The United States and Canada share the largest boundary around the world. Hundreds of thousands of people cross between these two countries every day. The close relationship makes it necessary to launch special cross-border travel provisions. According to the Canadian government, US citizens do not need to apply for a Canada Visa or Canada eTA to visit Canada.
Imagine that you finally obtain a Green Card after great efforts. Now you are a permanent resident in America. You might ask “Can I travel to Canada with Green Card?” “Are there any other supporting documents?” “What if I transit in Canada?” This passage will address all these questions. Just move on to find out the answers.
Do Green Card Holders Need a Visa for Canada?
No. Neither visa nor Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required. As of April 26, 2022, Green Card holders can enter Canada with the following documents no matter in which way they arrive in the nation.
- A valid passport or equivalent acceptable travel permits
- A valid Green Card (or other equivalent acceptable proof of status)
US citizens or lawful permanent residents could stay in Canada for up to six months without visas as tourists. However, if you are planning to work or study there, you should apply for certain immigration permits.
Green Card Holder Travel to Canada Requirements
These two countries are so close that you can travel to Canada by air, by land, or by sea. Please keep in mind that a green card grants your lawful rights to live and work in the US, but not entry into other countries, including Canada. You should present proof of citizenship while crossing the border. Specific requirements might vary depending on the traveling method.
Traveling by Air
You should always carry an identity proof and proof of status to board the flight. The former refers to a passport book, passport card, or re-entry permit issued by USCIS.
The latter could be one of the following:
- A valid Green Card
- Foreign passport with a valid temporary I-551 stamp
- Foreign passport with a temporary I-551 printed notation on a machine-readable immigrant visa upon endorsement with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection admission stamp
- Expired Green Card with Form I-797 for pending Form I-751, or Form I-829.
- Expired Green Card with Form I-797 for pending Form I-90
- Valid re-entry permit
- Form I-94 with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp and a passport-style photo
However, minors have to hold passports despite their age. Border services officers might be more cautious of visitors with kids. If you enter Canada with your minor child alone, it is suggested to prepare the following documents.
- Photocopy of the kid’s birth certificate
- A signed letter of consent from the absent parent, including information like his/her address and contact.
- Photocopy of the signed passport or national ID card of the parent who is not traveling
- Photocopy of the legal custody documents if you share custody when you are separated or divorced from the parent who is not traveling.
- Photocopy of the legal custody documents and a letter of authorization signed by the parent with custody if you don’t have custody when you are separated or divorced from the parent who is not traveling.
- Photocopy of the death certificate if one of the parents has passed away.
Traveling by Land/Sea
These types of trips are much easier as they do not require carrying a passport either from adults or children. Permanent US residents, however, will still need to present proof of their status. When it comes to identification, the documents mentioned above will suffice; for children, it can be a birth certificate.
Visa-free Countries for Green Card Holders Besides Canada
American citizens have the privilege to visit more than 170 countries without visas. Some countries offer equal benefits to permanent residents. Here is a list of popular visa-free countries for Green Card holders except for Canada.
- Mexico
- Costa Rica
- Georgia
- The British Virgin Islands
- Aruba and Curaçao
- The Balkans
- Singapore
- Peru
Please note that this is not the complete list. You are supposed to check the visa policy of your destination country before starting.
FAQs: Travel to Canada from the US
Q: Can I travel to Canada with a Green Card without a passport?
A: Yes, as long as you can provide another equivalent proof of identity, such as a re-entry permit or passport card.
Q: Can Green Card holders travel through Canada?
A: Yes. You can transit in Canadian airports with a Green Card and a valid passport of your nationality.
Q: How long can I stay in Canada with a US Green Card?
A: 180 days for the purpose of touring, or visiting friends or family. You must ask for an extension over 180 days.
Q: Will traveling to Canada affect my permanent resident status?
A: Generally not. However, there is a risk of losing your permanent resident status when staying outside the US for more than one year because USCIS thinks that you are giving up America as your primary home. Supposing that you are going to stay abroad for longer than one year, you are supposed to get a re-entry permit from USCIS before leaving the US, so you can return to the US smoothly.
Q: Can I travel to Canada while my Green Card application is being processed?
A: Yes, but you should apply for a visa as a tourist and the duration of stay is usually shorter than that for permanent residents. It is strongly recommended not to make detailed arrangements for your stay in Canada until you obtain the Green Card.
Summary
After learning about travel to Canada requirements from the US, you must have found the answer to the question: Can you go to Canada with a Green Card? Yes. It serves as proof of permanent residency status in the US. As long as you carry a valid passport issued by the country of your nationality, you can travel to Canada with a Green Card and without a visa.
Dolores Xiao