Is a Passport Required for Travel to Canada?

Canada, our expansive neighbor to the north, offers everything from stunning national parks (such as Banff and Jasper) to dynamic cities, rich culture, and Indigenous narratives. If you're an American considering a trip across the border, you may be curious about the travel requirements, especially regarding passport necessity.

Must you have a passport to enter Canada?

Indeed, Americans must possess a passport to enter Canada, or an acceptable alternative document, regardless of whether you’re traveling by air, land, sea, bicycle, train, or on foot from the U.S.

The regulation mandating that Americans carry a passport or similar documentation for travel between the U.S. and Canada was enacted by Congress in 2009 as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), aimed at “enhancing border security and streamlining entry into the United States.”

This initiative designates a passport as the primary document for international travel. It has replaced older identification forms, such as a regular driver’s license or birth certificate, which were once valid for crossing the U.S.–Canada border.

Valid alternative documents for crossing the U.S.–Canada border

If you lack a passport, there are several other documents you can use to enter Canada as a U.S. citizen.

Passport card

One viable option is a passport card. Similar to a passport book, the card contains personal details such as full name, nationality, place of birth, gender, issue and expiration dates, a unique identification number, and a photo, although it resembles a driver’s license more closely. It’s essential to remember that passport cards are only valid for land or sea travel between the U.S. and Canada and cannot be used for international flights.

NEXUS card

Another option available is the NEXUS card. This program, managed collaboratively by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), provides expedited entry for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. Obtaining a NEXUS card involves an application process through CBP, which includes an in-person interview. The NEXUS card is valid for air, land, or sea travel.

Enhanced Driver’s Licenses

Certain U.S. states provide Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, which include extra security features and can substitute for a passport when driving to Canada. Enhanced Driver’s Licenses are offered in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington.

Crossing by boat, train, or on foot

If you're arriving in Canada by boat (as many Alaska cruises do), you'll need a passport or passport card. The same requirement applies to train travel.

When crossing on foot through a border control area, a passport, passport card, or NEXUS card is necessary. While you might consider entering through a remote area, we strongly advise against that.