Tips To Speed Your Border Crossing Into Canada

As Canada celebrates its 150th birthday this year with events across the country, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) offered travelers the following tips to help manage the higher-than-normal volume at border crossings.

For all visitors
Plan your border crossing. Check border wait times using the CanBorder App and plan your entry during non-peak hours such as early morning. Mondays of holiday long weekends tend to be busiest.

For returning residents

• Know your purchases and keep travel documents handy. Know your personal exemptions and restrictions and make sure each passenger has correct travel documents. Have travel documents and receipts in hand when you arrive at the border. It is recommended you travel with a passport as it is the only universally recognized travel document.
• Declare all purchases, acquisitions and/or gifts received when returning to Canada. Refer to I Declare on the CBSA website for more information. If you are bringing gifts, it is recommended they not be wrapped in case they need to be examined in-depth.
• Know the contents of your vehicle. Travelers can consult the CBSA’s website for information on firearms and other restricted and prohibited goods.

For visitors to Canada:

• Become a NEXUS member. NEXUS is designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, pre-approved travellers into Canada and the United States. NEXUS members receive expedited border clearance, and a NEXUS membership is valid for five years. Additionally, you may take advantage of NEXUS expedited benefits when going through Canadian Air Transport Security Authority at key airports across Canada.
• Check if you need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). eTA is a new entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals, other than U.S. citizens, travelling to Canada by air. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, cannot apply for an eTA and need to travel with a valid Canadian passport. Canadian permanent residents (PRs) are also not eligible for an eTA and, as always, need to travel with a PR card or a PR travel document. Lawful permanent residents of the U.S. need an eTA to board a flight to Canada.