Can us green card holder travel to canada without visa

Canada is widely known for its strict entry requirements. Think Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), visa-required and visa-exempt country lists, or criminal records regulations. These rules may cause many questions to storm into the travelers’ minds.

As a proud Green Card holder, you might ask yourself, “Can I go to Canada with a Green Card?” Is it enough? Is a passport needed? What about some other documents?

Look no further. This article will address every little doubt you might have about visiting Canada as a Green Card holder.

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Unfortunately, a Green Card may not be enough to enter Canada.

Permanent U.S. residents have to present 2 (two) types of documents: an identity proof and proof of status. While the Green Card is a representation of the latter, visitors are still obliged to prepare the document for the first requirement.

The situation is slightly different for children, though. In the case of travelers under the age of 16 (sixteen), a passport may not be required. A birth certificate, for example, may be sufficient. 

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A Green Card holder’s travel to Canada

Canada tempts many tourists worldwide, offering places such as Alberta lakes, national parks, or the famous Niagara Falls.

Are you a Green Card holder wanting to visit one of the most picturesque countries close to the U.S.? While the destination looks like a dream, there are a few requirements that travelers need to meet before entering Canada.

As of 26th of April, 2022, just like U.S. citizens, Green Card holders are no longer required to obtain an eTA before traveling to Canada–it applies to all methods of travel (air, land, and sea). However, a Green Card holder is obliged to prepare the following documents:

• a valid passport from the holder’s country of nationality (or any acceptable travel document)
• a valid Green Card (or any other proof of status, such as a work permit).

It is crucial to make sure that all your documents are not destroyed or torn, and that your passport has not expired before organizing your trip to Canada.

Can I go to Canada with a Green Card and no passport?

As we already know, Canada requires valid identification and travel documents to cross its borders. What if a traveler lacks one of these documents?

While the Green Card provides information about lawful U.S. residence, holders still need to bring documents proving their identity. Does Canada allow tourists to enter the country without a passport? The answer is “yes, but.” There are instances where Green Card holders can go to Canada without a passport. However, they must meet other requirements.

Canadian law demands that travelers always provide a valid identity document regardless of their residence status.

While it is much easier for U.S. citizens–they can present any document issued in the United States–for Green Card holders, the situation is slightly different. If you cannot obtain the passport as a lawful permanent resident, you may request a re-entry permit, for example, which will also benefit your residence status.

Canadian entry requirements

For U.S. Green Card holders, the requirements necessary to cross the Canadian border are relatively the same for all travel methods. Nevertheless, let’s take a quick look at them.

Traveling by air

Using air travel always requires carrying a passport with you. However, as we mentioned, you can replace the passport with another acceptable, equivalent document which proves your identity.

Here, the passport card or the re-entry permit issued by USCIS will be enough. The rules are different for children–regardless of their age, they always have to have a valid passport when traveling by plane.

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 U.S. 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.

If you are planning to travel with children to Canada, you have to take care of some other documents, as well. Since the border services are very cautious with children crossing the border, they may demand the following documents:

• copies of legal custody documents
• a consent letter signed by one of the parents in the case of shared custody
• a consent letter signed by parents–if you are not a legal guardian.

Passport Photo Online

Even though Canada accepts other travel documents to prove your identity, a passport remains the universally-acknowledged travel document. It is recognized by every custom service and airline worldwide. Because of this, carrying a valid passport makes traveling much easier.

Is your passport soon to expire? Do you need a new passport photo? Try Passport Photo Online, an application featured by Forbes and National Geographic, for convenient and professional photo taking.

Can I go to Canada with a Green Card: FAQ

Before entering Canada, Green Card holders must ensure that they have met all necessary requirements. To clarify the issues, let’s answer the most critical questions.

Can I go to Canada with a Green Card only?

Yes, to some degree. The Green Card is proof of permanent residence in the U.S. It is advisable to have yet another document that will prove the traveler’s identity, such as a passport.

Can I go to Canada with a Green Card and no passport?

Yes, you can, under some conditions. The Green Card (or any proof of valid status) and the passport (or any official proof) are required to enter Canada. If you do not own a current passport, you may prepare a different document to present your identity to the customs agents. For Green Card holders, a re-entry permit would be a good option.

Can I go to Canada from the U.S. with a valid Green Card?

Yes, you can. A valid Green Card is evidence that you are a lawful U.S. resident.

Can I go to Canada from the U.S. with a valid Green Card?

Yes, you can. A valid Green Card is evidence that you are a lawful U.S. resident.

Can I go to Canada with a Green Card: closing thoughts

As complicated as it may seem, visiting Canada does not require more preparation from a Green Card holder than from any other tourist. The most crucial thing is to ensure that you have all the necessary documents prepared.

And if you need to apply for documents that require professional photos, Passport Photo Online will help you meet all the requirements, as it has over 1 (one) million people worldwide.

Graduated from the Institute of English Studies at the University of Wrocław, Roxana holds a Master’s degree in psycholinguistics. As a language expert, she is deeply passionate about words and the writing process. She is an author specialized in biometric photography. Her free-time activities are a mixture of sports, books, self-development and travelling (or dreaming about it).