Canadian passport to the USA
Canadian citizens don't need an ESTA or a visa to visit the USA. Bring your Canadian passport.
The rules
- What you need
- No visa
- How long you can stay
- Usually up to 6 months per visit. The officer at the border decides. Staying 30 days or more? If you didn't get an I-94 record when you entered, for example at a land border, you must register with USCIS. Apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the USA before your permitted stay ends.
- Your passport
- Flying: a passport that's valid for your whole stay, or a NEXUS card at some airports. By land or sea: a passport or a trusted traveller card such as NEXUS, valid for your whole stay. Children under 16 can use a birth certificate by land or sea.
- Arrival card
- None needed
Quick answers
Do Canadian citizens need a visa for the USA?
No. Canadian citizens don't need an ESTA or a visa to visit the USA. Bring your Canadian passport.
How long can Canadian citizens stay in the USA?
Usually up to 6 months per visit. The officer at the border decides. Staying 30 days or more? If you didn't get an I-94 record when you entered, for example at a land border, you must register with USCIS. Apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the USA before your permitted stay ends.
How long does my passport need to be valid for the USA?
Flying: a passport that's valid for your whole stay, or a NEXUS card at some airports. By land or sea: a passport or a trusted traveller card such as NEXUS, valid for your whole stay. Children under 16 can use a birth certificate by land or sea.
Things that could change this
- Do you have a criminal record, in any country?If yes: You may need a waiver to enter the USAYou can be refused entry with any criminal record, however minor or old. A Canadian pardon (record suspension) doesn't count under US law. Apply to US Customs and Border Protection for a waiver (Form I-192) well before you go. It can take 4 months or longer.
- Is a child under 18 travelling with only one parent, or without their parents?If yes: Carry a consent letter for your childIf a child is travelling alone, with only one parent or with someone else, carry a letter of consent from the parent or parents not travelling. It should be in English and preferably notarised. It can say: "I acknowledge that my child is travelling outside the country with [name of adult] with my permission."
Good to know
Face scans when you arrive and leave. Since 26 December 2025, US border officers can take a photo of your face each time you enter or leave the USA, at airports, seaports and land borders. This applies to everyone who isn't a US citizen, including most Canadians.
US travel ban and dual nationals. Since 1 January 2026, the US has limited entry for nationals of some countries. It doesn't apply if you travel on a passport from a country that isn't listed, such as your UK, Irish, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport. The separate ESTA rules for dual nationals still apply.
Checked 26 October 2026 against US Customs and Border Protection, US Embassy and Consulates in Canada, US Citizenship and Immigration Services and Government of Canada.
See the 5 official sources
- ESTA frequently asked questions (US Customs and Border Protection)
- Canadians requiring visas (US Embassy and Consulates in Canada)
- Countries that extend passport validity for an additional six months (Six-Month Club update, 18 December 2025) (US Customs and Border Protection)
- Alien registration requirement (US Citizenship and Immigration Services)
- United States travel advice (Government of Canada)