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Providing additional information at borders

The requirements of U.S. authorities for identification upon entering the United States have become much stricter. Travellers entering the U.S. by air or by sea are required to provide additional information, such as their address while in the U.S., including Puerto Rico. They may also be asked for evidence of residential, employment, or educational ties to Canada; proof that the trip is for a legitimate purpose and is of a reasonable length; and proof of financial support while in the country. All carriers (notably airlines, but also rail and bus services) have become much stricter about requiring proof of admissibility to the U.S., as a result of the heavy fines they face for carrying inadmissible passengers.

Since January 18, 2009, non-U.S. citizens have been required to provide biometrics – such as digital fingerprints and a photograph - upon entry into the United States, according to the implementation of the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US VISIT) Program. Canadian citizens are exempt from this program, unless they require a waiver of ineligibility or if they must obtain an I-94 visa to document dates of entry/exit from the country. A complete list of exempt and non-exempt travellers is available from the Department of Homeland Security. However, there have been reports of random screenings of exempt Canadians occurring at border crossings and airports, even when the visiting Canadians were just transiting through the United States. Canadians who feel that their information has been wrongfully collected can address the issue directly with the Department of Homeland Security.

More information on border security programs currently in force in the United States is available from the U.S. CBP.