Using Canadian Passport to get into America

Ilovechoumous

Sun, Jul 19 2009, 6:16 pm

Can we still get in, or has their requirements changed?

realeez

Sun, Jul 19 2009, 6:20 pm

If you are a Canadian citizen, you need a valid Canadian passport to get across to the US.

ShakleeMom

Sun, Jul 19 2009, 7:24 pm

Why would America not accept a Canadian citizen for a visit?

Mrs Bissli

Mon, Jul 20 2009, 2:03 am

well, for citizens of many countries (including UK) US now requires pre-registration of personal details, I think like 36hrs before the flight.

Though I'm not sure (and somehow doubts) this is the same for canadian citizens given land-borders with the US.

Marion

Mon, Jul 20 2009, 2:06 am

A Canadian passport is the only valid (Canadian) ID for entry to the U.S. I think the confusion stems from it being a new requirement; until recently you could cross on your birth certificate as well (by land). Until a few years ago you could do the same by air.

Shaklee, don't know. I do, however, have a vivid memory of trying to board a Toronto-bound flight in Chicago (post 9/11) and the flight attendant checking photo ID was insistent that it had to be "state-issued" ID. She seemed to have difficulty with the concept of a foreign (Canadian) passport, or someone not owning "state-issued" ID.

lizard8

Mon, Jul 20 2009, 4:55 am

I'm not sure if they changed it yet- but
to fly- must have passport
to drive-must have valid photo id

Marion

Mon, Jul 20 2009, 5:47 am

They changed it at the beginning of June. You MUST have a valid passport to enter the United States regardless of your port/country of origin.

ShakleeMom

Mon, Jul 20 2009, 8:59 am

Ok, now I understand your question. Yes, it must be a passport, not any other form of ID. If it's Canadian, it will b perfectly fine.

bbmom

Mon, Jul 20 2009, 9:45 am

For US citizens some states now offer an "Enhanced Driver's License" (EDL) that lets you cross into Canada or Mexico without a passport.

sky

Mon, Jul 20 2009, 10:15 am

Marion wrote:

They changed it at the beginning of June. You MUST have a valid passport to enter the United States regardless of your port/country of origin.

you now need a passport to drive also. Very young children can still cross in a car with birth certificate.

Marion

Mon, Jul 20 2009, 1:08 pm

bbmom wrote:

For US citizens some states now offer an "Enhanced Driver's License" (EDL) that lets you cross into Canada or Mexico without a passport.

Yeah, but the U.S. requires American citizens to return with a passport.

bbmom

Mon, Jul 20 2009, 1:53 pm

As far as I know the card is equivalent to a citizenship card - it replaces a passport for land and sea travel to Canada and Mexico (it does not work in the airports). In other words, if you are an American citizen and have one of these cards (it's not your regular driver's license) you can cross the borders on both sides without having a passport. The card is widely used by commuters in cities like Detroit/Windsor who cross the border daily.

Marion

Mon, Jul 20 2009, 4:26 pm

Are those drivers' licences or NEXUS passes? Or are NEXUS passes only for air travel?

someoneoutthere

Mon, Jul 20 2009, 4:54 pm

3 different things here:

There's the Enhanced Driver's License- a driver's license with a RFID (radio frequency identification) tag embedded containing whatever information the government decided they need at the border. It can be used for land or sea entry into the USA

Passport Cards- similar to an ID card, it contains the RFID tag and can only be used for land or sea entry. It's cheaper than a regular passport.

NEXUS- that's for business travelers and the like who constantly go back and forth. It's a pre-registration of your car and its passengers. If you have the pass you kinda just drive through without questions on what you are bringing in, though they do do spot checks.

To enter the US by land or sea you must present a valid passport or passport card or approved enhanced driver's license. For a child under the age of 16 they just need a birth certificate original. ( school/youth groups even between the ages of 16-18 only need the birth certificate also)

All this only applies to entering the US by land or sea. For air entry, even infants need a valid passport.

here's a link to some more information
http://seattletimes.nwsource.c......html

shnitzel

Mon, Jul 20 2009, 6:42 pm

if you are driving across the border children under the age of 15 do not need a passport, every adult needs a passport since June