International Students: Can Canadians Visit The Us?

Canadian citizens do not typically require a visa to enter the United States, and the same is true for Canadian students. However, there are some exceptions. For instance, F-1 and J-1 student visa holders may need a visa even for a one-day trip to Canada and back. If you are an international student in Canada and you plan to visit the US, you will need a passport valid for at least six months, your Form I-20 or DS-2019, your US F-1 or J-1 visa, and a Canadian entry visa if required.

Canadian citizens don't need a US visa

Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the United States. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Canadian citizens who have been deported or removed from the United States, or those with a criminal record, will need to follow a separate set of procedures to enter the country.

Canadian citizens travelling by air to the United States must present a valid passport. Alternatively, they can use a NEXUS card, which is used at self-serve kiosks at designated airports. This requirement applies to all Canadian citizens, including children, travelling by air, or even just transiting through the United States. Canadian citizens entering the US by land or sea must have a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant travel document.

Canadian citizens who are students also do not require a visa to enter the US. All Canadian citizen F-1 and J-1 students arriving by air or at a land border will receive an electronic I-94, for which a small fee is charged. Customs and Border Protection agents are most familiar with admitting Canadian citizens as visitors, so it is the responsibility of the student to ensure they are granted the correct immigration status when entering the US.

Canadian citizens intending to stay in the US for longer than 30 days must register with the US Government. Failure to comply with the registration requirement could result in penalties, fines, and misdemeanour prosecution.

Canadian students need a valid travel endorsement to re-enter the US from Canada

Canadian citizens do not require a US visa to enter the United States. However, they must have a valid travel endorsement to re-enter the US from Canada. A valid travel endorsement is required for Canadian students to re-enter the US after visiting Canada. The International Student Services (ISS) at the University at Buffalo highlights that it takes 7-10 business days to process a travel endorsement request. Therefore, students should plan ahead and not wait until the last minute to request an endorsement.

Canadian citizens typically do not need a visa to enter the US, although there are some exceptions. For instance, Canadian students with F-1 or J-1 visas who plan to travel to Canada, even for a day, may need a visa to re-enter the US. They must ensure they have a valid travel endorsement on their I-20 or DS-2019 form before mailing their visa application to the Canadian consulate. Additionally, they must provide proof of Canadian citizenship upon entry to the US, such as a valid passport or a NEXUS card when travelling by air.

It is important to note that Customs and Border Protection agents are more familiar with admitting Canadian citizens as visitors rather than full-time students. Hence, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure they are granted the correct immigration status when entering the US. Students should consult their Designated School Official (DSO) before travelling to ensure they have the required documentation, such as a current SEVIS Form I-20 endorsed for travel and signed by the DSO.

Furthermore, students should be aware that if they have completed their program and wish to travel to Canada during their grace period, their I-20/DS-2019 form cannot be endorsed. Once they depart the US during this grace period, they cannot re-enter in F or J status. Therefore, Canadian students intending to travel to the US from Canada must carefully review the required documents for their specific situation and any current travel alerts before planning their trip.

Visa Waiver Program for certain countries

Canadian citizens do not require a U.S. visa to enter the United States. However, citizens of certain countries may be able to travel to the USA without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP is a program of the United States government that allows nationals of specific countries to travel to the United States for tourism, business, or while in transit for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa. This applies to all fifty US states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

To be eligible for the VWP, travellers must be citizens or nationals of the participating countries. As of 2025, 42 countries are eligible for the VWP. Travellers must also have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel and meet all requirements. An ESTA can be applied for online and it is recommended that this is done at least 72 hours before travelling. An approved ESTA does not guarantee entry into the US, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port of entry have the authority to permit or deny admission.

There are certain activities that are permitted under the VWP. These include short-term training (as long as you are not paid by any source in the US), participation in musical, sports, or similar events as an amateur, and enrolment in a short recreational course of study not for credit. Transiting through the US to other countries is also generally permitted.

To be considered for designation in the VWP, a country must meet various requirements. These include enhanced law enforcement and security-related data sharing with the US, and the maintenance of high counterterrorism, law enforcement, border control, and document security standards.

It is important to note that there are exceptions to the VWP. Since 2016, those who have previously been in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011, or in Cuba on or after January 12, 2021, or who are dual nationals of Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria, are not eligible to travel under the VWP. However, those who travelled to such countries for diplomatic, military, humanitarian, reporting, or legitimate business purposes may have this ineligibility waived by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

F-1 and J-1 visa holders may need a visa for a day trip to Canada

Canadian citizens do not require a US visa and will receive an electronic I-94 upon arrival by air or at a land border. However, F-1 and J-1 visa holders may need a visa even for a one-day trip to Canada. If you need a visa, you must obtain a valid travel endorsement on your I-20 or DS-2019 form before mailing your visa application to the Canadian consulate. The Canadian consulate will only accept visitor visa applications by mail.

It is important to note that travel to Canada is considered departing the US, and most travel rules and documentation requirements apply when returning to the US. A valid travel endorsement is required to re-enter the US from Canada, and processing times for this endorsement are typically 7-10 business days. Therefore, last-minute trips to Canada cannot be accommodated.

Additionally, once you depart the US during your Grace Period (60 days after program completion for F-1 students and 30 days after the program end date for J-1 students), you cannot re-enter with F or J status. If your US visa has expired, you may only re-enter the US from Canada if you have not travelled to another country, stayed in Canada for no longer than 30 days, and your visa has not been cancelled.

For detailed information about visitor visas, refer to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

The US Embassy in Canada issues visas

The US Embassy and six consulates are located throughout the country. The US Embassy is in Ottawa, and there are consulates in Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Non-Canadian resident applicants can expect to wait approximately 600 calendar days for an appointment. There is a free service called the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) that allows US citizens and nationals travelling and living abroad to enrol their trip with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.

To apply for a visitor visa to the US in Canada, applicants must complete a DS-160 application form online, create an appointment profile, select a Canada Post pickup location, pay the non-refundable visa application fee, and schedule a visa interview appointment.

Frequently asked questions