Travel and identification documents for entering Canada

Residents or visitors flying into Canada

Your airline carrier will ask you for travel and identification documents before allowing you to board the aircraft. Being allowed to board does not mean you have the right or will be authorized to enter Canada. A border services officer will determine whether you can enter Canada when you arrive, by confirming your identity and citizenship.

More information

• Pre-boarding identification requirements
• Find out if you can enter Canada

Residents returning to Canada

Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered under the Indian Act enter Canada by right. However, returning residents must still demonstrate to a border services officer that they meet the requirements for entering Canada. The officer will confirm your identity and your right to enter Canada through questioning and/or by verifying your documents.

Acceptable documents to denote identity and citizenship

If you have a Canadian passport

Carry a valid Canadian passport for all visits abroad, including visits to the US. It is the only universally accepted identification document and it proves that you have a right to return to Canada.

If you don’t have a Canadian passport

Oher acceptable documents that support identity and/or citizenship include, but are not limited to:

Indigenous travelers from the US

Indigenous Peoples from the US with family in Canada may now qualify for temporary border mobility measures. To find out if you are eligible to apply, visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Temporary measures to reunite families of Indigenous Peoples separated by Canada’s border.

Indigenous travellers from the U.S. who have been approved for these temporary measures and have their port of entry letter of introduction, need to bring the following documents when they arrive at the border:

• your passport or any official document used to travel (this is a requirement for everyone travelling)
• your port of entry letter (this is a requirement for anyone who applied for a work or study permit)
• the document you used to prove that you are a member of a federally recognized tribe in the United States, or a citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation
• the proof you used to establish your relationship to the anchor member of your family in Canada
• a signed letter of authorization for unaccompanied minors (optional, but recommended)
• a signed Custodian Declaration Form (IMM 5646) for minors studying alone (optional, but recommended)

Persons registered under the Indian Act have the right to enter and remain in Canada, and have the option of using their Status Card when crossing the border.

International visitors to Canada

Check Travel health measures

All international travellers must carry acceptable identification when entering Canada. A passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document when abroad.

Before making travel plans, learn about entry requirements by country.

What you need will depend on:

• where you are from
• how you are travelling
• what documents you are travelling with

In addition to your passport, you may need a travel authorization such as a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada.

Consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website to learn which authorization you need:

• Find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada
• Find out if you are eligible for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Be prepared: Apply for an eTA before you book your flight to Canada. Most applicants get approved within minutes. However, some applications can take several days to process so don’t wait until the last minute.

US citizens or permanent residents

If you are a US citizen or permanent resident, you must carry proof of citizenship such as a:

• passport
• birth certificate
• certificate of citizenship or naturalization
• certificate of Indian Status along with photo identification
• US Permanent Resident Card

If you are a US permanent resident, ensure you carry proof of your status such as a US Permanent Resident Card.

Travel with children and minors

When travelling with a minor, you should:

• carry copies of any legal custody documents, such as custody rights, if applicable
• arrive at the border in the same vehicle as the minor
• carry a consent letter if:
  • you share custody of the minor and the other parent or legal guardian is not travelling with you
  • you are not the parent or legal guardian of the minor

A consent letter must include the custodial parents' or legal guardians':

• full name
• address
• telephone number

Border services officers are always watching for missing children and may ask questions about minors travelling with you.

To avoid delays, have your consent letter notarized to support its authenticity. For more information on consent letters and to download an interactive form, visit Recommended consent letter for children travelling abroad.

More information

• Children and travel
• Our Missing Children program

Related links

• Travelling with animals
• Lost, stolen, seized, inaccessible or damaged passports
• Programs for trusted travellers
• Find out if you can enter Canada