Q: Is a rental agreement and utility bill enough to be granted entry into canada from the US?

A: Entry into Canada requires that all persons carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. However, US citizens can no longer cross the border, back into the US, from Canada, using only a driver's license and birth certificate.

In addition, there are new travel restrictions because of Covid-19. These restrictions may change frequently but have included the following:

Land Border:

Effective February 15, 2021, travelers arriving to Canada by land will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken in the United States within 72 hours of arrival. This requirement extends to Canadian right of entry populations.

Essential travelers (truckers, nurses, power crews, members of cross-border communities) will not be required to provide a negative test.

Effective February 22, 2021, travelers entering Canada by land will also be required to take a COVID-19 test on arrival and at the end of their 14-day quarantine period.

View additional information on these requirements at this website.

Air Travel:

In addition to providing a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival, as of February 22, 2021, air travelers will be required to take a COVID-19 molecular test when they arrive in Canada before exiting the airport, and another toward the end of their 14-day quarantine period.

As part of this new policy, travelers will be required to reserve a 3-night stay in a government-authorized hotel prior to their departure to Canada. Travelers will be required to stay at their reserved hotel for up to 3 nights, at their own cost, while they await the results of their arrival test. Those who test positive must finish their 14-day quarantine in a Canadian government-designated facility.

View additional information on these requirements at this website.

Mandatory Use of ArriveCAN App:

Effective February 22, 2021, all travelers arriving by land will be required to submit their travel and contact information, including a quarantine plan, electronically via ArriveCAN before crossing the border. All travelers arriving to Canada must also continue to electronically submit daily COVID-related information throughout their quarantine period. Use of ArriveCan by air travelers remains mandatory.

Rules and procedures can change quickly. Please review the official Canadian Government website for current guidance when considering travel to, from, or within Canada: COVID-19 Travel, quarantine, and borders.

Actions to Take     

Keep STEP Enrollment Active   

Encourage U.S. citizen friends and family to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so the U.S. Embassy and Consulates can contact them with updated information. If you plan to remain in Canada beyond your previously planned travel dates, remember to modify your STEP profile in order to continue to receive information and emergency alerts. 

  Monitor the following U.S. Government websites

Embassy webpage for information on conditions in Canada.    

Travel Restrictions Fact Sheet for information on COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions across the U.S. Borders with Canada and Mexico.    

CDC website for the most up-to-date health information.    

COVID-19 page on travel.state.gov for the latest travel information.    

Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection for the latest on travel restrictions for entry to the U.S.  

Travel.state.gov’s Canada Information and Travel Advisory page for Canada-specific information.   

Monitor the following Canadian Government websites

Canadian Government’s COVID-19 response website.

COVID-19 Travel, quarantine, and borders for travel information