Canada is a beautiful country with amazing culture, art, and lots of outdoor activities, which attracts many tourists from other countries. If you want to take your child to Canada, you need to know the required travel documents. In this article, we will show you a complete guide on whether your kids need a passport to enter Canada.
Does A Child Need a Passport to Enter Canada?
Under Canadian law, you must show your valid citizenship and identity when entering Canada, such as a valid passport and visa. However, if you are a child under 16, you can only show proof of U.S. citizenship, such as proof of birth certificate, permanent citizen permit, or identification.
What Does a Child Need to Enter Canada?
If a child wants to enter Canada, they must prepare some required documents. Here are the requirements:
A child under 16
If you are a child under 16 years old, you need to prepare the following documents :
- Proof of citizenship, such as a copy of a birth certificate, or citizenship certificate.
- A parent’s valid passport
- A letter of authorization is signed by both parents or their legal guardians. The document must contain the address and telephone number of the parents or legal guardian.
- Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
If you are not the child’s primary guardian, you must carry a notarized letter of consent from their parents or guardians.
For a Child Above 16
- A valid passport with a validity of more than 6 months.
- Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
You must prepare all the required documents before you and your children enter Canada to avoid the delay of the trip.
What Does a Child Need to Enter Canada by Air, Sea or Road?
There are different ways to enter Canada, such as by air, sea, or road. Travel documents will depend on the travel method you choose. Here you can check the documents below:
By Air
If a child travels in and out of Canada by air, you must have valid passport books. Passport cards or other travel documents are not allowed to travel internationally by air.
By Sea
There are two different ways to enter Canada by sea:
- Closed Loop Cruises: These cruise lines start and end at U.S. ports, which allow children to board ships with birth certificates, citizenship or naturalization certificates.
- Standard Cruises: These cruise lines start or end at a non-U.S. port, which requires adults and children to show a valid passport book.
By Road
If children travel in and out of Canada by road, they may use birth, naturalization or citizenship certificates to prove their identity.
What Documents Can Prove U.S. Citizenship?
To prove your U.S. citizenship, you can use the most common documents below:
- Birth certificate, issued by a U.S. state (born in the United States), or by the U.S. Department of State (born abroad to parents of U.S. citizens who registered the child’s birth and U.S. citizenship with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate)
- A valid U.S. passport with at least 6 months of validity
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Naturalization Certificate of Naturalization ( A person becomes a U.S. citizen after 18 years of age through the naturalization process.)
Bonus Tips for Traveling with Children to Canada
If you’re traveling with children to Canada, it is better for you to know tips to avoid unnecessary problems. Here are some tips you can follow:
- You should prepare all necessary documents for your children, such as a consent letter for children traveling abroad, birth certificate, proof of relationship, and identification documents.
- You should buy health insurance for your child to keep them protected.
- It is necessary to prepare some more daily items for children to save the budget on the way.
- You need to put the GPS finder and your contact information in your kids’ pockets to avoid any loss.
- You should carry recent photographs of your child in case of emergency.
- You must ensure that they eat safe and clean food and live in a safe hotel.
- You should pay attention to the physical and mental condition of the minor child all the time. If they have any problems, you can ask for the health of the local citizens or the police.
- You should expand your expenses if you travel with your children. It is better for you to prepare more money.
FAQ
Can a US child enter Canada with a birth certificate?
Yes, U.S. children can enter Canada with a birth certificate if they are under 16. If they travel to Canada by road with their parents, they only need a valid birth certificate.
Do I need a passport to go to Canada if I have a real ID?
Yes, you are required to provide a valid passport to enter Canada even if you have a real ID. If not, you will be refused entry to Canada.
Which countries can travel to Canada visa-free?
If you are from the following countries, you do not need to apply for a visa in advance. Here is the list of visa-free countries.
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- British
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Caribbean island
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Republic of Korea
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Spain
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Netherlands
Can a child enter Canada with an expired passport?
No, if you are over 16, you must bring a valid passport when entering Canada. The expired passport will not be accepted.
Conclusion
All in all, it is important to prepare all the necessary documents to enter Canada. Make sure your children have valid identification documents and passports before the trip. In addition, you need to ensure the safety and reality of travel plans in Canada if you are not accompanying your kids.
Dolores Xiao