It is your sole responsibility to ensure that you - and any child travelling with you - have all the travel documents necessary to enter in, or transit through, each country on your proposed itinerary. Please ensure you verify the requirements for each country as the required documents for the outbound portion of your travel may differ from those required on the return.
Along with the normal travel documents required to enter Canada, additional documents may be required depending on your country of origin, even if they are used solely to land in Canada and re-board a connecting flight.
For extensive details regarding country-specific visa & health entry requirements, you can visit the Star Alliance Visa & Health search tool in order to determine what you will need for your trip.
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Regulations |
| Travel within Canada |
- Important: In accordance with government regulations, Air Canada is required to check identification at the departure gate for all passengers who appear to be 18 years of age or older. The name on the ID must match the name used on the reservation or ticket. The passenger must present:
- 1 (one) piece of government-issued ID, with photo or
- 2 (two) pieces of government-issued ID, without photo
- Valid government-issued identification documents including name, date of birth and gender may be required when checking in for the flight. For examples and other important information, visit the Passenger Protect website.
- For travellers younger than 18, an original birth certificate or non-government issued ID, i.e. a student card is suggested but not mandatory at this time.
- See below for important information on Travelling with a child.
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| Travel between Canada & the United States |
- All passengers are required to present a valid passport or other valid travel document such as a Nexus card when travelling by air between Canada and the United States. NEXUS members are required to carry appropriate immigration and identity documents in addition to their NEXUS card.
- Information on other accepted travel documents can be found on the Canadian Border Services Agency and U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs websites.
- Landed immigrants in Canada seeking to enter the United States as non-immigrants must possess a valid passport and valid non-immigrant visa in order to enter. For more information visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
- See below for important information on Travelling with a child.
- The Customs and Immigration Information page offers additonal information for travel to and from the United-States.
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| Travel to the USA via Canada from other countries |
- Eligible residents of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries may now apply for advance authorization to travel to the United States via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Effective January 12, 2009, authorization through ESTA will be mandatory for all travel by air to the US from visa waiver program (VWP) countries. For a list of VWP countries or to learn more about ESTA, visit the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
- Only Canadian permanent residents from non visa-waiver countries travelling outside Canada are required to carry a valid Canadian permanent resident (PR) card or a valid visa, in addition to a valid passport, to return to Canada. The IMM1000 Record of Landing is no longer acceptable. Without a valid Canadian PR Card or valid visa, these passengers are not permitted to board the aircraft, and will need to contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate to obtain a limited use travel document to re-enter Canada. For more information, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
- Canadian Certificates of Citizenship are not valid for travel.
- See below for important information on Travelling with a child.
- The Customs and Immigration Information page offers additonal information for travel to and from the United-States.
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| Travel to and from international destinations |
- A valid passport is required to travel to foreign countries for MOST travellers, including children. Some countries may even require a visa. For detailed information on travel to other countries, including entry and exit requirements and any travel advisories, please visit the Canadian Foreign Affairs and International Trade website, or contact the local consulate or embassy of the country you are visiting. Find a list of embassies on the Embassy World website.
- Only Canadian permanent residents from non visa-waiver countries travelling outside Canada are required to carry a valid Canadian permanent resident (PR) card or a valid visa, in addition to a valid passport, to return to Canada. The IMM1000 Record of Landing is no longer acceptable. Without a valid Canadian PR Card or valid visa, these passengers are not permitted to board the aircraft, and will need to contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate to obtain a limited use travel document to re-enter Canada. For more information, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
- See below for important information on Travelling with a child.
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| Travel to and from Argentina |
- Travellers are advised to visit http://www.migraciones.gov.ar/ in order to complete their migratory card required for all travel to Argentina. Please note that although the migratory card form is in English, most content on the website is in Spanish.
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| Travel to and from Australia |
- Travellers to Australia (other than Australians or New Zealanders) require an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or visa. To learn more or apply online, visit: http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/
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Passports
Your passport remains the best internationally-accepted evidence of your citizenship. It may be required for any number of financial or legal transactions abroad, and can be replaced if stolen while you are away, unlike a birth certificate or driver's license.
You and your family need valid passports for travel to most countries, including return travel to Canada. Never assume otherwise. We strongly recommend customers not holding valid passports apply for new ones well in advance of travel plans.
All passengers, including Canadian and U.S. citizens, are required to present a valid passport or other valid travel document such as a Nexus card when travelling by air between Canada and the United States.
Some countries require that your passport be valid for six months beyond your date of entry. You are advised to check the Voyage.gc.ca website to establish whether the six-month rule applies to your destination.
Travel documents for children
Prior to any travel that includes a child, parents should contact the embassy or consulate of all the countries the child will be visiting to enquire about entry and exit requirements.
Although some countries still allow for a child to travel on his parent's passport, Canada requires that all passengers, including children, carry their own passport when travelling by air to another country.
In addition, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has recommended a policy requiring every individual, including a child, who travels by air to have his or her own travel document.
The following documents may also be required for any travel that includes a child, both within Canada and abroad:
- Birth certificates showing the names of both parents.
- Any legal documents pertaining to custody.
- A parental consent letter authorizing travel (if the child is travelling with one parent, the letter must be signed and dated by the other parent; if the child is travelling without his parents, the letter must be signed and dated by both parents.)
- A death certificate if one of the parents is deceased.
You may also view valuable information from the Government of Canada on children and travel, or refer to the ‘Identification requirements’ section of our Travelling with an infant or child page.
Visas
You should check with your travel agent or the appropriate foreign diplomatic or consular missions about the visa requirements for the countries that you plan to visit or transit through.
- Obtain visas well in advance of your anticipated departure date; this may involve mailing your passport to the visa-issuing mission.
- Some countries require passports to be valid for a minimum period before they will issue a visa.
- There may be an extended delay if you apply for a visa from a third country while you are travelling.
- Visas can be quite expensive. You should include their cost in the budget for your trip. Make photocopies of your visas, and keep them separate from the originals.
Entry and exit requirements
On your arrival in a foreign country, be prepared to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your intended stay and that you will be admitted to the next country on your itinerary. (For example, have a visa for that country if it's required.) Many countries will grant entry only if you're in possession of return or onward tickets.
Some countries impose exit controls, which may include exit permits, proof of payment of local taxes if applicable, payment or sometimes very costly fines for visa overstays, etc. In some countries, you must register with local authorities if you're not staying at a recognized hotel. Otherwise, your departure may be delayed, or you may be fined when you leave.
Permanent resident (PR) cards
Only Canadian permanent residents from non visa-waiver countries travelling outside Canada are required to carry a valid Canadian permanent resident (PR) card or a valid visa, in addition to a valid passport, to return to Canada by commercial carrier. The PR card provides proof of your immigration status. Without it, you will not be allowed to board the carrier back to Canada. Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents from visa-waiver countries do not need a PR card.
The PR card is valid for five years. CHECK THE EXPIRY DATE AND APPLY FOR A NEW ONE AT LEAST TWO MONTHS BEFORE YOU TRAVEL.
For more information on valid Canadian travel documents and current application processing times, visit the Passport Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada websites.
