Traveller's Corner

Travelling in North America

Do I need a passport to travel to the United States?

Though passports are the document of choice for travel, Canadian citizens do not currently need a passport to travel to the United States from Canada. However, Canadians who are travelling outside Canada are encouraged to obtain a passport, as it is the most widely accepted proof of Canadian identity and citizenship.

In April 2005, the United States Government announced the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requiring travellers to and from the Americas, including Canadian citizens, to present a passport to enter or re-enter the United States.

The WHTI will be implemented in two phases, as follows:

January 8, 2007 - A passport will be required for all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

January 1, 2008 - The passport requirement will be extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.

For further information on United States policy, you may consult the US State Department Web site.

Planning to travel to Mexico from Canada?

Although the Government of Canada recommends that Canadians travelling to any destination outside of Canada carry a valid passport, it is not mandatory to do so for travel to Mexico. To date, there has been no policy change requiring Canadians to travel with their passports to this destination. However, you must have sufficient identification to satisfy border officials of your identity and citizenship.

It is recommended that you consult your travel agent or the embassy or consultate of Mexico in Canada for travel document requirements.

Even though a passport is not currently required for entry to the United States or Mexico, it is mandatory to obtain a passport if you are taking a cruise or travelling on to another country.