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Do Canadian citizens need a visa for the United States?
Canada 
United States Canada passport holders can enter the United States without a visa for up to 180 days.
No visa needed
- Entry requirement
- Visa-free
- Maximum stay
- 180 days
- Apply before travel
- No
- Last updated
- February 2026
Before you travel
Checked November 2026⚠️ CBP directs travellers to apply only through the official ESTA site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov; look-alike sites charge extra service fees. Use only the official links below.
At the border
- Passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the planned stay, unless your country has an exemption agreement with the US.
- Visa Waiver Program travellers must hold an electronic passport (e-Passport) and an approved ESTA before boarding.
- Visa applicants should be ready to show the trip purpose, ties to home, and the means to pay for the visit.
- Visitors may not work; admission and length of stay are decided by the CBP officer at the port of entry and recorded on the electronic I-94.
- Overstaying automatically voids the visa and can affect future eligibility.
Recent changes
- September 2025: ESTA fee rose from USD 21 to USD 40 (collected from 30 September 2025); the official ESTA site now lists USD 40.62.
- October 2025: interview waivers were sharply narrowed (State Department notice of 18 September 2025, effective 1 October 2025); most visa applicants now need an in-person interview.
- 2025-2026: the ESTA application now asks for a selfie photo of the traveller.
Official source: U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov) · Not yet confirmed officially: eta.processing: exact ESTA processing time (commonly cited as up to 72 hours) could not be read on the official FAQ, Date when the ESTA fee moved from USD 40 to USD 40.62, Visa Integrity Fee (USD 250, set by the 2025 HR-1 law): not shown on the official State Department fee page, so collection status is unconfirmed and it is left out, Selfie requirement start date
What Canada passport holders need to do
- Check your passport validity. Many countries ask for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date.
- Be ready to show a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and proof of funds at the border.
- Leave before the permitted stay ends. Working or studying usually needs a different visa.
Canada is one of 4 passports in the “visa-free” group for the United States. See the full United States visa requirements for every passport.
Other easy destinations in North America for Canada passport holders
The United States is one of 116 destinations in the “visa-free” group for the Canada passport, which ranks #8 worldwide with a mobility score of 160. Of 22 destinations in North America, 21 need no visa arranged in advance; the easiest are listed below.
| Destination | Requirement | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
 Antigua and Barbuda | Visa-free | 180 days |
 Bahamas | Visa-free | 240 days |
 Barbados | Visa-free | 180 days |
 Belize | Visa-free | – |
 Costa Rica | Visa-free | 180 days |
 Dominica | Visa-free | 180 days |
 Dominican Republic | Visa-free | – |
 El Salvador | Visa-free | 180 days |
 Grenada | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Guatemala | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Haiti | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Honduras | Visa-free | 90 days |
Frequently asked questions
Do Canadian citizens need a visa for the United States?
Canada passport holders can enter the United States without a visa for up to 180 days.
How long can Canada passport holders stay in the United States?
Up to 180 days without a visa.
Do United States citizens need a visa for Canada?
United States passport holders can enter Canada without a visa for up to 180 days.
United States visa requirements for other passports
Data last updated February 2026. This page covers short visits such as tourism. Rules can change at short notice and differ for work, study or long stays. Confirm with the embassy or official immigration website of the United States before you book.