Can a Candian Citizen Fly to the U.S. Without a Passport?

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Dr.Henry17

You can use a Nexus card instead of a passport to fly into the US. The Nexus card is a secure clearance. You need to apply for it and be approved both by Canada and the US. Once you have a Nexus card you clear customs faster. A Nexus card can only be used if you are flying between two airports that are both on the Nexus program or crossing at a land crossing that is participating.

The Nexus card is not really an alternative for a passport. It is designed for people who travel a lot between Canada and the US so that you can use biometrics to clear customs faster as a person who has been previously screened. It takes longer to get than a passport as you need to be interviewed before getting approved, it costs about the same as a passport and in the end it is only useful for the US and not for international travel and even with the US only from major airports.

davem

Everyone needs a passport to fly from Canada to the U.S. now. Going by land you can use a birth certificate and at least one piece of government issued photo-identification like a driver's license.

Charlie

To fly, you must have a passport, for land travel, passport is not yet needed. See site below.

tonalc2

Actually, if you have a NEXUS card, it is considered a WHTI-compliant document, and could be used in lieu of a passport.

Confirmation here:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html

SteveN

You need a passport or other secure WHTI-compliant document to fly. These documents are mandatory for AIR travel since September 2007.

What Lindy indicated about only needing a passport as of June 2009 is only correct for anyone who wants to visit the states by LAND or SEA.

As for a NEXUS card, it is a WHTI-compliant document, but I believe that it is harder to get and more expensive than a passport. It is mainly used by people who have to cross the border on a regular basis, such as US/Canada truck drivers.

cw21dlr

You do indeed need a passport to fly from any Canadian city into the State.
The Nexus card is basically intended for those who cross the border frequently (to work, etc.) If you have a NEXUS card, it can indeed take the place of a passport; but, in order to obtain a NEXUS card, you need a passport to begin with so obviously if you have a NEXUS card issued to you, you have a valid passport. They do the same check on you as they do for a passport application, i.e. no criminal record, etc.

Lindy

You don't need a passport yet. That comes into effect in 2009. So if you are travelling in the next few months all you need is a government issued ID with your photo; like a driver's licence. I just came back from the US so I know this.

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