By land If you are arriving by land, follow the signs to the first checkpoint—referred to as Primary Inspection—where a border services officer will examine your identification and other travel documents and take your verbal declaration. Visit U.S. to Canada Border Wait Times to access the estimated wait times for crossing the Canada-United States land border at certain locations.
By private boat If you are arriving by private boat, proceed directly to a designated marine telephone reporting site and call the CBSA Telephone Reporting Centre (TRC) at 1-888-226-7277 to obtain CBSA clearance. Certain private boaters may now present themselves to the CBSA by calling the TRC from their cellular telephones from the location at which they enter Canadian waters.
Required identification Make sure you carry proper identification for yourself and any children travelling with you to help confirm your legal right to enter Canada. Canada has introduced a new entry requirement, known as an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), for certain international travellers who fly to Canada. Read about the changes and how they may affect you.
The Government of Canada recommends that Canadian citizens travel with a valid Canadian passport because it is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel.
International transportation companies such as airlines may require travellers to present a passport before boarding. Canadian citizens may face delays or may not be allowed to board the plane or other conveyance if they present other documents such as a:
Enhanced Driver's License (EDL)/Enhanced Identification Card (EIC) NEXUS card (used where the program is available) Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card used in FAST lanes Canadian citizenship card Certificate of Indian Status Birth certificate in combination with either a driver's licence or a government-issued photo identification Permanent residents Permanent residents (immigrants living in Canada who are not yet Canadian citizens) need a valid permanent resident card to return to Canada. Check the expiry date on your card.
Note that a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. See Canadian Citizenship for further details.