Victoria BC Tourism

Lesson 1: Before You Leave Home

Visa & Passport Requirements

For U.S. Residents, a passport is the ideal identification, but you do not require a passport or visa to enter Canada. Just make sure you carry identification to establish your citizenship such as a Birth Certificate and least one ID card with photo. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen, you should carry this certificate. Permanent residents of the U.S.A. must bring their "Green Card".

Some passport holders from other countries do not require a visa to visit Canada. All you need is a valid passport, a return ticket and sufficient funds to support yourself and your dependents during your stay in Canada.

These are the countries of origin where a visa is not required:  Citizens of Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Britain, Brunei, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel (National Passport holders only), Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Republic of Korea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Slovenia, Switzerland, United States, and Western Samoa;

Most other Countries require a visa to enter Canada. To see whether you require a visa, visit the Canada Citizenship & Immigration website. There are some important exceptions listed on the same page.

Visas are obtained by applying through the visa office at a Canadian Embassy or High Commission or Consulate in your country

If you are bringing children into Canada, you must have identification similar to what is required as an adult. If you do not have legal custody of the child, you must have a letter of permission from the child's parent(s) or legal guardian. An unaccompanied minor should have a letter or permission from parents or legal guardian. If you are divorced, then you should carry legal documents establishing your custody rights.

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