation details, and whether you are carrying restricted goods. Answer directly and honestly.
ArriveCAN is no longer mandatory. The app is optional and can be used to submit advance customs declarations at select airports, but it is not required for entry.
Source: Canada Border Services Agency.
💡 Tip: Book a return flight or have proof of onward travel. Border officers may ask when you plan to leave.
Entering Canada by Land
Driving into Canada from the US is straightforward. Stop at the Canadian border checkpoint and present your passport, passport card, or other accepted document to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer.
Expect questions about the purpose of your visit and how long you plan to stay. If you are driving a rental car, bring the rental agreement. Some border agents ask for it.
Wait times at popular crossings like Niagara Falls, Detroit-Windsor, and the Peace Arch in Washington state can stretch during holidays and summer weekends. Check real-time border wait times on the CBSA website before you leave.
If you are planning a cross-border road trip and wondering about how visa on arrival works in other countries, that process is different from the US-Canada land crossing. Canada does not stamp your passport at the land border in most cases.
Air vs Land vs Sea: Quick Comparison
| Detail | By Air | By Land or Sea |
|---|---|---|
| Passport required? | Yes, full passport book | Passport, passport card, NEXUS, or EDL accepted |
| eTA needed? | No (US citizens exempt) | No |
| ArriveCAN needed? | Optional | Not applicable |
If you are a NEXUS member, you can use dedicated lanes at land border crossings and NEXUS kiosks at Canadian airports. This significantly reduces wait times at high-traffic ports of entry.
💡 Tip: If you cross the border often, apply for NEXUS. The $50 fee pays for itself after a few trips.
How Long Can You Stay?
US citizens can stay in Canada for up to 6 months per visit. The border officer makes the final call on how long you are allowed to stay.
In most cases, no stamp or formal document is issued at the land border. The officer verbally grants entry. If you fly in, your entry date is recorded electronically.
If you want to stay longer than 6 months, you need to apply for a visitor record (an extension of stay) before your authorized period expires. Do not overstay. Overstaying can affect future entries.
Frequent visitors should be aware that spending more time in Canada than in the US may raise questions about whether you are actually living in Canada. Be prepared to show ties to your home in the US, such as employment, a lease, or property ownership.
If you are exploring a longer stay, our page on digital nomad visa options covers countries that offer specific long-term remote work permits.
What You Cannot Bring Into Canada
Canada has strict rules on what visitors can carry across the border. Declaring everything at the checkpoint is mandatory. Failure to declare can result in fines starting at $250 and going up to $1,300, or seizure of the goods.
Firearms: Canada’s gun laws are far stricter than those in the United States. Gun-related arrests at border stations are common, according to the U.S. State Department.
Prohibited weapons include automatic firearms, pepper spray, tasers, stun guns, brass knuckles, switchblades, and butterfly knives.
Non-restricted long guns may be brought in with the proper declaration form (RCMP 5589), but handguns and restricted firearms require specific authorization.
Source: CBSA Restricted and Prohibited Goods.
Cannabis: Even though cannabis is legal in Canada, transporting it across the border in any form is a serious criminal offence.
This includes edibles, oils, CBD products, and anything containing THC. It does not matter that it is legal on both sides. The border is federal jurisdiction.
Food and plants: Fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and plants can carry pests and diseases. Some items are allowed; many are restricted.
Commercially packaged goods are usually fine. If unsure, declare it and let the officer decide.
💡 Tip: Leave firearms at home unless you have completed the Canadian declaration process in advance. “I didn’t know” is not a defence at the border.
For general guidance on why a visa or entry might be refused, our FAQ explains the most common reasons across different countries.
Money, Currency, and Duty-Free Limits
Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAD). As of early 2026, 1 USD buys roughly 1.43 to 1.45 CAD, though rates fluctuate. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted across the country.
If you are carrying CAD$10,000 or more in cash, cheques, or monetary instruments, you must declare it to the CBSA when entering Canada.
There is no limit on how much you can carry, but failing to declare amounts over the threshold is an offence.
Source: CBSA Declaration Guide.
When returning to the US, your duty-free exemptions from US Customs depend on how long you were in Canada:
- Under 48 hours: $200 per person (no alcohol included beyond 150 ml)
- 48 hours or more: $800 per person (includes up to 1 litre of alcohol if 21+, up to 200 cigarettes)
Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
If you are traveling with family, you can combine the $800 exemptions on a joint declaration for trips of 48 hours or longer.
Traveling with Children
If you are traveling with a minor who is not your child, or if only one parent is traveling with the child, carry a signed consent letter from the absent parent or guardian.
The Canada Border Services Agency does not legally require this letter, but border officers routinely ask for it. Not having one can cause delays or denial of entry.
Source: CBSA Travel with Minors.
The letter should include the child’s name, the traveling parent’s name, the absent parent’s name and contact details, travel dates, and destinations. Having it notarized adds credibility.
Children under 16 crossing the land or sea border do not need a passport. They can present a birth certificate or a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. However, carrying a passport for children is still recommended to avoid complications.
💡 Tip: Download the free consent letter template from the Government of Canada website before your trip.
If you are planning a trip where relatives need to visit the US instead, see our guide on which visa parents need to visit the USA.
Travel Insurance
Canada has universal healthcare for its residents. Visitors are not covered. If you need medical treatment in Canada, you pay out of pocket.
A hospital visit can cost hundreds to thousands of Canadian dollars depending on the treatment. Ambulance rides, emergency room visits, and specialist care are all billed directly to the patient.
Travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, evacuation, and trip cancellation is strongly recommended. Most US health insurance plans do not cover medical expenses in Canada.
If you already looked into coverage for US-based travel, our page on travel insurance for visiting the USA covers how medical costs work from the other direction.
What to Expect at the Canadian Border
The border officer will ask you a few questions. Stay calm and answer directly. Typical questions include:
- What is the purpose of your visit?
- How long are you staying?
- Where will you be staying?
- Are you carrying any firearms, weapons, or prohibited items?
- Are you bringing any food, plants, or animal products?
- Are you carrying more than CAD$10,000?
You do not need to show hotel reservations, but having them on your phone helps if questioned further. Do not volunteer unnecessary information.
💡 Tip: If the officer asks how long you are staying, give a clear answer. “A few days” is better than “not sure.”
The officer may also ask to inspect your vehicle or luggage. They have the authority to search electronic devices, including phones and laptops. Source: CBSA Border Checklist.
If you are not a US citizen but hold a US green card, different rules apply. You need your passport from your country of citizenship plus your valid green card. Some nationalities also need a visitor visa or eTA. Check the Canada.ca entry requirements page by nationality.
For context on how travel documents work when you hold residency in one country but citizenship in another, see our explainer on visa vs passport differences.
US Green Card Holders Visiting Canada
If you are a US permanent resident (green card holder) but not a US citizen, different rules apply depending on your nationality and how you travel.
By air: You need your valid passport from your country of citizenship and your green card. Depending on your nationality, you may also need a Canadian visitor visa or an eTA.
By land or sea: You need your green card. You do not need to present your passport when entering by land directly from the US, but carrying it is recommended.
Source: Canada.ca Entry Requirements for US Permanent Residents.
Check whether your nationality requires a Canadian visitor visa. Citizens of many countries, including India, China, Nigeria, and the Philippines, need a visitor visa. Citizens of visa-exempt countries like the UK, Germany, or Australia need an eTA when flying.
💡 Tip: If you hold a green card and your passport country requires a Canadian visa, apply well in advance. Processing times vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit Canada from the USA?
No. US citizens can visit Canada for up to 6 months without a visa. No eTA is needed either.
Can I drive to Canada with just a passport card?
Yes. A US passport card is accepted at land and sea border crossings. It is not valid for air travel.
Can I bring my gun to Canada?
Most firearms are heavily restricted or prohibited. Automatic weapons, pepper spray, tasers, and certain knives are banned. Non-restricted firearms require Form RCMP 5589 and a $25 fee. Check the CBSA rules before traveling.
Can I bring cannabis across the border?
No. Transporting cannabis in any form across the US-Canada border is a criminal offence, even though it is legal in both countries. This includes CBD oil.
Do I need travel insurance for Canada?
It is not legally required, but strongly recommended. Canada’s healthcare system does not cover visitors, and medical bills can be significant.
What happens if I overstay my 6 months?
Overstaying can result in removal, a ban on future entry, or difficulty at the border on subsequent visits. Apply for a visitor record extension before your time expires.
Can I work in Canada on a visitor entry?
No. You cannot work in Canada as a visitor. You need a valid work permit. If your goal is remote work while traveling, explore digital nomad visa options in countries that offer them.
Is there a limit on how many times I can visit Canada?
There is no official limit. However, if your visits are frequent or lengthy, border officers may question whether you are attempting to live in Canada. Be prepared to show ties to the US.
💡 Tip: Buy travel health insurance before your trip.
Check out popular travel insurance plans and choose one that suits you.
Most plans only cost less than $20 a day.
Disclaimer
Entry rules can change. Always check the latest requirements on the official Canada.ca immigration page and the U.S. State Department travel advisory for Canada before your trip.
Rules can change. Always confirm on the official government immigration site before applying.
This page is for general guidance and is not legal advice. VisitVisaGuide.com is not affiliated with any government, embassy, or consulate.
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