Be prepared to verify your CITIZENSHIP (place of birth)

Acceptable documents proving citizenship include any of the following:

- U.S. passport

- Certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the city, county or state in the U.S. where you were born.

- Naturalized U.S. citizens who do not have a passport should travel with their naturalization certificates. Alien permanent residents of the U.S. must present their Alien Registration Card, commonly called a “Green Card”.

- single parents, grandparents, or guardians traveling with children should carry proof of custody or notarized letters from the other parent authorizing travel

- children travelling alone should carry a letter from his/her parent or guardian authorizing the trip

NOTE: A driver’s license, voter’s registration card or Social Security card is NOT valid proof of citizenship

Be prepared to verify your IDENTITY (photo I.D.)

Acceptable documents proving identity include the following:

- current, valid driver’s license
- U.S. passport

NEXUS card holders are pre-approved by providing proof of citizenship, identity and residency ahead of time. The card holder is deemed to be low-risk and will enjoy expedited border crossing at specified NEXUS traffic lanes at the most frequented border crossings. Cards must be renewed after 5 years. This program is a partnership program between Canada and US border agencies. Note that each person in the vehicle will have to have a valid NEXUS card for the vehicle to access these special lanes. US and Canadian citizens can apply for NEXUS by contacting http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/frequent_traveler/nexus_prog/ or http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/travel/nexus/menu-e.html

B. AIR BORDER US VISITORS TO CANADA

1. Effective January 23, 2007 all Canadian and U.S. citizens travelling by air between the US and Canada must have a valid passport or NEXUS card to enter (or re-enter) the United States.

2. Effective June 8, 2007, US Citizens travelling to Canada who have applied for but not yet received passports can temporarily enter and depart from the US by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through SEPTEMBER 30, 2007. Children under the age of 16 travelling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child’s proof of application. US citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html

3. For more information on the passport reprieve, go to http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

C. VISITORS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES TO CANADA (Including US Citizens Entering Canada from Another Country)

Must have a valid passport (and, depending on the country, a Visitor’s Visa)

For more information, please contact
Council of Tourism Associations
Phone: 604-685-5910
Website: www.cotabc.com