U.S.A. Bound - Consular Affairs

Canadians travel to the United States in greater numbers and with greater frequency than to anywhere else. The neighbourhood is a shared one. As a former prime minister remarked, "We are not in the same boat, but we are pretty much in the same waters."

We may easily forget that the border is an international frontier. The United States is a foreign country.

Many Canadians do not make adequate preparations for entering the United States. As a result, they encounter serious problems.

The Consular Affairs Bureau of Foreign Affairs Canada and Canadian government offices in the United States help thousands of such Canadians. Problems range from the simple ("I'm in West Virginia - how do I get out?") to the complex ("I've been arrested..."). If you have a problem, call us. We are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Be Prepared

Every trip begins at home. What you do before you leave - and the more you do - will help ensure a trouble-free visit.

First Things First

The requirements of U.S. authorities for identification upon entering the United States have recently become much stricter. The most important formality on entering the United States is providing proof of your Canadian citizenship. In order to avoid possible problems, all Canadians should carry a Canadian passport for all visits to the United States. Your Canadian passport is the best document to prove your Canadian citizenship and your right to return to Canada.

Effective October 4, 2005 , travellers entering the U.S. by air or by sea will be required to provide additional information, such as their address while in the U.S., including Puerto Rico. For more information on this new requirement, please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Web site.

As of October 26, 2004, the U.S. Visa Waiver Program requires visitors from various countries to have machine-readable passports to enter the U.S. This requirement does not apply to Canadian citizens even if the passport is issued abroad. Canadian citizens generally do not require a visa to travel to the United States. However, non-citizen permanent residents of Canada (and their children) as well as a list of other people (i.e. foreign government officials, officials and employees of international organizations, treaty traders and investors, fiancé/es and children of fiancé/es) do require a non-immigrant visa to enter the United States. Additional information is available from Passport Canada. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security also provides information.All carriers (noticeably airlines, but also rail and bus services) have become much stricter about requiring proof of admissibility to Canada as a result of the heavy fines they face for carrying inadmissible passengers. Since birth and baptismal certificates, for example, do not have photographs, they are no longer accepted without accompanying valid photo identification. Even carriers taking Canadians from Canada to the United States on roundtrip tickets have refused to return them to Canada without valid photo identification and proof of Canadian citizenship.

As a result, many travellers have had to contact Canadian government offices in the United States for assistance. When this happens, the office has to verify documentation with provincial and federal authorities, which involves further delay.

Travel with same-sex married spouseAlthough same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, they are not recognized in the United States. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple will result in refusal by local officials.

Passports

While U.S. authorities currently do not have a legal requirement that Canadians carry a passport, Foreign Affairs Canada strongly urges all Canadians travelling to the United States to obtain and carry a Canadian passport before leaving Canada. It is the only document that conclusively proves that you are a citizen of Canada with the right to return to Canada. Remember that a Canadian passport is still the best internationally accepted evidence of your Canadian citizenship and the best possible photo identification.Please consult the web site of Passport Canada for information on the proposed requirement for passport or alternate secure document (still to be determined) for entry of all visitors, including Americans and Canadians, to the United States.

Special Cases

Persons who have been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS normally need to obtain a waiver of ineligibility before they can travel to the United States. Contact the nearest office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) for information on how to apply for a waiver.

If you have an unusual situation concerning entry into the United States, you should obtain authoritative information from the U.S. authorities immediately before your visit. For more information, consult the U.S. Embassy Web site or go to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection Web site.

Some Canadians may have U.S. as well as Canadian citizenship through birth in the United States or through naturalization or descent. Although this is not likely to create problems when you travel to the United States, it is wise for you to understand your status under U.S. law.

The Dual Citizenship section of the American Citizen Information Services Web site states, "Most U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States." Before travelling to the United States, confirm with the U.S. consulate in your area whether this statement applies to you. Also, ensure that you have and carry with you to the United States your valid Canadian passport as proof of your Canadian citizenship and, thus, your right to re-enter Canada.

If you have a criminal record, no matter how minor or how long ago the offence, you may be refused entry to the United States. There may also be problems in travelling through U.S. airports. Under U.S. law, a pardon issued by Canadian authorities is not recognized for purposes of entry into the United States.If you have a criminal record, you should contact one of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection ports of entry well in advance of travel to the United States. If you are ineligible to enter the United States, you may apply for a waiver of ineligibility. This will involve completing Form I-192, “Advance Permission to Enter the United States.” There is a fee and it may take several months to process your application.Waiver application forms are available from any land port of entry to the United States, any preclearance site in Canada or can be downloaded from the Internet at http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-192.htm.U.S. ports of entry are computerized and connected to a centralized database. Information is readily available on criminal convictions in both Canada and the United States. Even though you may have entered the United States without hindrance in the past, you could run into difficulty if your record shows a criminal conviction or a previous denial of entry. Attempting to gain entry without a waiver could result in several weeks of detention at a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection enforcement facility.If you left the United States to avoid military service during the Vietnam War and have not since regularized your status, there might be an outstanding warrant for your arrest or you might be ineligible for U.S. entry. If in doubt, check with the nearest U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection port of entry.

If you need information about regularizing your status with the U.S. military, you can call the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa at 1 800 283-4356 or
(613) 238-5335 and select "Defence Attaché's Office" from the voice mail menu.

Travel with or by Children

Since December 11, 2001, Canadian children need their own passport. However, if you hold a valid Canadian passport issued before December 11, 2001, that bears the name of your child, the passport remains valid for both you and your child until it expires or until your child reaches the age of 16, whichever comes first.

U.S. and Canadian authorities and transportation companies are increasingly vigilant in questioning persons travelling with children. If you are planning to travel to the United States with a child, you should carry documentation proving your custodial rights, especially for very young children. If a person younger than 18 is travelling to the United States alone or with only one parent or another adult, certified documentation proving that the trip is permitted by both parents should be carried. For an example of a certified consent letter, visit the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of our Web site.

International Adoptions

Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from the United States, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied even if the adoption has already been completed.

For more information, contact your provincial/territorial authorities or the CIC Call Centre.

Medical Matters

If you have a medical condition, or are pregnant, you should seek an individual risk assessment from your personal physician or a travel medicine clinic prior to travel. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure.

If you have a medical condition that could present a problem while you are travelling, it is wise to wear a MedicAlert ® bracelet. Through the MedicAlert ® Foundation, your vital medical facts become part of a database that can be accessed 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world.If you require medication for an existing medical condition, take a sufficient supply for all your needs during travel. These must be in clearly labelled containers and include a copy of the doctor’s prescription indicating both the generic and trade names. Essential medication should be divided and stored in two pieces of luggage, so that if one piece of luggage is delayed, lost or stolen, an alternative supply is available.

Should a physician advise you to carry a supply of sterile syringes and needles for medical use, it is recommended that you also carry a medical certificate of explanation.

Carry an extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses and a copy of your prescription.

Take all the precautions you would at home to avoid infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Using intravenous drugs is illegal and dangerous, especially if you share needles.

Illegal Drugs

The U.S. zero tolerance policy imposes severe penalties for the possession of even a small amount of an illegal drug. Even prescription drugs and syringes used for legitimate medical purposes come under intense scrutiny.

Never carry a package or luggage for someone else unless you have been able to verify the contents completely.

Choose your travelling companions wisely. Never cross the border with a hitchhiker or as a hitchhiker. Though you may not be carrying anything illegal, your companions might be and you could be implicated.

Be equally careful about who and what you carry in your vehicle. As the driver, you could be held responsible for the misdeeds of your passengers, even if committed without your knowledge or involvement.

Money Matters

Canadian currency, traveller's cheques in Canadian dollars and personal cheques drawn on Canadian banks are not widely or easily negotiable in the United States. Accordingly, you should purchase traveller's cheques in U.S. dollars before you leave Canada. All major credit cards are accepted throughout the United States. There are banking machines that will accept Canadian bank cards, but these may be limited depending on your account access privileges (Interac, PLUS, etc.). Despite these difficulties, do not carry large amounts of cash. No limit is placed on the amount of money that travellers may legally take into or out of the United States. However, if on any occasion you carry more than US$10,000 in monetary instruments (such as U.S. or foreign coin, currency, traveller's cheques, money orders, and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form) into or out of the United States, or if you receive more than that amount while in the United States, you must file a report (Customs Form 4790) with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Failure to comply can result in civil and criminal penalties, including seizure of the currency or monetary instruments.

Supplemental Health Insurance

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while you are outside the country. At best, your health plan will cover only a portion of the bill. It is your responsibility to obtain and understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policies. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Be sure to ask whether your policy:

Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or a relative at home and your travelling companion how to contact your insurer.

Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you leave the United States. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to get the proper paperwork from thousands of kilometres away. Remember always to submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions you received while travelling. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Other Insurance

Your provincial government health insurance plan cannot be maintained after you have lived outside the province for a period of time. This period varies depending on your province of residence. Individual personal medical insurance for those working outside Canada, with both occupational and non-occupational coverage, is available. These plans consist of full accident and sickness coverage, including emergency medical evacuation.

Automobile Insurance

If you are entering the United States by personal automobile, you should check with your insurance agent to verify that your existing coverage is valid or sufficient for the U.S. areas you will be visiting and for the duration of your visit. If you are going to remain in a specific location in the United States for a considerable period of time, you should verify with the local authorities that your vehicle registration and driver's licence will remain valid.

Many states have mandatory automobile insurance requirements, and many require motorists to carry appropriate proof of insurance. Each state’s motor vehicles department can give you more specific information. The American Automobile Association (AAA) and the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) can provide detailed information to their members.

If you are in the United States and wish to drive to Mexico in your personal vehicle, you may need to purchase liability insurance as well as additional auto insurance. Contact your insurance agent and the local Mexican tourist office for information.Pets

When examined at a port of entry, cats and dogs must show no signs of diseases communicable to humans. If there is evidence of poor health, an examination by a licensed veterinarian might be required, at the expense of the owner.Vaccination against rabies is not required for cats. Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before entry, except for puppies under three months of age. Other animals are also subject to controls. Further information may be obtained from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Web site. When you return to Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will require proof of vaccination against rabies for all cats and dogs over three months of age. If you don’t have this proof, inspectors can provide you with a conditional release so that you can present the proper documentation at a later date, at a cost of about $60. It is therefore advisable to have your cat or dog vaccinated before leaving Canada. For detailed information, contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency or visit their Web site.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Very specific U.S. regulations govern what you may bring into the United States. These cover gifts, alcohol, tobacco and vehicles. Also included are various prohibited and restricted items such as lottery tickets, liquor-filled candy, seditious and treasonable materials, obscene or pornographic materials, products made by convicts or forced labour and products, such as ivory, made from endangered species. Switchblade knives are prohibited, except those owned by persons with only one arm.

Cruises

Many Canadians enter the United States on their way to join sea cruises to other countries. You must have a valid Canadian passport for such a trip. Some of the countries you may be visiting will not permit entry without a passport. A passport is also important to re-enter the United States at the end of the cruise.

Ship authorities may retain your passport during the cruise, in accordance with their own administrative regulations and to facilitate clearance with U.S. Customs. Passengers should obtain a receipt for their passport, and the passport should be returned at the end of the cruise.

Canadian Taxation Status

If you are living or travelling in the United States but maintain residential ties in Canada, you are usually considered a factual resident of Canada for taxation purposes. However, many factors are taken into account in determining your status for income tax purposes, so you should review your situation with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to avoid surprises. The CRA publication Canadian Residents Going Down South provides information for individuals.
U.S. Taxation Status

If you are a Canadian resident spending part of the year in the United States, you could be considered either a resident alien or a non-resident alien for U.S. taxation purposes. Resident aliens are generally taxed in the United States on income from all sources worldwide; non-resident aliens are generally taxed in the United States only on income from U.S. sources. It is important, therefore, for you to determine your status by contacting the U.S. authorities.

Working in the United States

As a Canadian legally entering the United States for remunerative work, you must have the proper authorization. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) makes cross-border movement easier for four specific types of business persons who are citizens of the member countries: business visitors, professionals, traders and investors, and intra-company transferees. Chapter 16 of NAFTA complements rather than replaces existing immigration laws and regulations concerning temporary entry. NAFTA does not alter the general immigration provisions as they affect public health, safety and national security.

Both Canada and the United States have publications containing information on U.S. entry for Canadians under NAFTA. The Canadian government publications Cross-Border Movement of Business Persons and the North American Free Trade Agreement and Temporary Entry to the United States: A Guide for Canadian Business Persons are both available in print format (e-mail enqserv@international.gc.ca) as well as on-line. The U.S. publication The North American Free Trade Agreement – The United States, Canada and Mexico is available from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices.

Under NAFTA, certain Canadian professionals are permitted entry to engage in business activities at a professional level; included are accountants, engineers, librarians, social workers, psychologists, teachers and zoologists. A full listing of the professions covered is found in the NAFTA pamphlets referred to in the preceding paragraph.

There are specific U.S. requirements for a Canadian entering as a visitor for business, a treaty trader, a treaty investor or an intra-company transferee. In each case, you must meet established legal requirements. Truck drivers and other persons involved in inter-country transportation are permitted entry to transport goods or passengers to or from a point in the United States. After entry, they are not permitted to pick up additional cargo or passengers for delivery within the United States. If you are entering the United States to fulfill an after-sales service contract that was part of a commercial agreement, you should carry appropriate documentation, such as the master contract and the service agreement. For more details, please consult the three NAFTA publications noted above. Spouses or dependants who accompany business persons qualified under NAFTA can work in the United States only if they independently qualify under NAFTA or under the general foreign worker provisions, including a labour certification test. Canadian trades people such as carpenters, electricians and plumbers are not covered by NAFTA and are not permitted to enter the United States for remunerative work unless they qualify independently under the general immigration provisions applicable to all foreign workers.

Performing artists such as members of Canadian entertainment groups in a creative field (for example, music, opera, dance, theatre or the circus) who have a signed contract with an enterprise in the United States require a temporary employment visa.

Canadians planning to enter the United States for marriage or immigration purposes should call 1 900 451-6330 (recording) or 1 900 451-2778 (to speak to a visa specialist) for additional information, or consult the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Web site. Canadians planning to enter the United States for long-term work should also contact the USCIS.

Canadians travelling to the United States to perform volunteer work may require a work permit, especially if the employer pays any related expenses such as travel or room and board. Such individuals have on occasion been refused entry at the border. Others have been refused entry after admitting to U.S. Customs officers that they have previously performed volunteer work in the United States. It is wise to discuss your specific situation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to avoid potential problems

Studying in the United States

Canadian students are no longer allowed to begin study in the United States without a valid Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility). These are issued by the U.S. school and sent directly to the applicant. In addition, students should have the following ready for presentation to the U.S. Customs officer at the port of entry:

Being There

Admissibility and Entry

As soon as you stop at the U.S. border or at an inland port of entry, you are subject to U.S. law. U.S. Customs can refuse entry to persons with criminal records or persons who cannot demonstrate that they have a legitimate reason to enter the United States.

Generally, the criteria for admissibility as a temporary visitor include, but are not limited to: proof of citizenship; evidence of residential, employment and/or educational ties to Canada; legitimate purpose for the trip; reasonable length of stay; and proof of financial support while in the United States. In a nutshell, this "test" helps determine whether you are travelling for legitimate reasons, have the financial resources for your travel and living expenses, and intend to return home. The U.S. official at the point of entry is the sole judge of your admissibility. Under U.S. law, as an alien detained at the border by Customs or Immigration, you do not have the right or privilege of contacting your lawyer. Visitors to the United States should be aware that the driver of a vehicle can be held responsible for the ineligibility of passengers, regardless of prior knowledge or association.

The permanent U.S. record created when a Canadian has been refused entry to the United States becomes part of a computerized database readily available at all land border and inland ports of entry, as well as at U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facilities in Canada. An initial refused entry does not necessarily mean you are banned from entering the United States in the future. At the time of refusal you will normally be advised of the requirements you have to meet to re-apply for entry (such as obtaining a “waiver” or producing documentation supporting your intention to return to Canada at the end of the trip). If, however, you attempt to enter the country at another port of entry without first trying to satisfy these requirements, you could be fined or have your vehicle seized, or both. There are appeal procedures, but they are prolonged, costly and unlikely to reverse the original decision. If you have a past criminal conviction, you could also be detained for deportation at a CBP detention centre.

What you say in response to questioning by Customs officers can be used against you if you are considered inadmissible. Many persons have had their vehicles or vessels seized because they pretended to be Canadian citizens when they were actually landed immigrants or visitors to Canada. Others have lost vehicles or vessels because they carried passengers who pretended to be Canadian citizens, did not admit to having a criminal record, or pretended to be visitors while planning to look for work in the United States. Again, as a driver, you can be held responsible for the misdeeds of your passengers regardless of knowledge or association.

You can choose to withdraw your request to enter the United States if border officials at a preclearance facility in Canada are questioning your application. This step can be taken before you are interviewed further or your belongings are searched. Despite your taking this approach, U.S. officials may nonetheless make a record of your attempted entry in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection database. The option to withdraw your application for entry is rarely available at land border or inland ports of entry, since at that point you are already on U.S. soil.

Expedited RemovalCanadians travelling to the United States should note that U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s “expedited removal” procedure allows a Customs agent, with the concurrence of a supervisor, to bar non-citizens from the United States for five years if, in their judgment, the individuals presented false documentation or misrepresented themselves. Canadians should be aware that lying to a border official is a serious offence.Expedited removal is part of comprehensive reforms intended to control illegal immigration. There is no formal appeal process under expedited removal, but if you believe the law has been misapplied in your case, you can request a supervisory review by writing to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection district director responsible for the port of entry where the decision was made. Cases of possible misapplication should also be brought to the attention of the Consular Affairs Bureau of Foreign Affairs Canada at 1 800 267-6788 or (613) 944-6788 (in Ottawa) or to the attention of the nearest Canadian government office.

Preclearance

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have preclearance facilities at seven Canadian airports: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. This enables you and your luggage to be cleared for entry into the U.S. at a Canadian preclearance airport instead of on arrival in the U.S. To allow sufficient time for the preclearance process when you are travelling to the U.S. from these airports, you should be at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection desk at least two hours prior to your flight departure time. As a traveller using U.S. preclearance facilities at a Canadian airport, you are obligated to meet U.S. entry requirements. You will be interviewed by a U.S. preclearance officer. It is an offence under Canada's Preclearance Act to knowingly make a false or deceptive statement to a preclearance officer. American officials are authorized to inspect your luggage and can refuse you entry to the U.S. While you are in a preclearance area you are subject to Canadian law, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Bill of Rights, the Canadian Human Rights Act, Canada's Preclearance Act, and Canadian criminal law, including those laws governing drugs and guns. You may withdraw your request to enter the U.S. and may leave the preclearance area at any time unless a U.S. preclearance officer suspects on reasonable grounds that you have made a false or deceptive statement or obstructed an officer. The officer may then detain you for violations of Canadian law.

Registered Indian Status (Jay Treaty)

If you have registered Indian status in Canada, you may qualify for special U.S. Immigration procedures (derived from the Jay Treaty of 1794) that enable you to live and work in the United States without going through the normal immigration process. It is important to note that presentation of a Canadian Certificate of Indian Status (Form 1A-1395) alone may not be sufficient to meet the entry requirements. U.S. law requires that applicants possess at least 50 percent North American Indian blood. Inspectors may therefore request additional proof of the requisite blood quantum, such as band records, birth certificates and other documents that establish the percentage of North American Indian blood.

If you intend to work or reside permanently in the United States, a Memorandum of Creation of Record of Lawful Permanent Residence (Form I-181) must be filed at the port of entry. Although applicants accepted under the Jay Treaty are not required to apply for a permanent resident (green) card (Form I-551), possession of the card does make it easier to travel and establish eligibility for benefits.

Precautions

The same rules apply in the United States as at home, only more so. You are usually at greater risk than locals; indeed, in some areas of the United States, tourists and non-locals could be targeted. Accordingly, you should follow these rules:

American border officials collect a US$6 per-person fee, payable only in U.S. dollars, to issue an arrival/departure document, Form I-94. This form is distributed to Canadian citizens and landed immigrants from member countries of the Commonwealth and Ireland who are entering the United States to study or work and to visitors from other countries. The fee does not apply to Canadian citizens and landed immigrants from member countries of the Commonwealth and Ireland who are entering the United States on temporary visits for business or pleasure, or to travellers arriving in the United States by air.

Crime and Punishment

In the United States, you are subject to U.S. laws and regulations. Canadian citizenship confers no immunity, special protection or rights to preferential treatment.

If you are arrested in the United States, you have the right to speak with a Canadian consular officer or to have the nearest Canadian government office informed of your arrest, or both. Under Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, arresting authorities in the United States are required to inform Canadian citizens of this right without delay.

Most U.S. jurisdictions provide the services of a lawyer if you cannot afford one. Do not make any special arrangements with the police or prosecutors without the advice and guidance of your lawyer.

The civil and criminal justice systems in the United States differ significantly from those in Canada. For instance, each U.S. state has its own criminal code, and sentences tend to be longer, especially for crimes involving violence, drugs or “white collar” offences. As a foreigner, you might have difficulty obtaining bail.

In many jurisdictions in the United States, there is only limited eligibility
for parole if you are convicted. Also, as a foreigner, you might have limited opportunity while in prison for further education or training. After conviction
and settlement of all appeals, Canadian prisoners in most (but not all) U.S. jurisdictions can request transfer to a Canadian prison under the Transfer of
Offenders Treaty. The processing of applications is lengthy, and many transfer requests are refused.

Canadian Consular Assistance in the United States

Foreign Affairs Canada has a number of Canadian government offices in the United States. The Embassy is located in Washington, and there are consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Puerto Rico and Seattle. The Australian Consulate General in Honolulu, Hawaii, will assist Canadians in an emergency. At each of these offices there are consular and trade officers (for business travel related to NAFTA) available to help you.

In cooperation with the Consular Affairs Bureau in Ottawa, these offices provide a range of services to assist you during your visit. Services are available during normal business hours from the Canadian diplomatic office nearest your U.S. location. If you are in Canada, you may contact the Consular Affairs Bureau in Ottawa.

Although Canadian offices provide a wide variety of services to travelling Canadians, demand is such that we restrict some services, especially those for which there are adequate alternatives available locally. Such services include making travel arrangements, paying local bills, storing or safekeeping personal effects or searching for lost items, assisting with job hunts, obtaining visas for other countries and acquiring local permits or licences.

Check the “Canadian Government Offices in the United States” section for information on how to contact the appropriate Canadian office.

Passport Services

Canadian government offices in the United States provide only emergency passport services (for example, assistance for travel to a third country in the event of a death in the immediate family). Full passport services are available through the Central Passport Canada office in Gatineau, Quebec, for mail-in applications. Processing applications mailed from Canada or the United States usually takes 20 working days if all information and documentation have been provided.

Some parts of the United States suffer from crime problems, including violent crime and theft. For more information on this matter, consult Foreign Affairs Canada’s Travel Report for the United States.

Returning Home

Canada Customs and Import Controls

You must declare everything you have purchased and acquired outside Canada, as well as goods bought at a Canadian or foreign duty-free store for importation into Canada, whether the items are for yourself or intended as gifts. Keep your original receipts for possible inspection.

If you have been away from Canada for 24 hours or more, you may bring back goods worth up to C$50 without paying duties or taxes. You cannot include alcohol and tobacco in this exemption.

If you have been away from Canada for 48 hours or more, you may bring back goods worth up to C$200 without paying duties or taxes. These goods can include alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, as follows:

Provincial age restrictions apply to alcohol and tobacco products.

If you have been away from Canada for seven days or more, you may bring back goods worth up to C$750 without paying duties or taxes. These goods can include tobacco products and alcoholic beverages as described above. When calculating the number of days you are absent, do not include the date you leave Canada, but do include the date you return. Note: If you include cigarettes, tobacco sticks or loose tobacco in your personal exemption allowance, only a partial exemption will apply. You will have to pay a minimum duty on these products unless they are marked "CANADA-DUTY PAID - DROIT ACQUITTÉ." Canadian-made products sold at a duty-free shop are marked in this way. You can speed up your clearance by having your tobacco products available for inspection when you arrive.

Certain goods are restricted from entering Canada unless you have a permit, certificate, licence or other specific document. Even with a permit, the imported goods have to meet certain safety standards. If you are considering importing meat or dairy products, plants or plant products, firewood, firearms, vehicles, exotic animals or products made from their skins or feathers, contact the Canada Border Services Agency or the Canadian Firearms Centre beforehand for guidance.

Obscene printed material, child pornography, hate propaganda, narcotics, counterfeit money, automatic firearms and goods harmful to the environment are prohibited from entering Canada.

If you have lived outside Canada for more than a year, you may take advantage of special import provisions for household items and personal belongings when you move back to Canada.

Importation of Firearms

Specific regulations and procedures apply to the importation of firearms. For more information, contact the Canadian Firearms Centre. If You’ve Been Ill

If you were ill while outside Canada or become ill after returning home, you should contact your doctor and provide the details of where you travelled and what treatment you received while away, if any.

Canadian Government Offices in the United States

Atlanta: Territory includes Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Consulate General of Canada
1175 Peachtree Street NE
100 Colony Square, Suite 1700
Atlanta, GA 30361-6205
Tel.: (404) 532-2000
Fax: (404) 532-2050
E-mail: atnta@international.gc.ca
www.atlanta.gc.ca

Boston: Territory includes Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Consulate General of Canada
3 Copley Place, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02116
Tel.: (617) 262-3760
Fax: (617) 262-3415
E-mail: bostn@international.gc.ca
www.boston.gc.ca

Buffalo: Territory includes Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and the western and northern counties of New York state.

Consulate General of Canada
1 HSBC Center, Suite 3000
Buffalo, NY 14203-2884
Tel.: (716) 858-9500
Fax: (716) 852-4340
E-mail: bfalo@international.gc.ca
www.buffalo.gc.ca

Chicago: Territory includes Illinois, Indiana (counties of Jasper, Lake, Laporte, Newton and Porter), Iowa (cities of Bettendorf and Davenport),
Kansas (Kansas City), Missouri and Wisconsin.Consulate General of Canada
Two Prudential Plaza
180 North Stetson Avenue
Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60601
Tel.: (312) 616-1860
Fax: (312) 616-1877
E-mail: chcgo-cs@international.gc.ca
www.chicago.gc.ca

Dallas: Territory includes Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Consulate General of Canada
St. Paul Place
750 North St. Paul Street
Suite 1700
Dallas, TX 75201-3247
Tel.: (214) 922-9806
Fax: (214) 922-9815
E-mail: dalas@international.gc.ca
www.dallas.gc.ca

DenverConsulate General of Canada
1625 Broadway, Suite 2600
Denver, CO 80202
Tel.: (303) 626-0640
Fax: (303) 572-1158
E-mail: denvr-g@international.gc.ca
www.denver.gc.ca Detroit: Territory includes Indiana (except for the counties covered by Chicago), Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.

Consulate General of Canada
600 Renaissance Center
Suite 1100
Detroit, MI 48243-1798
Tel.: (313) 446-4747
Fax: (313) 567-2164
E-mail: dtrot@international.gc.ca
www.detroit.gc.ca

Honolulu:
Australian Consulate General
Penthouse Suite
1000 Bishop Street
Honolulu, HI 96813-4299
Tel.: (808) 524-5050/5054
Fax: (808) 531-5142

Los Angeles: Territory includes Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.

Consulate General of Canada
550 South Hope Street, 9th Floor
Los Angeles CA 90071-2327
Tel.: (213) 346-2700
Fax: (213) 620-8827
E-mail: lngls@international.gc.ca
www.losangeles.gc.ca

Miami: Territory includes Florida.

Consulate General of Canada
200 South Biscayne Boulevard
Suite 1600
Miami, FL 33131
Tel.: (305) 579-1600
Fax: (305) 374-6774
E-mail: miami@international.gc.ca
www.miami.gc.ca

Minneapolis: Territory includes Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North and South Dakota and Wyoming.

Consulate General of Canada
701 Fourth Avenue South
Suite 900
Minneapolis, MN 55415-1899
Tel.: (612) 333-4641
Fax: (612) 332-4061
E-mail: mnpls@international.gc.ca
www.minneapolis.gc.ca

New York: Territory includes Connecticut, New Jersey, the eastern and southern counties of New York state, and Bermuda.

Consulate General of Canada
1251 Avenue of the Americas
Concourse Level
New York, NY 10020-1175
Tel.: (212) 596-1628
Fax: (212) 596-1666/1790
E-mail: cngny@international.gc.ca
www.newyork.gc.ca

San Juan, Puerto Rico: Territory includes Puerto Rico.

Consulate of Canada
Home Mortgage Plaza
268 Ponce de Leon, Suite 515
San Juan, PR 00918
Tel: (787) 759-6629
Fax: (787) 294-1205

Seattle: Territory includes Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

Consulate General of Canada
412 Plaza 600
Sixth Avenue and Stewart Street
Seattle, WA 98101-1286
Tel.: (206) 443-1777
Fax: (206) 443-9662
E-mail: seatl@international.gc.ca
www.seattle.gc.ca

Washington: Territory includes Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Embassy of Canada
501 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Tel.: (202) 682-1740
Fax: (202) 682-7619
E-mail: wshdc-outpack@international.gc.ca
www.washington.gc.ca

U.S. Government Offices in Canada

The U.S. Department of State maintains a number of diplomatic offices in Canada. The Embassy is located in Ottawa, and there are consulates general in Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto and Vancouver. Each has U.S. consular officers available to help you with problems. Or consult the Embassy Web site (www.usembassycanada.gov).

Ottawa: Consular district includes eastern Ontario, western Quebec and Baffin Island.

Embassy of the United States
of America, Consular Section
490 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1N 1G8
Tel.: 1 800 283-4356
or (613) 238-5335
Mailing Address:
PO Box 866, Station B
Ottawa, ON K1P 5T1
www.usembassycanada.gov

Calgary: Consular district includes Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.

U.S. Consulate General
615 Macleod Trail SE, Room 1000
Calgary, AB T2G 4T8
Tel.: (403) 266-8962

Halifax: Consular district includes New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

U.S. Consulate General
Purdy’s Tower II, Suite 904
1969 Upper Water Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3R7
Tel.: (902) 429-2480

Montreal: Consular district includes southwestern Quebec.

U.S. Consulate General
1155, rue St-Alexandre
Montreal, QC H3B 3Z1
Tel.: (514) 398-9695
Mailing Address:
PO Box 65
Postal Station Desjardins
Montreal, QC H5B 1G1

Quebec City: Consular district includes eastern Quebec and Nunavut.

U.S. Consulate General
2, Place Terrasse Dufferin
Quebec, QC G1R 4T9
Tel.: (418) 692-2095

Toronto: Consular district includes western Ontario.

U.S. Consulate General
360 University Avenue
Toronto, ON M5G 1S4
Tel.: (416) 595-1700

Vancouver: Consular district includes British Columbia and Yukon.

U.S. Consulate General
1095 West Pender Street
19th Floor
Vancouver, BC V6E 2M6
Tel.: (604) 685-4311

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U.S. Entry Waivers

Canadian citizens requiring waivers to enter the United States should call the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection office serving their area:

Waiver application forms are also available from any land port of entry to the United States, any preclearance site in Canada or can be downloaded from the Internet at http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/i-192.htm.For answers to questions about waivers, members of the general public may call the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection office in Toronto at (905) 676-2563 on Friday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
Immigration to the U.S.

For general information, members of the public may call the U.S. Department of Homeland Security National Customer Service at (785) 330-1048 or consult the Department of Homeland Security Web site. If you have questions about your immigration status, you may contact U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection offices in:

Champlain, NY
(518) 298-7900 (NAFTA; status enquiries on waivers)

Massena, NY
(315) 764-0310 (NAFTA)

Ogdensburg, NY
(315) 393-0770

Ottawa Airport
Preclearance Inspection
(613) 523-2105 (on recording except between 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.)

Peace Bridge, Buffalo, NY
(716) 885-3367

Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, NY
(716) 282-3141

Thousand Islands, NY
(315) 482-2681

For marriage or immigration information, call 1 900 451-6330 (recording) or
1 900 451-2778 (to speak to a visa specialist). There is a fee for these calls. You may also consult the USCIS Web site.

Entry Under Nafta

There are free trade specialists at the U.S. ports of entry listed below who may be able to give you detailed information and the necessary documentation you require. However, the specialists cannot guarantee the admission of any applicant.

Offices of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
www.cbp.gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance stations in Canada can be contacted at the following numbers:

In the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection can be contacted at the following border points:

U.S. TAX INFORMATION
www.irs.gov

For information on U.S. tax laws and regulations as they may affect Canadians, contact:

International Customer Service
Philadelphia Service Counter
Tel.: (215) 516-2000

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Eastern Area Distribution Center
P.O. Box 85074
Richmond, VA 23261-5074

Consular Services

Foreign Affairs Canada
www.fac-aec.gc.ca

Consular Affairs Bureau
www.voyage.gc.ca

General
Tel.: 1 800 267-6788 (in Canada and the U.S.) or (613) 944-6788
TTY: 1 800 394-3472 (in Canada and the U.S.) or (613) 944-1310
E-mail: voyage@international.gc.ca

Emergencies
Tel.: (613) 996-8885
(call collect from abroad where available)
E-mail: sos@international.gc.ca

The Consular Affairs Bureau publishes, in both official languages, a series of safe travel brochures.

Country Travel Reports provide information on safety and security conditions, health issues and entry requirements for over 200 travel destinations. This information is also available by telephone: 1 800 267-6788 (in Canada and the U.S.) or (613) 944-6788.

Foreign government offices accredited to Canada
www.voyage.gc.ca/alt/representatives.asp

Passport Canada
www.ppt.gc.ca
Tel.: 1 800 567-6868 (in Canada and the U.S.)
TTY: 1 866 255-7655

Visit our For More Information page.

Publication Info

Published by Foreign Affairs Canada

Information in this publication is readily available for personal and public non-commercial use and may be reproduced, in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission from Foreign Affairs Canada. We ask only that:

All information in this publication is provided on an “as is” basis without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Foreign Affairs Canada (FAC) makes all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in this publication is accurate. The reader is also encouraged to supplement this information with independent research and professional advice.

This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.

To obtain more information or free copies of this publication, write to:

Enquiries Service
Foreign Affairs Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2
Tel.: 1 800 267-8376 (in Canada) or (613) 944-4000
E-mail: enqserv@international.gc.ca

We would like to receive your comments on this publication. Write to us at the address above or e-mail us at voyage@international.gc.ca.

U.S.A. Bound
Advice for Canadian Travellers

Before You Go

Be Prepared

First Things First

Special Cases

Working in the United States

Being There

Returning Home

Canada Customs and Import Controls

Canadian Government Offices in the United States

U.S. Government Offices in Canada

Consular Services

Publication Info

U.S.A. Bound Advice for Canadian Travellers

Before You Go

Be Prepared

First Things First

Special Cases

Working in the United States

Being There

Returning Home

Canada Customs and Import Controls

Canadian Government Offices in the United States

U.S. Government Offices in Canada

Consular Services

Publication Info

U.S.A. Bound
Advice for Canadian Travellers