The passport rules have changed and many are asking do I need a passport to go to Canada? Canada is a favorite destination for many American tourists, but making the journey used to be a lot simpler. As the rules regarding passports and travel requirements have recently changed, here’s a guide to what you do and don’t need now when heading across the border.
The Old Rules
Before June 2009, the only time that you needed to carry a passport with you when visiting Canada was if you were traveling by plane. If traveling by boat or car then you only needed to take proof of citizenship and picture ID.
The New Rules
Nothing has changed if you are flying to Canada from the United States as you will still need your passport. However, if you are crossing the border by land or sea then you will now require either a passport or a passport card. This may be annoying for all those people who have crossed many times in the past without needing a passport, but there is not much that can be done about it.
This is all part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), an agreement existing between the United States and a number of other countries including Canada and Mexico. The measure was due to come into force in 2008, but in the end it was put back to 2009. Increased security issues are partly to blame, and as a result if you don’t take your passport or passport card with you then you won’t be leaving the country.
The Passport Card
The passport card is a new piece of documentation that was introduced in 2008. It is a small, wallet-sized card that carries all the necessary information on it to cross the border into other countries in the WHTI. It is more convenient and cheaper than a passport, so if you only want to travel to Canada then you could just get one of these.
Exception to the Rule
There is currently one exception to the rule of taking a passport with you on a trip to Canada. Children under the age of 16 traveling by boat or vehicle do not need their passports to cross the border, and all they need is to present an original or certified copy of his or her birth certificate. If they are traveling by plane then the same rules apply, but otherwise they will be free from the restrictions in place for everyone else.
Why Canada?
Canada is a fantastic place to spend a vacation, and is hugely popular with American tourists. Possible things to see and do include:
• A trip to the CN Tower in Toronto, which at 1,815.4 feet tall has stunning views over the city and Lake Ontario
• The Canadian side of Niagara Falls, known as Horseshoe Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world
• A trip to Old Québec, walking the cobbled streets and admiring the 17th century architecture
Get your Passport Now
Need to get a passport or passport card to visit Canada? Don’t get caught out by the new rules. You can expedite your passport application with us at Passports and Visas.com and receive it within as little as one day. We also offer a number of other services including renewals, replacements, and children’s passports, which you can also expedite, so whatever you need let us arrange it for you.
Tags: canada, expedite, passport, passport laws
