1. I’m a U.S. citizen.  What documents do I need to enter Canada?

Visas are not required for U.S. citizens entering Canada from the U.S. You will, however, need:

Immigration

A U.S. passport is proof of both citizenship and identity. Persons who are dual nationals should enter the U.S. using U.S. documents only, as they could be fined under U.S. law for entering the U.S. on a foreign passport. U.S. citizens returning to the U.S. via air or bus who lack proof of citizenship should contact the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. consulate for assistance.

U.S. Customs

The duty-free exemption, also called the personal exemption, is the total value of merchandise you may bring back to the United States without having to pay duty. You may bring back more than your exemption, but you will have to pay duty on it. There are limits on the amount of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products you may include in your duty-free personal exemption.

The duty-free exemptions apply if:

• The items are for your personal or household use or intended to be given as bonafide gifts.
• They are in your possession, that is, they accompany you when you return to the United States. Items to be sent later may not be included in your $800 duty-free exemption.
• They are declared to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting it. If in doubt, declare it.
• You are returning from an overseas stay of at least 48 hours. For example, if you leave the United States at 1:30 p.m. on June 1, you would complete the 48-hour period at 1:30 p.m. on June 3.
• You have not used all of your exemption allowance, or used any part of it, in the past 30 days—for example, if you go to Canada and bring back $150 worth of items—you must wait another 30 days before you are allowed another $800 exemption.
• The items are not prohibited or restricted.

Importation of Food, Plant, and Animal Products into the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture establishes criteria for the admissibility of plant, dairy and meat products returning with travelers and has the final say about what may be admitted into the U.S.  Disease and pest outbreaks, which impact the admissibility status of fresh and packaged food items, occur all over the world at a moments notice.  For the most current information, contact the USDA at 301-734-8896.

Failure to declare all food products can result in civil penalties.

3. I’m a non-U.S. citizen studying or working in the U.S. on a visa.  What do I need to know?

Non-U.S. citizens studying or working in the U.S. on a visa, who wish to travel to Canada temporarily and return to their institutions, must secure the necessary documents to leave the U.S., enter Canada and to re-enter the U.S. Because each person is likely to have a unique situation, ASA recommends that non-U.S. citizens planning to travel to Montréal contact the International Student Advisor  at their institution as soon as possible to be sure that they have the proper documentation to leave and re-enter the U.S.

To Enter Canada (from the U.S. or other countries)

Residents from certain countries who wish to enter Canada will need to obtain a Temporary Resident Visa.  To find out if you need a Temporary Resident Visa, check the list of countries and territories whose citizens need a visa to enter Canada at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.html  If you need a Temporary Resident Visa, you can find a Guide and an Application on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Web site at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/visa.html.

You may also need a letter of invitation to accompany your Temporary Resident Visa application.  You may request a letter from ASA by sending a message to meetings@asanet.org. All requests for letters of invitation should be submitted as soon as possible and no later than June 1, 2006. Please be sure to include the following:

• Your complete name
• Organization
• Job Title
• Mailing Address
• Fax Number
• E-mail Address.

Requesting a letter of invitation to attend the ASA Annual Meeting does not guarantee that you will obtain a Canadian visa.