Most visitors can stay up to 6 months. The CBSA officer can allow less or more; if there is no stamp or written date, count 6 months from entry or until your document expires, whichever comes first.

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🇺🇸United States

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United States to Canada visa requirements

Q: Can I drive into Canada with my US license?

Yes, for short visits. You need a valid US driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance. Most US auto insurance extends to Canada — check with your insurer.

Q: Can I work remotely from Canada for my US employer?

Visitor status is safest for tourism, family visits, meetings, and limited business-visitor activity tied to your job back home. Technical, production, Canadian-client, or longer-term work can require a work permit.

Q: What about old DUI or criminal records?

A DUI or other conviction can make you inadmissible. Options may include a Temporary Resident Permit or criminal rehabilitation; current IRCC fees start at CAD 246.25 and serious-criminality rehabilitation is CAD 1,231.

Q: Do US territories (Puerto Rico, USVI, Guam) qualify?

Yes. Anyone holding a U.S. ordinary passport — regardless of issuing territory — gets the same visa-free entry.

No visa, no eTA. Travel with valid U.S. citizenship/identity proof; most visitors can stay up to 6 months. U.S. ordinary passport holders do not need a visa or eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter Canada by air, land, or sea when travelling with proper proof of U.S. citizenship and identity. Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months, unless the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer sets a different date. A passport book is the safest document for flights; for land and sea crossings, a U.S. passport card, NEXUS card, or state Enhanced Driver's License/ID (EDL/EID, not a regular REAL ID) may also be accepted. U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are eTA-exempt since 26 April 2022, but must travel with a valid passport from their nationality plus valid proof of U.S. permanent-resident status.

VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-19

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →United States (Green Card)Living in United States as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-19

Visa type

Visa-free (no eTA required)

Maximum stay

Most visitors: up to 6 months (officer discretion)

per entry

Entries

Multiple

from issue date

Visa fee

Free

consular fee only

Processing time

At the border

standard track

Validity

Per entry

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Pick the right ID for your mode

Flights: use a U.S. passport book. Land/sea: a passport book, passport card, NEXUS card, or state Enhanced Driver's License/ID (EDL/EID) can work; a regular REAL ID license is not a border document.

· air = passport book· land/sea = card options

/02

Confirm document validity

The U.S. State Department lists Canada passport validity as valid at time of entry, but carry documents valid through the planned stay to avoid a shortened admission.

· valid through trip

/03

Have your trip details ready

CBSA officers can ask about purpose, length, accommodation, and funds. Vague answers can shorten or block your stay.

· trip purpose· accommodation

/04

Plan the border crossing

For land entry, check CBSA border wait times and port hours. For air entry, use Advance Declaration in ArriveCAN up to 72 hours before arrival where available.

· wait times· Advance Declaration

/05

Long stays or work: separate authorization

For more time, apply for a visitor record at least 30 days before status expires. Most paid work or Canadian-labour-market activity needs a work permit; limited business-visitor activity tied to your job back home may be exempt.

· visitor record· work permit

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

United States -> Canada · Visa-free (no eTA required)

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredU.S. passport book

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Best document; use for flights and keep valid through the planned stay

RequiredU.S. passport card

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Land/sea border document only; not valid for international air travel

RequiredEnhanced Driver's License/ID

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

MI, MN, NY, VT, WA issue EDL/EID cards for land/sea border use; a regular REAL ID is not enough

RequiredNEXUS card

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Trusted-traveler card for faster air/land/boat processing; carry passport or proof of citizenship too

RequiredTrip purpose details

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Itinerary, accommodation, business contacts

ConditionalFunds evidence

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

Bank statements or cards if asked

RequiredReturn travel info

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Helpful at the border

ConditionalVehicle registration (if driving)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Plus insurance proof; auto insurance from US is usually valid

RecommendedChild travel consent (if applicable)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Recommended when a child travels without both parents; notarization helps avoid delays

ConditionalCannabis declaration

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Cannabis cannot cross either way; declare and surrender if present

ConditionalOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesGovernment of Canada — Entry Requirements by Country IRCC Help Centre — American citizens entering Canada CBSA — Travel and ID Documents

Application link included: IRCC — Check current processing times

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Visa-free entryFreeNo visa or eTA required

Visitor record (extension)CAD 100If you need to stay beyond your authorized visitor period and apply from inside Canada

Work permitCAD 155Open work permit holder fee adds CAD 100 when applicable

Study permitCAD 150Biometrics fee only if IRCC requires biometrics

TRP / criminal rehabilitationCAD 246.25+For criminal inadmissibility cases; serious criminality rehabilitation is CAD 1,231

Total estimateFree — CAD 1,231+incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Land border (POE)

Minutes to hours

Varies by crossing and time. Check CBSA border wait times and port hours before driving.

Air arrival

Varies by airport

Use Primary Inspection Kiosks where available. Advance Declaration in ArriveCAN can be submitted before arrival at participating airports.

Visitor record / extension

Check IRCC tool

Apply online before your authorized stay ends; maintained status applies if you apply in time.

Study permit

Check IRCC tool

Required for most study programs longer than 6 months; biometrics may be needed.

Work permit

Check IRCC tool

Most paid work needs a work permit; LMIA-based employer permits can take longer.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Past DUI / criminal record

Impaired driving and other offences can make you inadmissible, especially after Canada's 2018 impaired-driving changes. A TRP or criminal rehabilitation is discretionary and should be handled in advance.

Medium

/02

Suspected work without permit

Paid work, production work, or activity that enters the Canadian labour market can trigger refusal if you do not have the right permit.

Medium

/03

Insufficient ties to the US

Border officers can deny entry if you can't show you'll leave Canada at the end of the visit.

Low

/04

Cannabis or unauthorized goods

Cannabis is legal in both countries but cannot cross the border. Carrying it leads to fines, seizure, and potential bans.

Low

/05

Prior overstays

Past Canadian overstays or removals weigh against future entries even without a visa.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-06-19

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-19

Canada visitor facts re-verified

Added checked-date, confirmed U.S. citizens are visa- and eTA-exempt, corrected the border-planning step to Advance Declaration / land wait times, refreshed IRCC fees and inadmissibility wording, and clarified land/sea-only document options.

2026-05-27

United States to Canada route verified

Confirmed visa-free / eTA-exempt status for U.S. passport holders, 6-month default stay, and document options for land/sea entry.

2022-04-26

US green-card holders eTA-exempt

IRCC removed the eTA requirement for US Lawful Permanent Residents; they travel with passport plus green card.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do US citizens need an eTA for Canada?—

No. U.S. citizens are exempt from both visa and eTA requirements. Travel with proper proof of U.S. citizenship and identity, such as a valid U.S. passport.

Can I drive into Canada with my US license?+

How long can I stay?+

Can I work remotely from Canada for my US employer?+

What about old DUI or criminal records?+

Do US territories (Puerto Rico, USVI, Guam) qualify?+