Do the residents of the states need a passport to come to Canada? If not, why not??

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Poutine

It is the same rules going both ways.

Driving, walking, boats
DO NOT need a passport to cross at this time (will change in 2008).

Flying
you must have a passport (or other specialized ID) starting today.

There has never been a big problem with illegal US immigrants coming to Canada or Canadians going to the US (we are generally white and speak the same language so nobody really cares - sad but true).

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/alerts/whti/documents_needed.xml
# As of January 23, 2007, ALL persons*, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.
# As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons*, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

â™«Mariaâ™ª

you don't need a passport as far as I know and I'm Canadian. I think you just need a passport to get into america cuz americans are anal and think we're all out to get them..ahhh watch out for those Canadian toonies...ahh we're coming for you!!

don't come to Canada. we'll kidnap you, call you an alien and place toonies all over you so we can spy of your pathetic country!

ann m

At the moment you need a passport to enter Canada only if you fly in,starting in 2007, over the border is in 2008 I think.

Dude

No, but they'll need one to get back into the US when they return home.

Cariad

No, you do not need one to COME to Canada. You require one to go back to the USA though, and that can be important.

Reason? The Western Hemisphere Initative is an American based law. The Canadian government has not said that Americans coming to Canada need anything more than your standard proof of citizenship (normally a birth certificate) and government issued photo ID. (normally a drivers license) A passport can be use too. :)

Why is there so much confusion? Because of the way the WHTI was worded. "between" is a word that most of us mean "both ways". But, it is incorrectly used in this case, with the wrong connotations. Look at any Canadian tourism site and they will talk about all the hassles and delays for getting a Canadian passport to GO TO the USA. It never mentions how Americans need a passport to come here.

Shauna

We didn't used to need one, but we do as of this year.

JuanB

Canadians or Americans crossing the border by car, bus, train, or foot do not need a passport and wont for at minimum for another year.

Why? Something about the world's longest undefended border.

ashok

If you are driving in, you don't need it now (only in 2008) but if you are flying, yes you do need. Why - to identify if you are innocent or terrorist.

Jim C

You do now.Homeland security!

krupsk

Yes we do now. The reason is to tighten the borders because of terrorism.

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