Entry

About USA

A Guide for International Travelers

Learn more about what you need to travel to the U.S.

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Entry Requirements

Canada

For citizens of Canada if traveling by air, a passport is required.

If traveling by land or sea, currently either

(a) a passport, passport card or WHTI-compliant document; or

(b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

Note:
As early as June 1, 2009 requirements for travel by land or sea are expected to change and the U.S. government will begin much stricter enforcement of these new documentary requirements.

Also, upon entry into the United States your photograph and digital fingerprints will be collected. Many countries around the world use biometrics as a way of facilitating the international travel process, protecting travelers against identity theft, and preventing document fraud as well as for security purposes. For more information about these procedures please visit www.dhs.gov/us-visit.

Citizens of Other Countries

New Technology to Smooth Travel Process

Beginning January 12, 2009, all nationals, including children, from the 27 countries participating in the U.S. visa waiver program will be required to obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a U.S.-bound plane or sea vessel. Modeled after a successful Australian program, ESTA is an automated system used to determine the eligibility of VWP visitors to travel to the United States and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk. The program is a relatively simple and effective way to strengthen U.S. security, and that of international travelers, while at the same time helping to preserve the VWP program.

ESTA mirrors the data travelers already submit through the I-94W paper form currently filled out upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry; however, it simplifies the process by allowing visitors to fill out the form online prior to arrival. In order to obtain an ESTA, travelers will need to submit biographic data including name, birth date, and passport information, as well as travel information such as the flight number and destination address in the United States to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The implementation of the ESTA program will allow DHS to eventually eliminate the I-94W paper form.

Each ESTA will be valid for a period of two years and will allow visitors unlimited travel to the United States during that timeframe. An ESTA will not be issued to travelers with a passport that expires within six months of applying for an ESTA. In this instance, the traveler would need to obtain a new passport or apply for a U.S. visa.

While ESTA will become mandatory for all VWP travelers beginning January 12, 2009, visitors can obtain an ESTA as of August 1, 2008 by visiting https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/. Currently only available in English, the site will be translated into a variety of other languages this fall.

In the future, DHS will also allow travelers to obtain an ESTA through an air or sea carrier or a travel agent.

For more information please visit: www.cbp.gov/esta and http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html .