canada travel document application

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Travel documents

Know which documents you need and where to get them to make your travel quick and easy.

Identification documents

Canadian passports.

A passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel identification document and it proves that you have a right to return to Canada 

Canadian Travel Number

Avoid delays at the airport because your name is the same as, or similar to, that of someone on the No Fly List ( Secure Air Travel Act list)

NEXUS                                                  

If you travel between Canada and the United States often, a NEXUS card will save you time at the border

Permanent resident card

Permanent residents of Canada need a permanent resident card to re-enter Canada

Pre-boarding identification requirements

Information on the identification documents you need to bring to the airport

Travel documents for entering Canada

Acceptable documents, establishing your personal identity, your citizenship

Travel documents for non-Canadians

Permits and certificates.

Find out whether you need a visa for your destination and get it well in advance of your trip

Certificate of Canadian citizenship

A Canadian citizenship certificate is not a valid travel document

CITES permits

Information on permits to transport, import or export a listed wildlife species or items made from listed wildlife species

International Driving Permit

Your Canadian driver's licence may not be valid in your destination country

Travelling outside Canada with your vehicle

You may need a Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) to travel outside Canada with your vehicle.

International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis

Some countries may require you to show proof of vaccination  

Your pets need travel documents to enter another country

CANPASS - Private aircraft

CANPASS cards allow private aircraft to clear customs and immigration quickly and securely

More information

Consent letter for children travelling abroad.

A consent letter helps children travelling without both parents to enter foreign countries and re-enter Canada

Marriage outside Canada

Information on the legal issues involved in getting married abroad 

Notarial services

Information about getting notarial services while you are outside Canada

Travelling as a dual citizen

Information for Canadian dual citizens who are travelling to another country where they have citizenship

Travel insurance

Buy travel insurance before you travel outside Canada. Bring your insurance information with you. You may need to prove you have travel insurance to enter some countries

Mobile Passport Control app

Travellers can shorten the entry process to the U.S. by submitting their passport and customs declaration information through this app

Find helpful information on health and safety, travel documents, baggage, airport security, country advice and more.

Use our recommended consent letter for Canadian children traveling abroad.

You need a valid Canadian passport to board a flight to Canada.

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Application for a Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa - TRV)

You need to give your biometrics.

In most cases, you now need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply.

Find out who needs to give biometrics and how the new application process works.

Biometrics and the application process

We refer to your fingerprints and photo as biometrics. We collect biometrics for most applications. Find out what happens from when you submit your application to when you get to Canada and where biometrics fits in the process.

1. Apply for your visitor visa, study permit or work permit

If you want to visit, study or work in Canada, make sure you’re eligible to apply. Use our application guides to help fill out your application properly, then submit your application.

Avoid processing delays by sending us a complete application .

2. Get your fingerprints and photo taken

If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you probably need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics).You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years to make repeat trips to Canada easier.

• You must pay the  biometrics fee   when you submit your application.  Otherwise you may experience delays.
• Get this done  as soon as you get the letter  from us that tells you to give biometrics.
• You have  30 days  to do this from the date on the letter.

Find out who needs to give , how to give , and  where to give your biometrics .

COVID-19: Biometrics deadline

Some biometrics collection sites are closed. If the site closest to you is closed, we’ll extend your deadline to give your biometrics. Find out how COVID-19 is affecting biometrics .

3. We process your application

After we get your biometrics, we start processing your application. See how long it takes to process your application.

If we need more information from you, we’ll contact you.

4. We make a decision on your application

When we finish reviewing your application, we let you know if you’re approved to come to Canada. If you are, we issue your documents.

If your application is refused, we send you a letter that tells you why.

5. You travel to Canada (if you’re approved)

Make sure you travel with the documents we gave you. This includes travel documents like a visitor visa, study or work permits or an eTA (electronically linked to your passport).

Airline staff and border service officers at ports of entry will ask to see your travel documents. If you don’t have them, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada.

Make sure children under 18 travel with the right documents .

6. We check your identity when you arrive in Canada

When you arrive, we check your identity to make sure that you are the same person who was approved to travel to Canada. We may use your biometrics to do this.

If we can’t verify your identity, you may be detained by a border services officer. These officers help protect the health and safety of Canadians.

If the officer determines that you’re not admissible to Canada, you won’t be allowed to enter Canada. If you came by air, you’ll have to take a return flight to where you came from.

7. You’re allowed to enter Canada

If you pass the identity check and meet the entry requirements , the border services officer stamps your passport and lets you know how long you can stay in Canada. You’re normally allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months.

Children under 18 must meet the same entry requirements as adults. The border services officer may ask minor children to show other documents depending on whether the child is travelling alone or with someone.

Basic entry requirements

You must meet some basic requirements to enter Canada. You must:

• have a valid travel document, like a passport
• be in good health
• have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
• convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country
• convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
• The amount of money you will need depends on how long you will stay and if you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.

Some people are not admissible to Canada, which means they are not allowed to enter the country. You can be inadmissible for several reasons, including being involved in:

• criminal activity
• human rights violations
• organized crime

You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons.

Find out more about inadmissibility .

Biometrics fee

• Individual  applicant: CAD $85
• Families applying at the same time : maximum total fee of CAD $170
• Groups of 3 or more performing artists and their staff  who apply for work permits at the same time: maximum total fee of $CAD 255

You can apply online or on paper (in specific situations) for:

• visitor visas (also known as temporary resident visas)
• super visas (for parents and grandparents)
• transit visas

Apply online

Before you apply, make sure you need a visa to enter Canada. Find out what document you need to enter Canada .

You must have both of these to apply online:

• access to a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents to upload
• a valid credit card to pay with

How you apply depends on what you apply for. Select the document you want to apply for to get instructions:

Visitor visa : Option 1 of 3

Apply for a visitor visa

Super visa (for parents and grandparents) : Option 2 of 3

Apply for a super visa

Transit visa : Option 3 of 3

Apply for a transit visa

Apply on paper (in specific situations)

Before you apply , make sure you need a visa to enter Canada. Find out what document you need to enter Canada .

Read the instruction guide to get all the details to apply on paper.

• Instruction Guide 5256

Once you have read the guide, you can prepare your application package. You must select the country or territory from which you will apply to get your local visa office instructions.

Permanent residents of Canada

We do not issue temporary resident visas (TRV) to permanent residents (PR). If you are outside Canada without a valid PR card, you must apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD) instead. If you meet the requirements for a PRTD, you can return to Canada as a PR.

If you no longer want to be a PR, or if you know you do not meet the requirements to keep your PR status, you can voluntarily give up (renounce) your PR status to apply for a TRV.

Application for Temporary Resident Visa

You can’t fill out and save the application form using your Internet browser. To use the form, you need to:

• Use your computer (Mac or PC). The form won’t open on mobile devices (iPads, tablets, mobile phones, etc.)
• Install Adobe Reader 10 (or higher)
• Download the PDF file to your computer . Save the file in a place you can remember.
• Make sure you use Adobe Reader to open the form. Sometimes if you try to open the form directly, it will use your Internet browser to try to open it.

Note: If you are applying online , you don’t need to print and sign the form. Leave the signature section empty.

Get the form

• Application for Temporary Resident Visa [IMM 5257] (PDF, 556.66 KB) June 2019

Having issues with the form?

• I can’t open my visa application form in PDF format. What can I do?
• After clicking the “validate” button on my visa application form, nothing happens and I don’t see the barcodes. Why is this happening?

How-to video

Find out if you are eligible

Living in Canada tool

Application Forms, Guides and Instructions

Citizenship

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Travel and identification documents for entering Canada

From: Canada Border Services Agency

October 1, 2022 : COVID-19 emergency border measures ended

Refer to COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders for details.

Make sure you carry proper identification for yourself and any children or minors travelling with you.

Residents or visitors flying into Canada

Your airline carrier will ask you for travel and identification documents before allowing you to board the aircraft. Being allowed to board does not mean you have the right or will be authorized to enter Canada. A border services officer will determine whether you can enter Canada when you arrive, by confirming your identity and citizenship.

More information

• Pre-boarding identification requirements
• Find out if you can enter Canada

Residents returning to Canada

Planning travel to Canada? Visit COVID-19 : Entering Canada requirements checklist for information about quarantine and your admissibility to Canada.

Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered under the Indian Act enter Canada by right. However, returning residents must still demonstrate to a border services officer that they meet the requirements for entering Canada. The officer will confirm your identity and your right to enter Canada through questioning and/or by verifying your documents.

Acceptable documents to denote identity and citizenship

If you have a Canadian passport

Carry a valid Canadian passport for all visits abroad, including visits to the US. It is the only universally accepted identification document and it proves that you have a right to return to Canada.

If you don’t have a Canadian passport

Oher acceptable documents that support identity and/or citizenship include, but are not limited to:

• Canadian emergency travel document
• Canadian temporary passport
• CANPASS authorization, held by a Canadian citizen
• Commercial driver registration program card, held by a Canadian citizen
• FAST card (Free and Secure Trade), held by a Canadian citizen
• NEXUS card, held by a Canadian citizen
• Canadian permanent residence card
• Canadian citizenship card
• Certificate of Canadian citizenship (issued from 1954 to present)
• Certificate of Canadian citizenship (large form issued between January 1, 1947 , to February 14, 1977 )
• Certificate of retention (issued between January 1, 1947 , and February 14, 1977 )
• Certificate of naturalization (issued before January 1, 1947 )
• Registration of birth abroad certificate (issued between January 1, 1947 , and February 14, 1977 , by Canadian citizenship authorities)
• Birth certificate (individuals born in Canada)
• Driver's license
• Enhanced driver's license
• Enhanced identification/photo card
• Health insurance card
• Identity card
• Vehicle registration
• Canadian Forces identification
• Employment or student card with photo and signature
• Police identification
• Firearms acquisition certificate
• Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) card or Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) card
• Vehicle insurance certificate

Permanent residents of Canada who are members of the NEXUS or FAST programs must travel with a passport and proof of permanent residence , and may be asked to present these documents to the officer upon arrival at the border.

Every person registered under the Indian Act can enter and remain in Canada by right as per subsection A19(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act . The Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS), more commonly referred to as the Status card, is an identity document issued by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada confirming that the cardholder is registered as a Status Indian under the Indian Act .

Note: The Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) was replaced by the SCIS in 2019. Although both CIS and SCIS cards can be presented at the border to confirm status and right of entry (including expired CIS cards), we highly recommend travellers obtain a new SCIS .

If you plan to travel to or transit through the US , we encourage you to visit the US Customs and Border Protection website for information concerning the US Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, and the requirements to enter or return to the US .

For information on Canada- US border-crossing issues, visit Crossing the Canada- US border with a status card .

• Canadian permanent residents
• Dual citizens

Indigenous travelers from the US

Indigenous Peoples from the US with family in Canada may now qualify for temporary border mobility measures . To find out if you are eligible to apply, visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: Temporary measures to reunite families of Indigenous Peoples separated by Canada’s border .

Indigenous travellers from the U.S. who have been approved for these temporary measures and have their port of entry letter of introduction, need to bring the following documents when they arrive at the border:

• your passport or any official document used to travel (this is a requirement for everyone travelling)
• your port of entry letter (this is a requirement for anyone who applied for a work or study permit)
• the document you used to prove that you are a member of a federally recognized tribe in the United States, or a citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation
• the proof you used to establish your relationship to the anchor member of your family in Canada
• a signed letter of authorization for unaccompanied minors (optional, but recommended)
• a signed Custodian Declaration Form (IMM 5646) for minors studying alone (optional, but recommended)

Persons registered under the Indian Act have the right to enter and remain in Canada, and have the option of using their Status Card when crossing the border.

International visitors to Canada

Check Travel health measures

All international travellers must carry acceptable identification when entering Canada. A passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document when abroad.

Before making travel plans, learn about entry requirements by country .

What you need will depend on:

• where you are from
• how you are travelling
• what documents you are travelling with

In addition to your passport, you may need a travel authorization such as a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada.

Consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website to learn which authorization you need:

• Find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada
• Find out if you are eligible for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Be prepared: Apply for an eTA before you book your flight to Canada. Most applicants get approved within minutes. However, some applications can take several days to process so don’t wait until the last minute.

Fake websites

Travellers who apply for an eTA are advised to be cautious in all dealings with companies that claim to offer help in getting an eTA . These companies are not operating on behalf of the Government of Canada. Many have established websites that charge a fee to provide information and submit eTA applications.

This Government of Canada website is the official place to apply for an Electronic Travel Application .

US citizens or permanent residents

If you are a US citizen or permanent resident, you must carry proof of citizenship such as a:

• birth certificate
• certificate of citizenship or naturalization
• certificate of Indian Status along with photo identification
• US Permanent Resident Card

If you are a US permanent resident, ensure you carry proof of your status such as a US Permanent Resident Card.

Travel with children and minors

When travelling with a minor, you should:

• carry copies of any legal custody documents, such as custody rights, if applicable
• arrive at the border in the same vehicle as the minor
• you share custody of the minor and the other parent or legal guardian is not travelling with you
• you are not the parent or legal guardian of the minor

A consent letter must include the custodial parents' or legal guardians':

• telephone number

Border services officers are always watching for missing children and may ask questions about minors travelling with you.

To avoid delays, have your consent letter notarized to support its authenticity. For more information on consent letters and to download an interactive form, visit Recommended consent letter for children travelling abroad .

• Children and travel
• Our Missing Children program

Related links

• Travelling with animals
• Lost, stolen, seized, inaccessible or damaged passports
• Programs for trusted travellers

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About the process

Refugee travel document and certificate of identity services are now available

If you have already applied and now need a travel document urgently, contact us .

Tell us if your travel document application is now urgent

Fill out our web form .

Tell us it’s about a Certificate of Identity/Refugee Travel Document .

Include your travel date and the reason you need the travel document.

Service standards

See  how long it may take us to process your application  under normal circumstances.

There are 2 types of travel documents non-Canadians can use when travelling:

• refugee travel document
• certificate of identity

The application form is the same for both types of travel documents.

They’re issued to

• Convention refugees
• protected persons
• stateless persons
• permanent residents of Canada in special circumstances

The issuing office decides how long your travel document is valid for.

You cannot use these travel documents to go to your country of citizenship.

You should contact the embassy of the country you plan to visit (opens in a new tab) to check if your travel document will be accepted.

• Next: Who can apply

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• Free Phone Consultation +1 (514) 989-9700

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• Canada Permanent Resident (PR)

Any person wishing to enter Canada’s borders must possess a valid travel document. Canadian permanent residents are able to use their permanent resident card (PR card) in order to enter the country. However, if a permanent resident does not have a valid PR card and needs to enter Canada, they may be eligible to apply for a permanent resident travel document (PRTD).

Generally, PRTDs are valid for a single entry to Canada, allowing a permanent resident to enter the country before obtaining a new PR card. A permanent resident may only apply for a PR card from inside of Canada, so the PRTD is often necessary to facilitate entry to Canada. A person may apply for a permanent resident travel document if they meet the following criteria:

• They are a permanent resident of Canada;
• They do not have a valid PR card showing PR status;
• They are outside Canada, and;
• They will return to Canada by airplane, boat, train, or bus.

If a person meets the criteria for a PRTD, they can submit an application. Please note that upon submission of the application, a visa officer will review it to ensure it is complete and that the applicant has met their residency obligations. If the applicant has failed to meet their residency obligations, then their status as a permanent resident may fall into jeopardy. Please note that immigrants from countries requiring a visa to enter Canada who have received their confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) should be issued a travel visa with their COPR. This travel visa allows them to travel to a Canadian Port of Entry (POE) to enter Canada where they can begin the process of obtaining their PR card. It is not necessary for a newly confirmed permanent resident to obtain a PRTD, as the above-mentioned travel visa will be issued to those immigrants who require it.

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