Your need for a Canada immigration passport is basically determined by your mode of travel. If you are traveling by air, then here is what you should take note of. A visa is not required for Canadians who want to visit the United States by air. However, citizens traveling by road are required to have a Canada immigration passport. This requirement was made effective starting last January 23, 2007. This was the time when the WHTI took effect. WHTI stands for Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. If you intend to enter the US by air but do not have a valid passport, you can still enter but you have to present a NEXUS card.

If you are traveling by sea or land, then a Canada immigration passport is not required. This rule will change however starting June 1, 2009. By then, whether you travel to the United States by water, land, or air, you will be required to present a Canada immigration passport. For now though, all you need is a photo ID that has been issued by the Government of Canada. Examples of this include driver’s license, identity card, birth certificate and others. Along with the ID you also need to present your birth certificate or your citizenship card. Even though not required, you can still present your valid Canada immigration passport if you do not have the photo ID, citizenship card, or birth certificate. A valid Canada immigration passport will still gain you entry into the US.

Canadian citizens from 15 years of age and below will not be required to present a Canada immigration passport when traveling to the US. Minors will only be required to present proof of their citizenship. Also, Canadian citizens that are 18 years old and younger may present proof of citizenship only when traveling in a group with an approved supervision of an adult. On the other hand, Canadian business visitors, investors and treaty traders, professionals and intra-company transferees are required to have TN visas instead of a Canada immigration passport. The TN visa will allow them to work in the United States. A citizen of a country under NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) can have a professional occupation in another country that is under NAFTA, as long as the citizen applying for job in the foreign country meets the TN visa requirements. TN visas are valid for one year but are renewable indefinitely with yearly increments.

To summarize, the requirement for Canadians to travel to the US by air is only having a valid Canada immigration passport. However, if you think that your Canada immigration passport is not enough and you are still in doubt whether you will be granted entry, then go ahead and apply for a visa. Keep in mind there are different types of United States visas. Examples of the visa categories that are obligated to have a non-immigrant visa are Foreign Government Officials (A), NATO officials, and Employees and Officials of international organizations (G). Treaty traders (E-1), and Treaty investors (E-2). Essentially, any Canadian and non-Canadian citizen working and visiting the United States is required to have a non-immigrant visa as well. So, if you are a Canadian citizen looking to enter and work in the US, you will need a TN visa, not just a Canada Immigration passport.

About the Author:

As President of International Legal Counsel, LLC, a Law Firm located in South Florida, Attorney Sonia M. Munoz guides foreign nationals through immigration to the United States. Visit their website to learn what to look for when choosing a good lawyer that specializes in Immigration in the United States.