Since 2007, Canadians and Americans have been required to present passports when crossing the U.S.-Canada border by air. The same rule began applying to overland and maritime crossings in 2009. Any Canadian going to a trade show in the U.S. must present a valid Canadian passport at the airport or the U.S. border.
If you are a permanent resident of Canada (a citizen of another country that resides in Canada), you must apply for a B-1 visa if going to a trade show in the U.S., unless you are a citizen of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (See Resources).
Fill out form DS-160 (personal information and trip details) and make an appointment online for an interview at the nearest U.S. Consulate. You will have to pay the application fee after scheduling the appointment. Bring to the interview a passport-sized photo (2-by-2 inches), your passport, residency papers and anything else that the particular consulate or embassy with which you are interviewing requires. If you are approved, the visa should be issued within a couple days after the interview. However, times can vary; check with the diplomatic mission to which you applied.
