U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport, a passport card or a NEXUS card when crossing the Canadian border. Without these documents, U.S. citizens may present a government-issued identification card, such as a driver's license, and proof of citizenship, such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate or expired passport.
United States citizens may also present a frequent traveler card approved by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Traveler cards are issued to pre-approved, low-risk frequent travelers of U.S. or Canadian citizenship and include the NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST cards.
Non-U.S. citizens must present proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A passport or pass card is sufficient to meet both requirements.
Most foreign nationals are also required to present a valid visa to enter Canada. Citizens of some countries are exempt from the visa requirement. As of 2010, the list of qualifying countries approved by the Canadian government include:
Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brunei, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel (National Passport holders only), Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Latvia (Republic of), Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Slovenia, Switzerland, United States and Western Samoa.
Students under the age of 18 on a school field trip to Canada are only required to prove citizenship with either an original birth certificate or a certified birth certificate. A passport, though acceptable, is not required.
Permanent residents of the United States may also present their original green cards to gain access to Canada by land.
