Passports and Visas
International visitors to Canada (not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents) must carry a valid passport and visa, if required. Citizens from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Mexico, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and others do not require a visa to enter Canada. Visit
Citizenship and Immigration Canada online for a complete listing.
Border Crossing: U.S. citizens and permanent residents, passport not needed
American citizens and permanent residents do not require a passport or visa to enter Canada. All you need are travel documents proving identity and proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Acceptable documents include photo identification, such as a valid driver's license, plus a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or green card. If you are travelling with children under 18 years of age, you should carry identification for each child such as a birth certificate or green card. Children travelling without their parents, with one parent, or with guardians, should carry written permission.
New rules for Americans returning home
Since January 23, 2007, the U.S. government requiring that each U.S. citizen and permanent resident leaving the country or returning to the United States by air or sea must carry a valid U.S. passport or other secure travel document such as a NEXUS Air card when used at a NEXUS Air kiosk. Effective June 1, 2009, each U.S. citizen or permanent resident leaving the country or re-entering the United States through any land, air or sea border will be required to carry a valid U.S. passport.
For detailed information about obtaining or renewing your U.S. passport, visit the U.S. Department of State, Passport Services Office, or access U.S. passport application services from the United States Postal Service.
For detailed information on entry requirements, including medical exams, working or studying in Canada, and what you are permitted to bring into Canada, visit the
Canada International web site.
Currency
The currency system in Canada uses dollars and cents similar to the U.S., Australia and New Zealand.
It's always best to convert some of your money before leaving home. While in Canada, you will generally enjoy better rates when you change money at a recognized financial institution, bank, trust company or currency exchange than at a store, hotel or restaurant.
Canada now has one- and two-dollar coins, affectionately called the "loonie" and the "toonie", in addition to 1-cent, 5-cent, 10-cent and 25-cent coins. Paper money comes in different colors and designs. The most common are $5 bills (blue), $10 bills (purple), $20 bills (green), $50 bills (red), and $100 bills (brown). You may still see some old red $2 bills, which remain valid currency.
For additional information regarding currency exchange rates, see below for a link to the Bank of Canada's
Currency Converter.
Sales Taxes
The TPS/GST (goods and services tax) is a 5% federal tax applicable to most of the goods and services sold in Canada. The TVQ/QST (Québec sales tax), 7.5%, is applicable to most products except basic foodstuffs. For more information, visit these sites:
Gouvernement du Canada and
Gouvernement du Québec.
Credit Cards & Bank Machines
Major cards such as American Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in Canada. Keep in mind your financial institution at home will automatically make the currency exchange before you receive your monthly statement.
Most international bankcard systems, including Interac, Plus, and Maestro, will work at just about any automatic banking machine in Canada, conveniently located at banks and other locations throughout most cities and at airports.
Tipping
Tips or service charges are not usually added to restaurant bills in Canada. Wages in many restaurants are based on the assumption that staff will receive a significant proportion of their income in tips. If you are satisfied with the service received, a tip of 15% is customary.
Following the introduction of the federal goods and services tax (GST), many Canadians have begun to tip on the pre-tax amount of their bill. Some restaurants will place a mandatory service charge on a bill for larger groups. Your server should explain this to you before you order.
Barbers, hairdressers and taxi drivers are also usually tipped at 15%.
Bellhops, doormen, redcaps (porters) and similar staff at hotels, airports and railway stations are generally tipped $1 per item of luggage carried.
Units of Measure
Keep in mind that distances are measured in kilometres and speed limits are posted in metric as well. The metric system is also used for most grocery products. Temperatures are measured in Celsius; a very simple comparison to remember is that 20 degreees Celsius is about 70 Farenheit, and that average daytime summer temperatures in PEI are 23 degrees Celsius.
Time Zone
The Iles de la Madeleine are in the Atlantic Time Zone, one hour ahead of Eastern Time Zone.
Duty-Free Limits for Returning Residents of the United States of America
U.S. residents returning to the United States after 48 hours can take back $800 US worth of merchandise, duty free, every 30 days. This may include one litre (33.8 fl oz.) of alcohol (provided the resident is 21 years or over), 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars that are not of Cuban origin. Members of a family travelling together may combine their personal exemptions. After a visit of less than 48 hours, or if the $400 allowance or part of it has been used within the previous 30 days, an exemption of $200 US is allowed (may not be combined by family members), including 150 mL (4 fl. oz.) of alcohol, 150 mL of perfume and no more than 50 cigarettes or 10 cigars, not of Cuban origin. Articles brought back into the U.S. as part of an exemption must be for personal or household use. They must be brought with the person and properly declared. They must not include prohibited or restricted items. Duty charged varies according to the country the article was made in and the type of article. More information about entering or re-entering the U.S. is available through 1. U.S. Customs.
For more information, visit the
Canadian Tourism Commission website.
