International Travel FAQ

All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Canada. A tourist visa is not required for stays under 180 days. 

Learn more from the U.S. State Department.

Passports can take up to 8 weeks for standard processing and up to 3 weeks for expedited processing, excluding mail time.

We strongly recommend checking your passport status as soon as possible to allow enough time for renewal or application if needed. We recommend starting the application process as soon as possible:

• Apply for a Passport
• Renew a Passport

Beginning May 7, 2025, you will no longer be able to use a non-REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID to board a domestic flight.

If you do not upgrade your license or state ID, you can use a passport or one of these other acceptable forms of identification to fly.

Learn more about REAL ID.

When returning to the United States from Canada, travelers must go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the point of entry. Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) offers direct U.S. preclearance for many flights.

U.S. Preclearance

U.S. Preclearance at YUL means you complete all customs and immigration inspections before boarding your flight to the United States, so you arrive as a domestic passenger.

Mobile Passport Control 

The Mobile Passport Control app is a free, official app authorized by CBP that helps expedite your entry back into the United States.

What It Does:

• It allows U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors to submit their passport and customs declaration info before arrival.
• It speeds up processing at participating airports and some seaports.
• It lets you skip the traditional paper customs declaration form.

How to Use MPC:

• Download the official Mobile Passport Control app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
• Fill in your passport information and answer the customs declaration questions.
• Receive an electronic receipt (QR code) to present to CBP officers at designated lanes.
• This is accepted at many major U.S. airports but not all. Please check if your arrival airport supports it.

Additional Tips for Returning Travelers

• Have your documents ready: These documents include passport, boarding passes and any required visas.
• Declare all items: Be truthful about goods, gifts and currency.
• Know your duty-free allowances: Typically, the allowance is $800 per person for U.S. residents returning from Canada.
• COVID-19: Check the latest U.S. entry requirements, including testing or vaccination rules. (These can change.)

U.S. Green Card holders (lawful permanent resident) do not need to apply for an eTA. U.S. Green Card holders were exempted from the eTA requirement as of April 26, 2022.

However, you do need to carry:

• A valid passport from your country of citizenship or an acceptable travel document.
• Your Green Card (or other valid proof of U.S. permanent resident status).

For more information, visit the Canadian government webpage about eTAs.

International travelers may need a visa and an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

In addition to a valid passport, some international attendees outside the U.S. may require a visa.

The Canadian government recommends checking visa processing times in advance, as processing durations vary by application.

If you’ve already applied, you can check your application status for updates.

To avoid delays, attendees are strongly encouraged to apply at least 12 weeks before departure to ensure their visa is processed in time for the event.

• Visitor Visas (Who Can Apply)
• Visa Application

 After you apply for a visa:

• Book your biometrics collection appointment as soon as you can to avoid processing delays.
• If you have provided biometrics before they may still be valid, so be sure to check your biometrics’ status.
• Read more about the visitor visa application, including checking your application status and steps to take if your application is approved or denied.

All travelers entering Canada from outside the United States and Mexico need an eTA.

• Find out about eTAs and how to apply
• What to do after you apply
• Checking your eTA status 

If you hold a passport or are traveling from a country for which Canada requires a visa, you may request a visa letter from ADEA once your registration is paid in full.

Non–U.S.–based registrants are advised to attach a copy of their event registration confirmation email to their visa application. Please be reminded that any attachment of supplemental documents to your visa application does not guarantee that your application will be approved.

We strongly encourage you to adhere to the visa application requirements as outlined on the Canadian government’s travel website.