Entry requirements by country or territory

What you need will depend on where you are from, how you are travelling, and what documents you are travelling with.

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Canadian citizens

Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, need a valid Canadian passport. American-Canadians can travel with a valid Canadian or U.S. passport.

Canadian permanent residents

Canadian permanent residents need a valid permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document.

U.S. citizens

U.S. citizens must carry proper identification such as a valid U.S. passport.

Lawful permanent residents of the U.S.

As of April 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents of the United States must show these documents for all methods of travel to Canada:

Complete list of acceptable status documents for lawful permanent residents of the U.S.

You need an official proof of status as a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., such as one of the following:

  • valid permanent resident card (Form I-551)
  • foreign passport with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (also known as an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication [ADIT] stamp)
  • foreign passport with a temporary I-551 printed notation (“Upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year”) on a machine-readable immigrant visa upon endorsement with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection admission stamp
  • expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) or Form I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status)
  • expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card [Green Card])
  • valid re-entry permit (Form I-327)
  • Form I-94 with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (ADIT stamp) and a passport-style photo

Visa-exempt (eTA eligible) travellers

The following travellers need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to board their flight to Canada. However, these travellers do not need an eTA if entering by land or sea – for instance driving from the U.S. or coming by bus, train, or boat, including cruise ship.

eTA exemptions

Foreign nationals with official Canadian documents

Foreign nationals in the following situations

Travel and official representatives

Visa-required travellers

The following travellers need a visa to come to Canada by any method of travel—plane, car, bus, train or cruise ship.

Holders of a foreign national passport and stateless individuals need a visa to visit or transit through Canada.

You need to give your biometrics

In most cases, you need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply.

Find out who needs to give biometrics.

Workers and students

If you’re a worker or student, you must also meet Canada’s entry requirements. A work permit or study permit is not a visa. In most cases, you’ll also need a valid visitor visa or eTA to enter Canada.

You need to give your biometrics

In most cases, you need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply.

Find out who needs to give biometrics.

If you’re applying for your first study or work permit

We’ll automatically issue you a visa or eTA if you need one and we approve your application. When you travel to Canada make sure you have:

If you already have a work or study permit

If you’re visa-required, make sure that your visitor visa is still valid if you choose to leave Canada and re-enter.

If you need an eTA and you’re flying to a Canadian airport, make sure you travel with the passport that’s electronically linked to your eTA.

You must travel with your valid study or work permit, a valid passport and travel document.

If you’re eligible to work or study without a permit

If you’re eligible to work or study without a permit, you’re considered a visitor to Canada. You must meet the entry requirements for travellers from your country of citizenship.

Visiting your child or grandchild in Canada

If you’re the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible for a super visa. A super visa lets you visit your child or grandchild in Canada for 5 years at a time. Additionally, this visa allows for multiple entries to Canada and is valid for up to 10 years.

Visit your children or grandchildren

Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents have a new option for visiting Canada

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