No Visa required for USA nationals for short visits - maximum stay up to 180 days
IMPORTANT:
- For all modes of entry, we recommend you carry a valid Passport Book for travel to Canada. A passport book is required by your airline, as it is the only universally-accepted identification document. Passport card is not acceptable for Air Travel.
- Citizens and permanent residents of the United States who are members of the NEXUS or FAST programs may present their membership cards to the CBSA as proof of identity and as documents that denote citizenship, when arriving by Land or Sea modes only. US passport book, passport card, Nexus Card, Enhanced Driver's License, or other other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document are accepted when travelling via land or sea.
- If you are from a country that does not require Visa to visit Canada, you must still satisfy theCBSA (Canada Border Service Agency) immigration officer, about your bona fide intent: The CBSA officer will ask you the purpose of your visit and confirm that you meet the requirements for admission to Canada. This is standard for anyone entering Canada, whether you have a temporary resident visa or not.
You should have all relevant documents on hand to present to the officer when you arrive. These documents include, but are not limited to:
- A valid passport or travel document that will be valid until the end of your stay
- If applicable, a temporary resident visa
- Be in good health
- Satisfy an immigration officer that you have ties, such as a job, home, financial assets and family, that will take you back to your country of origin
- Satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit; and
- You may also need A letter of Invitation from your family or business associate in Canada*****
- 24-hour contact details of your business associate / host in Canada
- Copy of your residence / return permit – to home country
- Proof that you have enough money for both your stay in Canada and your return home - The amount of money you will need can vary with the circumstances of the visit, how long you will stay and whether you will stay in a hotel or with friends or relatives.
- Additional For Business Travelers - Letter of purpose^^ from your parent company and a letter of invitation from the Canadian business associate
- A copy of any contracts or bills to support your visit
You will not be allowed into Canada if you give false or incomplete information, or if you do not satisfy the officer that you are eligible for entry into Canada. You can be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons. You will also have to satisfy the officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay in Canada.
Inadmissibility
Some people are inadmissible—they are not allowed to come to Canada. Several things can make you inadmissible, including involvement in criminal activity, in human rights violations or in organized crime. There have been certain instances where random checking for DWI / DUI has also resulted in inadmissibility.
In such cases – the applicant has to apply for Certificate of Rehabilitation. *****The Invitation letter must include the following information about the person being invited:
- Complete name
- Date of birth
- The person’s address and telephone number
- Relationship to the person being invited
- The purpose of the trip
- How long the invited person intends to stay in Canada
- Details on accommodation and living expenses
- Tentative date the invited person intends to leave Canada
The letter must also include the following information about Inviting Person / Company:
- Complete name.
- Date of birth.
- Address and telephone number in Canada.
- Occupation.
- Whether you are a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident
- BUSINESS Travelers MUST ensure that the Letter of Invitation is clearly stating the purpose & duration of stay.
^^In Addition - It is recommended that the American Company provides a letter of purpose, outlining the traveler's details, purpose & duration of Visit. The letter must also undertake that the applicant will be returning back to the home country after the short visit to Canada.
This information is only a guide. It is recommended that the Letter of Invitation is duly notarized by a Notary Public in Canada.
Disclaimer: Although the information on this website has been prepared with utmost care, the regulations and requirements are subject to change - without prior notice.