U.S. citizens traveling to Canada for tourism or business may visit the country for up to 180 days without a visa. In most cases, Americans who want to study in Canada must have a student visa. The exceptions to this are students taking short-term courses that last six months or less and members of the U.S. military stationed in Canada. Family members of official U.S. delegations to Canada may also be exempted from the student visa requirement, but they must contact the U.S. Embassy in Canada to determine their eligibility.
Canada requires all people entering the country to present proof of citizenship and proof of identity. For U.S. citizens, these documents include a valid U.S. passport, passport card or NEXUS card. In lieu of these documents, U.S. citizens entering the country may present a government-issued photo identification, like a drivers license, and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate or naturalization certificate.
Nexus cards are part of a joint program between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency and the Canada Border Services Agency to expedite border crossing between the two nations. Following an initial prescreening, approved applicants must undergo a personal interview at a Nexus enrollment center to receive a card. The Nexus cards may be used instead of a passport when traveling between the United States and Canada.
Canada strongly recommends that children under 16 years old have a valid passport. In lieu of a passport, Canada will accept an original government-issued birth certificate or a citizenship or naturalization certificate. If the child is traveling with only one parent, the parent must have a letter of permission from the absent parent to take the child into Canada. The letter should include the dates of the trip and contact information from the parent who is not accompanying the child. If the child is covered by a custody order, a copy of the order must also be presented.
Anyone with a criminal record may be refused entry into Canada. This includes those who have been convicted of misdemeanors and Driving While Impaired (DWI) charges. To enter the country, anyone with a criminal record must obtain an Approval of Rehabilitation or a Temporary Resident Permit from a Canadian Consulate or Embassy.
