Permanent residents of Canada often wonder whether they will need a U.S. visa if they wish to travel to America. Unfortunately for most, the answer is yes. This article will go into the details of this situation and how to apply for a visa.

Now that Canada has announced entry restrictions on travellers from countries affected by Ebola virus epidemic, one thing that came on the mind of many Canadians is whether they will need a visa to enter the U.S. This article will hopefully give Canadian nationals a bit of clarity on this matter.

Does Canadian Permanent Resident Needs Visa For Usa

Canada and the United States share the longest undefended border in the world. As such, there are nearly a million people living in one country who commute to work in the other daily. That is not including the hundreds of thousands of American citizens who visit Canada for pleasure, tourism and business every year. The ability to move between Canada and the United States has never been easier, but some people might not know this.

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda

Visa Requirements – Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada

Citizens of Canada traveling to the United States do not require a nonimmigrant visa, except for the travel purposes described below. Canadian citizens who are inadmissible to the United States under immigration law, or have previously violated the terms of their immigration status in the United States can Learn More about ineligibilities related to Canadians on the CBP website. Canadian citizens with ineligibilities also have the option of applying for a visa and a waiver at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate if it is more convenient for them.

Canadians require nonimmigrant visas for temporary travel to the United States for these purposes:

• Foreign government officials (A); officials and employees of international organizations (G); and NATO officials, representatives, and employees assigned to the United States (NATO)
• Treaty traders (E-1)
• Treaty investors (E-2)
• Spouse or Child of an Australian Treaty Alien coming to the United States Solely to Perform Services in a Specialty Occupation (E-3D)
• Fiancé(e)s (K-1)
• Children of fiancé(e)s (K-2)
• Spouse of a U.S. citizen traveling to the United States to complete the immigration process (K-3)
• Children of a foreign citizen spouse (K-4) described above
• Informant supplying critical information relating to a criminal organization (S-5)
• Informant supplying critical information relating to terrorism (S-6)
• Qualified family member (S-7) of an S-5 or S-6 visa holder described above

Permanent residents (landed immigrants) of Canada must have a nonimmigrant visa unless the permanent resident is a national of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), meets the VWP requirements, and is seeking to enter the United States for 90 days or less under that program.

Additional resources for Canadian visitors to the United States can be found on the U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites in Canada – including information for Entering the United States and Business Travel to the United States.

Visa Requirements – Citizens of Bermuda

Citizens of Bermuda traveling to the United States do not require a nonimmigrant visa for travel up to 180 days, except for the travel purposes described below. Additionally, Bermudian citizens do not require a visa unless they are ineligible for a visa under U.S. immigration law, or have previously violated the terms of their immigration status in the U.S.

Citizens of Bermuda require nonimmigrant visas when traveling to the U.S. for these purposes:

• Foreign government officials (A); and officials and employees of international organizations (G)
• Fiancé(e)s (K-1)
• Children of fiancé(e)s (K-2)
• Spouse of a U.S. citizen traveling to the United States to complete the immigration process (K-3)
• Children of a foreign citizen spouse (K-4) described above
• Informant supplying critical information relating to a criminal organization (S-5)
• Informant supplying critical information relating to terrorism (S-6)
• Qualified family member (S-7) of an S-5 or S-6 visa holder described above
• Other travel purposes where the intended stay is longer than 180 days

Additional resources for Bermudian visitors to the U.S. can be found on the U.S. Consulate Hamilton website under Visa Exemptions for Bermudians.

Entering the United States

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States. Learn more about admissions and entry requirements, restrictions about bringing food, agricultural products, and other restricted/prohibited goods, and more by reviewing the CBP website.

What do I need to know about travelling to the United States?

You should check with United States (US) authorities before you try to enter the US. Only American officials can provide authoritative information on visa requirements to travel to the US.

Permanent Residents of Canada

If you are a permanent resident of Canada you may need to obtain a non-immigrant visa in order to enter the US. You must get a visa from the American authorities before you enter the US. It is a good idea to apply well ahead of the time you plan to travel.

You must also have a valid passport from your country of citizenship.

If you are a citizen of a country with a visa waiver agreement, you do not need a visa to enter the US. See a list of countries in the Visa Waiver Program and read more about the program.

No matter how you travel back to Canada, you must prove to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer that you have valid Permanent Resident status. This applies to all family members who are permanent residents, including children.

For more information about documents required to return to Canada, read Do I really need the PR Card to travel back to Canada?

United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT)

The US has security programs at US ports of entry (land, sea and air). Most visitors to the US, including those who are permanent residents of Canada, will have their fingerprints scanned by an inkless device and a digital photograph taken. Read more about US-VISIT from the US Department of Homeland Security.

If you travel to the US frequently, you may want to get more information about Trusted Traveller Programs.

Canadian Citizens

If you are a Canadian citizen, you do not need a visa to enter the US unless you plan to work, study, invest or immigrate.

Canadian citizens should carry a valid Canadian passport when entering the US or transiting through the US to another country. Find information and assistance for Canadian citizens travelling to the United States.

If you travel to the US frequently, you may want to get more information about Trusted Traveller Programs.

For More Information

• US Embassy in Canada – This is the website for the US Embassy in Ottawa.
• American Consular Services: Visa Waiver Program – Information about the Visa Waiver Program.
• American Consular Services: US Visa Information – Information about US visa requirements and how to apply.
• US Department of State – Websites of US embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions abroad.
• US-Canada Border Crossing Information – Live information about traffic, wait times and road conditions for different border crossing ports.