CanadaUnited States: Visa required

CanadaUnited States

Do Canada passport holders need a visa for United States?

Visa required

Yes. Canada passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to United States.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: dhs.gov (checked September 4, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-14

Distance735 km, straight line (~1h 22m nonstop)

Visa-free access to United States84 of 237 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? United States passport holders visiting Canada: Visa-free.

Visa-free alternatives near United States

Canada passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for Canada passport holders

See all Canada destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Canada passport holders need a visa for United States?

Yes. Canada passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to United States.

How far is United States from Canada?

About 735 km in a straight line, roughly ~1h 22m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in United States?

United States dollar (USD).

What is the emergency number in United States?

911.

What time zone is United States in?

New York (UTC-4).

What is the nearest airport to Washington D.C.?

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), about 4 km away.

How many countries can enter United States without a visa?

84 of the 237 nationalities this site tracks can enter United States visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can Canada passport holders visit without a visa instead of United States?

Bermuda, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Cayman Islands, Haiti, Jamaica.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Canada

Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the second-largest country by total area, with the longest coastline of any country. Its border with the United States is the longest international land border. The country is characterized by a wide range of both meteorologic and geological regions. With a population of over 41 million, it has widely varying population densities, with the majority residing in its urban areas and large areas being sparsely populated. Its capital is Ottawa and its three largest metropolitan areas are Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

CapitalOttawa

RegionNorth America

Population41.7M

Area9,984,670 km²

CurrencyCanadian dollar (1 USD ≈ 1.42 CAD)

LanguagesEnglish, French

Calling code+1

Drives on theright

TimezoneToronto (UTC-4)

Nearest airportOttawa / Rockcliffe Airport (YRO), 6 km

Emergency number911

UNESCO sites23

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$55,698 (2025)

Tourist arrivals32.4M (2019)

Climate in Ottawa

Warmest July, coolest February, driest June, sunniest July. Best time to visit: June, July.

Monthly climate normals for Ottawa, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	-2.2°C	-11.1°C	109mm	141h
February	-1.6°C	-11.7°C	73mm	187h
March	5°C	-5.5°C	105mm	216h
April	9.5°C	-0.6°C	91mm	238h
May	18.3°C	6.1°C	53mm	355h
June	24.8°C	13.4°C	50mm	367h
July	28.9°C	18.6°C	67mm	390h
August	24°C	16.1°C	133mm	323h
September	19.6°C	11.3°C	73mm	272h
October	12.7°C	4.9°C	115mm	201h
November	8.2°C	0.8°C	81mm	164h
December	0.9°C	-5.3°C	84mm	94h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Canada is the world's second largest country by area, behind only Russia. Nicknamed the Great White North, Canada is renowned for its vast landscapes of outstanding natural beauty and its multicultural heritage. While there are cosmopolitan cities, much of Canada consists of forests, it has more lakes than any other country and it features the Rocky Mountains, the Prairies, three oceanic coasts and a sparsely populated archipelago extending into the Arctic.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Anticosti
Burgess Shale
Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Grand-Pré
Gros Morne National Park
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Joggins Fossil Cliffs
Kluane / Wrangell – St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek
L'Anse aux Meadows

Upcoming public holidays

September 30, 2026National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

October 12, 2026Thanksgiving

November 11, 2026Armistice Day

Full source list on About.

About United States

The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic consisting of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 contiguous states border Canada to the north and Mexico to the south, with the semi-exclave of Alaska in the northwest and the archipelago of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The United States also asserts sovereignty over five major island territories and various uninhabited islands in Oceania and the Caribbean. It is a megadiverse country, with the world's fourth-largest total area and third-largest population, exceeding 341 million.

CapitalWashington D.C.

RegionNorth America

Population341.8M

Area9,372,610 km²

CurrencyUnited States dollar (1 USD ≈ 1.00 USD)

LanguagesEnglish

Calling code+1

Drives on theright

TimezoneNew York (UTC-4)

Nearest airportRonald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), 4 km

Emergency number911

UNESCO sites29

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$90,027 (2025)

Tourist arrivals45M (2020)

Travel guide

The United States of America spans a continent and numerous islands: its diverse geography comprises vast uninhabited areas of natural beauty punctuated by cities ringed by sprawling suburbs. Its wide array of tourist destinations includes the skyscrapers of Manhattan and Chicago, the natural wonders of Yellowstone and Alaska, the canyonlands of the Southwest, the towering volcanoes and rugged coastlines of the Pacific Northwest, and the warm, sunny beaches of Florida, Hawaii, and Southern California.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Cahokia
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Chaco Culture World Heritage Site
El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
Everglades National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks
Independence Hall

Upcoming public holidays

October 12, 2026Columbus Day

October 12, 2026Indigenous Peoples' Day

November 11, 2026Veterans Day

Full source list on About.