Learn If You Need a Passport To Visit Canada

Want to visit Canada? Since you're reading this, chances are that you do. Also, you'd likely want to know whether you need an american passport (http://www.uspassportnow.com/faq/general_when_required) to visit Canada. If you don't have a passport yet, but are planning to visit Canada soon, you will appreciate this article. We'll walk through your travel requirements when visiting Canada.

Canada is a part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Because of that, you can enter Canada by presenting any of the following travel documents: your US passport card, your US passport book, or your NEXUS card. With the exception of the NEXUS card, you may use any of the passport types to travel to other WHTI destinations.

If you are planning to travel to Canada by land, then you have the option of simply using the US passport card. When you have this type of passport, all you need to do is present it at the border to be allowed entry to Canada. You may also opt to use this if you're after convenience as the passport card fits into your wallet, while your passport book is a bit bulkier. Then there's the price difference between the passport card and the passport book, with the application for a card cheaper by around 50%. Take note, though, that you can only use the passport card for travel by land or sea.

Meanwhile, you will need a passport book if you're going to travel to WHTI and non-WHTI areas by air. If you're not familiar with the passport (http://www.uspassportnow.com/), it's the booklet that's regularly used by Americans to travel even before the passport card was issued in 2008. So when traveling by air, make sure to use your passport book.

However, if you want to combine the benefits of both the passport card and the passport book, then you can always apply for both types of passports. So for example, you just want to visit WHTI areas, you'll just need to bring the passport card in your wallet. However, if you're traveling to international destinations that are not part of the WHTI, you will then need to have your passport book ready. Applying for these passports at the same time is recommended, as there is a corresponding discount when you do.

For travels that will take you to WHTI areas and beyond, you can then bring your passport book. But aside from just flexibility, the great thing about applying for both cards is that you get a discount when you apply for both the card and the book at the same time. All in all, the choice is yours, depending on the type of travel you're going to make.

Do you travel to Canada regularly? Then you might want to apply for a NEXUS card as well. This card is designed for those who travel to Canada often and want a hassle-free travel across the border. Having a NEXUS card allows you to use the lane made exclusively for NEXUS cardholders, ensuring there are no delays when you need to go to Canada by land as soon as possible.

By reading this article, we hope we have covered everything you need to know if you need a pasport (http://www.uspassportnow.com/faq/general_when_required) to visit Canada. The great thing about visiting Canada is that you have several types of documents you can use depending on the type of travel you're going to make. Traveling by land? You can use either your passport card or the NEXUS card. Meanwhile if you're traveling by air, you need to use your U.S. passport (http://www.uspassportnow.com/) book. Keep these tips in mind before you travel to Canada.