ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:  All persons entering Canada by air are required to present a valid U.S. Passport when entering or re-entering the United States.  Land and sea travelers are also encouraged to have a valid U.S. passport. If they do not have a passport, they should be prepared to provide a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver's License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth or naturalization certificate.. 

U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid U.S. passport.  A visa is not required for U.S. citizens to visit Canada of up to 180 days.  Anyone seeking to enter Canada for any purpose besides a visit, (e.g. to work, study or immigrate) should contact the Canadian Embassy or nearest consulate prior to travel.  Anyone with a criminal record (including some misdemeanors such as Driving While Impaired (DWI) charges) may be excluded or removed from Canada, and should contact the Canadian Embassy or nearest Canadian consulate well in advance of any planned travel for further processing, which may take some time.

IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION:   As early as January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the United States and Canada by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. American citizens can visit www.travel.state.gov  or call 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) for information on applying for a passport.

For further information on entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Canada at 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20001, tel. (202) 682-1740, or the Canadian consulates in Buffalo, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York or Seattle.  The Canadian Embassy's website is: http://www.canadianembassy.org/.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Good medical care is widely available and the level of public health and sanitation in Canada is high.  The largely state-run Canadian health care system is managed by each province (e.g. the province of Ontario has its own hospital insurance plan as does each of the other provinces and territories) and is funded by Canadian taxpayers.  Tourists and temporary visitors do not qualify for this health care plan and are well advised to have their own insurance to cover any medical expenses.  Some health care professionals in the province of Quebec might only speak French.

MEDICAL INSURANCE:  The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.

REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: 

Americans living or traveling in Canada are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Canada.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. 

The U.S. Embassy is in Ottawa, Ontario, at 490 Sussex Drive, K1N 1G8, telephone (613) 238-5335, fax (613) 688-3082.  The Embassy website is http://www.usembassycanada.gov.  The Embassy's consular district includes Eastern Ontario (Kingston, Lanark, Leeds, Prescott, Renfrew, Russell and Stormont); and those parts of the Québec regions of Outaouais and Abitibi-Témiscamingue near Ottawa.