As a US citizen, you may decide to spend some time going across the border into Canada. Perhaps you found a great deal on OneTravel and are looking to visit our neighbors to the north. Just know that you do have to follow particular rules if your journey is going to end up being a success. Otherwise, you might run into problems that could potentially bar your path and keep you out of Canada, or potentially make it difficult to get back into the United States after your trip is through.
Is a Passport Required to Visit Canada?
How to Cross the Canadian Border from the US
In the not-too-distant past, we didn’t need to have a passport in order to get into Canada. But the border laws have changed recently and it’s necessary to follow the new rules in order to cross between Canada and the US. It’s a little tougher than traveling to Puerto Rico or the Bahamas, for example.
If you are an American citizen and you want to go to Canada, it’s easy if you have permission through a valid visa. If you are strictly going there to visit without working, there are a couple of other options available to you. We will break them down according to travel arrangements right now.
If you are taking an airplane into Canada, the only thing required is a valid US passport. You do have one other option and it’s called a Nexus card.
If you are entering into Canada on a cruise ship, the options are expanded. You can get into the country with a government issued photo ID and a United States birth certificate, a valid US passport, or a Nexus card.
How to Cross the Border Back into the USA
To make it back into the US, your options are expanded even further and they include:
- Nexus card
- US passport
- Passport card
- Enhanced Travel Card for Native Americans
- Native American Tribal Photo ID
- Enhanced Driver’s License
- US Merchant Mariner document
- Military ID with official orders
For those planning to come back to the US by plane, you must use a valid US passport since it’s the only ID that’s acceptable in this regard.
Lewis Gordon
Lewis Gordon is a successful businessman living in Boston, Massachusetts. When he’s not working, he enjoys travelling – especially tasting other cuisines, scuba diving, watching and playing soccer. Lewis also has a love of dogs and is the proud owner of an English Setter.
