Passport and Visa Information

Helpful Passport and Visa Information

It is the responsibility of all registered attendees to ensure that they obtain the necessary documents to travel into Canada.  Reimbursements of registration fees will not be issued for failure to obtain the correct documents.  It may take several months to obtain the appropriate documents so please allow yourself sufficient time.
  
Entry Requirements
Canada has introduced a new entry requirement, known as the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), for visa-exempt nationals who fly to Canada.  This regulation became mandatory March 15, 2016.  Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travelers with a valid visa.
 
The eTA is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for five years or until your passport expires.  Applying for an eTA is a simple and inexpensive ($7 CAD) online process that will take just a few minutes.  Most eTA-eligible applicants will get their authorization within minutes of submitting the online form.
 
For more information or to see if you need to obtain an eTA, visit the CIC website. 
 
Passports
Passports are required for U.S. citizens to enter Canada.  Please be sure yours is up-to-date and will be valid at least six months beyond the date of the meeting.  
 
For more information on applying for a United States passport, visit the U.S. Department of State website. 

For non-U.S. citizens, visit your government’s website for more information on passport applications.
 
Visas
Attendees from countries other than the U.S. are encouraged to check the visa requirements early as well.  Visa regulations depend on your nationality and country of origin.  Citizens of certain countries and territories need a visa to visit or transit Canada; please use this link to verify if you do.  If you require a visa, please follow the required guidelines when applying.  Or, contact your local Canadian Consulate for full and official instructions on the specific visa regulations and application procedures that apply to you. 
 
Visa and Passport Application Processing Times
Processing times for visa and passport applications vary depending on the office, country, and time of year.  Attendees are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible for their visas and passports, and to submit complete applications including all supporting documents.
 
Returning to the U.S./Crossing U.S. Borders
Documentation is essential to ensuring a problem-free U.S. border crossing.  Every traveler must take the initiative to determine which documents are needed for them to enter the United States via land, sea, or air based upon their citizenship or place of residence.  For more information on requirement to smoothly navigate your return to the U.S. visit the Homeland Security’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.