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Canadian passport · United States

Do Canadians need a visa for the US?

By the Visa Almanac editorial teamChange logUpdated 1 Nov 2026

In brief

No. Canadian passport holders can visit the US visa-free.

US visa fee for Canadians: none for visa-free entry.

Canadian visitors can usually stay in the US for 6 months without a visa and must declare how long they intend to stay when they enter. Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada · checked

Canadian citizens. A visa is generally not required for Canadian citizens, except those Canadians that fall under nonimmigrant visa categories E, K, S, or VCode of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS)

Checked 1 Nov 2026Source: Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS)Report a change

Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

ContentsIn brief
  1. In brief
  2. At a glance
  3. Do Canadians need a visa?
  4. How to apply
  5. Fee
  6. Processing time
  7. Documents
  8. What changed
  9. FAQ
  10. Sources

At a glance

AccessVisa-free
StayCanadian visitors can usually stay in the US for 6 months without a visa and must declare how long they intend to stay when they enter.3To stay longer than 6 months, apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services for an extension while in the US and before your authorized stay ends.3
Validity and entriesNot stated by the official source
Official feeNone for visa-free entry
Official processingNothing to apply for
Where to applyNothing to apply for to visit visa-free

Do Canadians need a visa for the US?

The Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS) lists Canada among the countries whose nationals can visit without a visa.

“Canadian citizens. A visa is generally not required for Canadian citizens, except those Canadians that fall under nonimmigrant visa categories E, K, S, or V”

Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS) · checked

Conditions and exceptions

  • Canadian visitors can usually stay in the US for 6 months without a visa and must declare how long they intend to stay when they enter.

    Canadian visitors can usually stay in the United States for 6 months without a visa. You must declare your intended duration of stay upon entry into the United States.Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada · checked

  • To stay longer than 6 months, apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services for an extension while in the US and before your authorized stay ends.

    If you wish to stay longer than 6 months, you must apply for an extension at the nearest U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office once you are in the United States and before the expiry of your initial authorized stay.Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada · checked

  • Visitors aged 14 or over who stay in the US for 30 days or longer must register with the US government; this includes Canadians who entered by land without being issued an I-94.

    all aliens 14 years of age or older who were not registered and fingerprinted (if required) when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer, must apply for registration and fingerprinting. ... Canadian visitors who entered the United States at land ports of entry and were not issued evidence of registration, such as a Form I-94, I-94W, or I-94A (paper or electronic), and have not otherwise registeredU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked

  • Canadians generally need no US visa; the exceptions are the E, K, S and V nonimmigrant visa categories.

    Canadian citizens. A visa is generally not required for Canadian citizens, except those Canadians that fall under nonimmigrant visa categories E, K, S, or VCode of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 · checked

How to apply

To visit visa-free there is nothing to apply for: check the documents and entry checks below. For a longer stay or another purpose:

  1. In most cases Canadian citizens need no visitor, business or transit visa; the US Embassy and Consulates in Canada handle the exceptions.

    U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada · checked

Fee

Visa-free entry costs nothing.

Processing time

Nothing to apply for to visit visa-free. For visas, the official sources we read state no processing time.

Documents and entry checks

What changed

  1. Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.

FAQ

Is the US visa-free for Canadians now?

Yes. Checked on 31 Oct 2026 against the Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS).

How much does a US visa cost for Canadians?

Visa-free entry costs nothing.

Can I get a US visa in 7 days?

There is nothing to apply for to visit visa-free. The official sources we read state no processing time.

Sources

Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.

  1. Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (DHS): entry ruleecfr.gov · checked
  2. Code of Federal Regulations, 8 CFR 212.1 (eCFR, Office of the Federal Register): documents and entry conditionsecfr.gov · checked
  3. Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada (travel.gc.ca travel advice): entry conditions and documentstravel.gc.ca · checked
  4. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): entry conditionsuscis.gov · checked
  5. U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada: how to applyca.usembassy.gov · checked
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Visa Almanac is an independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

Rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source linked on each page before you travel.