Home: Planning to travel to the U.S. or Mexico?

Are you a Canadian planning on taking a cruise to Mexico or Alaska? Please read the following information before you disembark for your trip. Although the Government of Canada recommends that Canadians travelling to any destination outside of Canada carry a valid passport, it is not mandatory for travel to the United States or Mexico. To date, there is no policy change requiring Canadians to travel with their passports to these destinations. However, you must have sufficient identification to satisfy border officials of your identity and citizenship. It is recommended that you consult your travel agent or the embassy or consultate of the country you plan to visit for travel document requirements. Even though a passport is not presently required for entry to the United States, it is mandatory if you travel on a cruise or continue your travel on to another country.

If you're thinking of applying by mail, send your application early. It will take approximately 4 weeks for your application to be processed - this does not include mailing time. If there is missing information, your application will be returned to you for completion, and processing will be delayed. To allow us to serve you better, please read the following checklist to ensure quick and easy processing by mail.

In-person applications submitted to one of our regional offices are processed in ten working days (2 weeks). This does not include the day you submitted your application.

For those Canadians where access to these offices is not convenient, we ask that you clearly indicate your travel dates on your application form and file as early as possible.

Do I now need a passport to travel to the United States?

Though passports are the document of choice for travel, Canadian citizens do not currently require a passport to travel to the United States. However, Passport Canada encourages Canadians who are considering travelling outside Canada to obtain a passport, as it is the most widely accepted proof of Canadian identity and citizenship.

On April 5 th , the United States Government announced the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requiring all visitors to and from the Americas, including Canadian citizens, to present a passport or other accepted secure document (still to be determined by the United States) to enter the United States by December 31 st , 2007 .

The WHTI will be implemented in three phases as follows: December 31 st , 2005 - All citizens (including Canadians and Americans) transiting in the United States en route to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central or South America will require passports December 31 st , 2006 - All citizens (including Canadians and Americans) traveling by air or sea to, from or through the United States will require passports December 31 st , 2007 - All citizens (including Canadians and Americans) traveling by air, sea or land to, from or through the United States will require passports For further information on United States policy, check directly with the US State Department at www.state.gov

Planning a trip?

• Always carry a valid passport whenever you travel outside of Canada. It is the only proof of your citizenship and identity that is accepted in all countries.
• Unlike a birth certificate or driver's licence, a passport can be replaced if it is lost or stolen on your trip.
• A passport may be required for financial or legal transactions, such as cashing travellers' cheques.
• Consult your travel agent or the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit for passport and visa requirements.

For Canadians travelling to the United States: Even though a passport is not required at this time for entry to the United States, it is essential if you decide to go on a cruise or to continue your travel to another country.