Canadian citizens – with proof of Canadian citizenship – can travel to the U.S. for a maximum of 182 days (6 months) each year. With a few exceptions, Canadian citizens are exempt from US-VISIT. Proof of citizenship is, however, required in the form of an original Canadian birth certificate, Canadian citizenship card or valid Canadian passport. If using a birth certificate as proof of citizenship, you will also require a separate form of government-issued photo ID to prove your identity. The CSA recommends using a valid Canadian passport as the single internationally-recognized travel document that proves both a person's identity as well as citizenship.

Canadian permanent residents – living in Canada but not a Canadian citizen – are subject to US-VISIT and will be digitally photographed and finger scanned in order to enter the United States. Since last year the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has expanded the number of border crossings where US-VISIT is operational. As a result, some snowbirds may encounter US-VISIT for the first time this fall depending upon when they travelled south last year as well as the specific border crossing location at which they crossed. By the end of this year – December 31, 2005 – DHS plans to have US-VISIT operational at all 165 land border crossings as well as airports and seaports. Please note a non-Canadian citizen is also limited to a maximum of 90 days per visit.

August 22, 2005