Can I travel to Canada with an enhanced driver's license?
Enhanced Drivers License (EDL): This optional travel document also serves as a New York State Driver's License and will be accepted as an alternative to a passport for all land and sea travel between the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Enhanced Driver's Licenses are only valid for land and marine crossings, however, so you will not be able to fly to Canada with it as your only form of identification. An Enhanced Driver's License or EDL can enable a US citizen to visit Canada for both leisure and business purposes.
According to the Canada Border Services Agency, everyone must have a passport or equivalent documentation such as a NEXUS card or an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) to enter Canada by land, sea, or air.
Entry into Canada: Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. Children under 16 only need proof of U.S. citizenship.
While a U.S. citizen's government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, and proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, are sufficient to cross into Canada, you'll need additional documents to re-enter the United States, according to Liz Jones of Leaf Group.
Enhanced licenses are federally accepted documents that allow you to enter the U.S. at a land or sea border crossing when returning from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean.
Driver's license: The driver of the car must have a valid license. Vehicle registration: Border officials are always on the lookout for stolen vehicles, or people trying to avoid duties on vehicles purchased out of country. Proof of insurance: It's recommended that you bring your vehicle's insurance paperwork.
While Canadian law allows all American citizens entering Canada to show government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver's License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or expired U.S. passport to enter, the United States does not accept these documents.
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The following forms of identification are accepted for U.S. citizens:
- U.S. Passport.
- U.S. Passport card (for land and marine travel only)
- NEXUS card.
- Enhanced Driver's License (for land and marine travel only)
U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport book or card, in addition to an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM) issued by Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM). Travelers should be sure to enter Mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone.
Can a US citizen enter the US without a passport?
A passport is not required. Citizens of Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda must present a valid passport from their country to travel to the U.S. by air. When traveling by land or sea, they must provide the necessary travel documents outlined by the Department of Homeland Security.
As of April 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents of the United States must show these documents for all methods of travel to Canada: a valid passport from their country of nationality (or an equivalent acceptable travel document) and. a valid green card (or equivalent valid proof of status in the United States)
Since June 1, 2009, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) has required that Americans traveling to Canada by land or by sea carry one of the following documents as proof of citizenship: A US passport book. A US passport card.
Entering Canada: U.S. citizens are not required to present a passport when entering Canada. They must show a government-issued photo ID such as a valid Driver's License and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or expired U.S. passport.