Canada to United States tourist visa
Complete guide to visiting the United States as a Canadian citizen. No visa required for stays up to 6 months. Learn about passport requirements, NEXUS, border entry, and what to bring.
- Visa
- United States Visa-Free Entry
- Fee
- Free
- Processing time
- No application required
- Length of stay
- Up to 6 months
Required documents
- Valid Canadian Passport — Required for all air travel to the United States
- Purpose of Visit — Be prepared to explain why you are visiting the United States
- Clean Criminal Record — No criminal convictions that would make you inadmissible
Common questions
- Do Canadian citizens need a visa to visit the United States?
- No. Canadian citizens are visa-exempt for tourism and business visits to the United States. You can stay for up to 6 months without a visa. Simply present your passport or other WHTI-compliant document at the border.
- How long can Canadians stay in the US without a visa?
- Canadian citizens can stay in the United States for up to 6 months (180 days) per visit for tourism or business purposes. The exact duration is determined by the CBP officer at the port of entry. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for an extension before your authorized stay expires.
- What documents do Canadians need to enter the US?
- For air travel, you need a valid Canadian passport. For land or sea crossings, you can use a passport, NEXUS card, SENTRI card, FAST card, or Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) issued by BC, Manitoba, Ontario, or Quebec.
- Do Canadians need ESTA to visit the United States?
- No. Canadians do not need ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). ESTA is only for citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries. Canada has a separate, more favorable arrangement that allows visa-free entry without any pre-authorization.
- What is NEXUS and should I get it?
- NEXUS is a trusted traveler program for pre-approved, low-risk travelers between Canada and the US. It costs $120 USD for 5 years and provides dedicated lanes at land borders, Global Entry kiosks at US airports, and TSA PreCheck. Highly recommended if you travel to the US more than a few times per year.
- Can Canadians work in the US on a tourist visit?
- No. Visa-free entry only permits tourism, visiting family or friends, attending business meetings or conferences, and similar activities. Any paid employment, even short-term, requires a work visa such as a TN visa, H-1B, or L-1.