By Laura Acevedo
Passport Requirements for Traveling From Canada to the US
Whether you are traveling from the French-speaking province of Quebec or from Vancouver Island in the province of British Columbia, entry into to the
United States from
Canada requires the proper travel documents. While some alternatives exist, most travelers, regardless of citizenship status, are now required to present a passport for entry into the United States.
Passport Types
Two types of passports are available to U.S. citizens. The traditional passport book provides the most travel flexibility, whereas the newer passport card has a lower cost. The passport card is only valid for air or land travel in the Western Hemisphere. Passport cards are not available for non-U.S. citizens.
Passport Alternatives
NEXUS cards and Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) are passport alternatives valid for travel between Canada and the United States for sea or land travel. Pre-approved, low-risk travelers that have U.S. or Canadian citizenship can obtain a NEXUS card that provides expedited passage through customs and immigration at U.S. and Canadian entry points. An Enhanced Drivers License is offered in some U.S. states and some Canadian provinces and includes a radio frequency identification chip and a bar code. An Enhanced Driver's License can be used as proof of citizenship when traveling in the Western Hemisphere.
Air Travel
You will need a passport book to travel from Canada by air into the United States. Passport cards and Enhanced Driver's Licenses are not valid for air travel. NEXUS cards can only be used if a NEXUS kiosk is available, so it is best to rely on a passport book for U.S. entry. You will need to present your passport book at flight check-in, at security checkpoints and to immigration officials in the United States after you land.
Land/Sea Travel
When you travel from Canada by land or by sea, you will need a passport book, passport card, NEXUS card or Enhanced Driver's License for entry into the United States. U.S. citizens returning to the United States on a cruise that originated in the United States and is returning from Canada to the same port in the United States do not need a passport. U.S. citizens only need their driver's license and birth certificate for U.S. re-entry for these cruises.
Children
Children traveling from Canada by air into the United States have the same passport requirements as adults. All U.S. and Canadian children under 16 or children under 19 traveling with a sponsored group by land or by sea can present a birth certificate instead of a passport for entry. Children from other countries must present a passport for all entry methods.
Resources
About the Author:
Laura Acevedo has been a professional writer for more than 15 years. With a background in business, international relations, psychology and technology, Acevedo writes from both experience and an educational foundation. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Florida and undergraduate degrees in business and psychology.
Photo Credits:
http://morguefile.com/archive/display/61814
