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USA Entry for Canadian Citizens: No Visa or ESTA

Canadian citizens need no visa or ESTA to visit the USA for tourism or temporary business. Show a valid passport to CBP.

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Visa information

US Visa for Canadian citizens

For tourism, family visits and business meetings, usually for up to 6 months.

visa free

Canadian citizens do not need a visa or ESTA for tourism or business visits to the US.

Visa

Not needed

No ESTA either. You enter with a valid passport.

Stay per visit

Usually 6 months

Set by the CBP officer at entry, up to 1 year.

Paid work

Not allowed

Visitor status does not allow paid work in the US.

Status at entry

Visa-exempt visitor

For business or tourism, without a visa.

Passport

Passport or NEXUS card

NEXUS, FAST or SENTRI cards work at some crossings.

Visa still needed for

E, K, S or V

Treaty traders, fiancés and a few others still need a visa.

Extension

Up to 6 months more

Ask USCIS before your authorised stay ends.

Registration

If staying 30+ days

Land arrivals without an I-94 file Form G-325R with USCIS.

Check Your US Entry Rules

No visa or ESTA needed. Confirm what to carry: a Canadian passport or a NEXUS, FAST or SENTRI card.

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Start with a free eligibility check. You pay after you fill in the application form.

Last checked in October 2026. Sources: 8 CFR 212.1, Canadian citizens (eCFR), Alien registration requirement (USCIS), 8 CFR 214.2(b), admission of visitors (eCFR)

US Visa documents for Canadian citizens

Canadian Passport

A valid Canadian passport is required when you arrive in the USA, except in the cases below.

NEXUS, FAST or SENTRI Card

At land or sea crossings, a NEXUS, FAST or SENTRI card can be used instead of a passport.

Children Under 16

Arriving by land or sea, children under 16 may show a birth certificate or Canadian citizenship card instead of a passport.

Registration After 30 Days

Without an I-94, a stay of 30 days or longer needs USCIS registration (Form G-325R). An I-94 requested online counts instead.

Visa for Some Categories

A visa is still required for E (treaty trader or investor), K, S and V categories. Visitors cannot work in the USA.

US Visa application steps for Canadian citizens

Your journey to the United States in 4 easy steps.

Confirm Your Citizenship

The exemption covers Canadian citizens. Permanent residents of Canada follow the rules for their own nationality.

Choose Your Document

A valid Canadian passport. At land or sea crossings, a NEXUS, FAST or SENTRI card can replace it.

Know Your Stay

The CBP officer sets your stay. B-2 visitors issued an I-94 get at least 6 months; any admission is at most 1 year.

Register for 30+ Days

Entering by land without an I-94 and staying 30 days or longer? Register with USCIS or request an I-94 online first.

US Visa cost for Canadian citizens

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We are not affiliated with any government or embassy. Visa decisions are made solely by the consulate.

Estimates only - not legal advice or a guarantee. Total cost may include third-party fees beyond the government fee and our services.

Entry Requirements Check

Government fee

Service fee

No application and no processing time
Accepted documents by air, land and sea
30-day registration rule explained
Checklist of what to carry

Check My Entry Rules

Which US Visa do you need?

Visa-exempt visit

No visa or ESTA for tourism, family visits or business meetings. The CBP officer sets the length of stay, usually up to 6 months.

Registration for long stays

If you stay 30 days or more and got no I-94 record at a land border, you must register with USCIS on Form G-325R. This applies to each such trip.

Visas that Canadians still need

E treaty trader or investor, K fiancé(e) or spouse, S and V categories still need a visa from a US consulate.

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Individual results may vary. The consulate makes the final decision.

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US Visa FAQ for Canadian passport holders

Do Canadian citizens need a visa for the USA?

No. Canadian citizens generally do not need a visa or an ESTA to visit the USA for tourism, to see family or friends, or for temporary business. You show a valid Canadian passport to CBP, and at land or sea crossings a NEXUS, FAST or SENTRI card can replace it. The CBP officer decides how long you can stay. A visa is still needed for the E, K, S and V categories, and you cannot work in the USA as a visitor. Under a current CDC order, travellers who are not US citizens and were in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days cannot enter the USA.

How long can Canadian citizens stay in the USA?

The CBP officer at the port of entry sets your stay. B-2 visitors who are issued an I-94 are admitted for at least 6 months, and any B-1 or B-2 admission is at most 1 year. Canadians admitted at a land border are generally not issued an I-94, so if you plan to stay 30 days or longer, check the registration rule before you travel.

Do Canadian visitors need to register in the USA?

Only for longer stays. Canadians admitted without an I-94, which is usual at land borders, must register with USCIS on Form G-325R if they stay 30 days or longer. Requesting an I-94 online at i94.cbp.dhs.gov before the trip counts as registration. This alien registration rule has applied since 11 April 2025, and DHS published the final rule on 29 June 2026.

What documents do Canadian citizens need to enter the USA?

A valid Canadian passport. At land or sea crossings, a NEXUS, FAST or SENTRI card can be used instead, and children under 16 arriving by land or sea may show a birth certificate or Canadian citizenship card. Permanent residents of Canada who are not Canadian citizens travel under the rules for their own nationality, which may mean an ESTA or a visa.

Can Canadian citizens work in the USA without a visa?

No. Visa-free entry covers visits, tourism and temporary business, and you cannot work in the USA as a visitor. A visa is still required for the E (treaty trader or investor), K, S and V categories. The CBP officer at the port of entry decides on your admission and on how long you can stay.

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