When you want to know, can greencard holders travel Canada, you will be required to provide your green card (proof of your status in the U.S), along with a passport that is valid. As a permanent resident in the U.S, you cannot apply for a U.S passport, which means you will need your passport from the country that you have citizenship in.
Can Greencard Holders Travel Canada, By Sea Or Land?
The requirements to enter Canada by either sea or land are a bit more relaxed compared to the rules to enter by air. All that you will need is a NEXUS card, photo ID, like your driver’s license, or a passport issued from the country that you have citizenship in, along with a green card that will prove your permanent and lawful resident status within the U.S.
Rules For Traveling By Air
If you plan to travel to Canada by air, requirements are more stringent when compared to sea or land travel. You are required to travel with your green-card, your photo ID, along with a requirement that is relatively new which is only applicable to air travel for the visa-exempt nationals. This will include an eTA (electronic travel authorization), that you need to apply for through the online Government of Canada’s citizenship and immigration department.
About Electronic Travel Authorization
When applying for your eTA, you will require a passport from the country that you originate from, a debit or credit card to pay for the small fee which will be in Canadian dollars, along with a valid email address to receive your confirmation on your eTA. This usually occurs within minutes, but you might be asked a few questions about your personal travel documentation. If you are required to answer additional questions, you will be provided with additional instruction in 72-hours of the application.
It is important to note that people from the non-visa exempt countries are not able to apply for eTAs, yet a U.S permanent-resident status will permit a way to apply, even when the person’s passport does not fall under the visa-exempt countries.
How To Avoid Delays Or Scams
The Canadian government warns that people should stay away from the 3rd-party sites, which offer services to assist you in getting your eTA. In many cases these are scams, or they collect an additional fee on something that is easy to do on your own within a few minutes. You should always apply through the Government of Canada website. It is also suggested to apply for an eTA before booking your flights. The delays might be rare, but they are possible. For this reason, it is a better idea to apply when you start planning the trip, opposed to waiting until a day or two before your flight.