FAQs

Yes, in most cases, you are required to provide identification when exchanging currency in Canada, particularly for larger transactions. This is due to Canada's stringent anti-money laundering (AML) and anti-terrorist financing (ATF) regulations, enforced by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

Nova Scotia, one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces, is renowned for its rich culinary heritage that blends traditional Acadian, Mi’kmaq, and British influences with the bounty of the sea and fertile farmland. Because Nova Scotia is near the Atlantic Ocean, it is known for great seafood, but its cuisine includes much more. If you come to Nova Scotia, you have to try the lobster rolls and the wild blueberries

Alberta is famous for its foods which are shaped by its farming, diverse cultures and cattle industry. The province of Alberta is famous for its beef farming and production which draws people from all over, as its food scene is very diverse. Here are some of the famous food to eat in Alberta

As of 2025, the longest you can stay in Canada without a visa is typically up to 6 months, but this depends on your country of citizenship and the decision of the border officer at the time of entry.

Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, is a dynamic city known for its rich cultural diversity and welcoming atmosphere. The main language of Winnipeg is English and most people in the city use it when speaking and working. 

Yes. The Canadian border may stamp your passport, but it largely depends on how you enter the country and under what circumstances. Passport stamping in Canada is not mandatory for all travelers and is increasingly being replaced by digital entry records, especially at major points of entry.

Whenever you visit Canada in 2025, you must tell the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) about certain items you are bringing. Its importance lies in its role in continuous border protection, positive health conditions and equitable trading. Leaving out items on your customs form can cause you to suffer severe penalties such as thousands of dollars in fines, the loss of your goods or you could be taken to court. Here's a comprehensive list of what you generally need to declare when entering Canada: 1. Goods You’re Bringing Into the Country You must declare any items you’re bringing into Canada, including: Gifts for friends or family (regardless of their value) Goods for resale or commercial use Any items you plan to leave behind, including promotional materials, samples, or donations If you’re bringing cameras, laptops or other professional equipment and intend to take them out of the country, it helps to have proof (receipts or serial numbers) to show you own them and avoid unexpected charges. 2. Currency or Monetary Instruments Over CAD $10,000 If you're carrying CAD $10,000 or more (or the equivalent in foreign currency), you must declare it. This includes: Cash Cheques Money orders Bank drafts Stocks and bonds Declaring large sums of money is legal and will not result in penalties — unless you fail to declare it. 3. Food, Plants, and Animal Products Canada has strict rules on the importation of: Fresh fruits and vegetables Meat and poultry products Dairy and eggs Seeds, nuts, spices, and grains Live plants, cut flowers, and soil Animal hides, bones, horns, feathers Some items might be allowed if they meet particular conditions or come from particular countries, but they must still be declared. Food items like snacks and packed goods need approval ahead of travel and could be taken by customs if not approved. 4. Alcohol and Tobacco If you are of legal age (18 or 19 depending on the province), you may bring: 1.14 liters (40 oz) of liquor, OR 1.5 liters of wine, OR 8.5 liters of beer or ale Tobacco allowances include: 200 cigarettes 50 cigars 200g of manufactured tobacco 200 tobacco sticks These amounts are duty-free, but must be declared regardless of quantity. 5. Prescription Drugs and Medical Devices You may bring prescription medications for personal use, but they must be: In original packaging with a proper label Accompanied by a doctor’s note if possible Limited to a 90-day supply or less (in most cases) Some medications legal in your country may be prohibited or restricted in Canada, especially controlled substances. 6. Firearms, Weapons, and Restricted Items Weapons are legally controlled very closely in Canada. Tell the security team about any firearms, pepper spray, knives or defensive items in your baggage. It is generally safe not to carry such things with you when you are a tourist. How to declare items at customs Canada: Customs Declaration Card (E311): If you enter Canada by air, you may need to fill out a paper Customs Declaration Card (E311) before seeing a CBSA officer or you may use an automated Primary Inspection Kiosk. You are allowed to add up to four people who live at the same address on one card. Primary Inspection Kiosks (PIK): When traveling though a major Canadian airport, you should use a PIK to scan your passport, take a picture and complete an on-screen form before seeing the CBSA officer. ArriveCAN (Optional Advance Declaration): For people arriving in Canada in 2025, the ArriveCAN app is not required but is highly suggested. You will be able to complete your customs and immigration form 72 hours early, if you are flying into Canada from airports that support the CBSA Declaration system. That can greatly shorten the time you spend going through the border. Verbal Declaration:  When you arrive at the border crossing by car, bus, train or private boat, you will generally tell a Border Services Officer your purpose at the first checkpoint. Always remember: When in doubt, declare it. If you declare an item and the officer says it’s allowed, that’s much better than not declaring it and facing big penalties. Border Services Officers are available to explain and help with anything that is unclear. If you are traveling to Canada, declare all food, money, alcohol, tobacco, medications and goods for others or use at the Canadian border. Truthful and organized conduct guarantees an unproblematic and valid way into the country.

If you are denied entry to Canada at the airport, the situation can be serious and stressful. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has the authority to refuse any traveler entry, even if they hold a valid visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Below is a detailed explanation of what happens and what you can expect:

Yes, customs checkpoints are required for travelers to Canada, no matter if they are coming to Canada for tourism, business, study or immigration. The CBSA takes care of this process by making sure that Canada’s border laws, immigration policies and customs regulations are followed.

Planning a road trip to Canada? Driv‌ing across the border into Canad‌a is a scenic and excitin‌g way to explor‌e the coun‌try, but befo‌re you embark on your journey, it'‌s cruc‌ial to understa‌nd the necessar‌y document‌s and requ‌ireme‌nts for enterin‌g the coun‌try by car. Whether your trip is a shor‌t vacation‌, a visit with famil‌y, or simp‌ly a trans‌it stop, Canadi‌an border official‌s will require speci‌fic identi‌ficat‌ion and complia‌nce with entry regul‌ation‌s. 1. Valid Identification and Travel Documents U.S. Citizens: If you're a U.S. citizen, you must present one of the following approved forms of identification when entering Canada by land: Passport – This is the most common and strongly recommended document. NEXUS Card – For travelers who are part of the trusted traveler program. Only valid at specific designated ports of entry with NEXUS lanes. Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) – A special type of state-issued license that proves both identity and citizenship. Only available in a few U.S. states: Michigan (MI), New York (NY), Vermont (VT), Washington (WA), and Minnesota (MN). Note: A standard U.S. driver’s license is not sufficient on its own to cross the border. Non-U.S. Citizens: A valid passport – This is required for everyone entering Canada, regardless of nationality. A Canadian visa or eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization): If you are from a country requi‌ring a visa, you must obtain a visi‌tor visa prior to enter‌ing Canada‌, even if trave‌ling by car. ‌If you are from a country waivi‌ng visa require‌ments‌, you do not need an eTA if enterin‌g Canada by land or sea. eTAs are only neces‌sary for air travel to Canada. Example: Citi‌zens of Germa‌ny, the UK, France, and Japan do not require a visa to enter these countr‌ies by car, although a valid passpo‌rt is stil‌l mandator‌y. Proof of legal status in the U.S - If you are resid‌ing in the U.S. on a visa‌, green card, or stude‌nt/wo‌rk permit, Cana‌dian borde‌r agents may request to see it to verify your right to re-e‌nter the U.S. follow‌ing your Canadi‌an visit. For Minors: Chil‌dren under the age of 16 may use a birth certifi‌cate (orig‌inal, phot‌ocopy, or cert‌ified copy‌) in place of a pass‌port.‌ If travel‌ing withou‌t both parents, a letter of consent from the non-t‌ravel‌ing parent‌(s) or guardian‌, includin‌g contact infor‌matio‌n, must be carr‌ied. Divo‌rced or separat‌ed parents should also presen‌t custody docum‌ents.‌ When trav‌eling in a grou‌p of vehic‌les, paren‌ts or guar‌dians must be in the same vehi‌cle as their childre‌n at the border cros‌sing. 2. Vehicle Requirements Valid Driver’s License: You must carry a valid driver's license from your home country or U.S. state International Driving Permit (IDP) is not required for U.S. drivers, but visitors from other countries may need an IDP in addition to their home license, depending on their language and duration of stay. Vehicle Registration: You need to bring proof that your vehicle is legally registered This shows that you are the legal owner or have permission to operate the vehicle. A rental car agreement is acceptable if you're using a rental. For leased or borrowed vehicles, it’s wise to carry a letter of authorization from the owner.  Note for rental cars: If you’re driving a rental car across the border, confirm that your rental agreement permits travel into Canada, and ensure that the insurance coverage is valid internationally. Most major rental companies allow it but may require prior notice. Proof of Insurance: Your vehicle must be insured‌, and that insu‌rance must be valid withi‌n Canada. U.S. auto insur‌ance polic‌ies someti‌mes includ‌e coverage for Canad‌a, but you shou‌ld confirm this coverage with your insu‌rance prov‌ider.‌ The mini‌mum insura‌nce covera‌ge require‌d in Canad‌a includes liab‌ility cove‌rage to protect you from finan‌cial respo‌nsibi‌lity for any damage or injury you cause. Wh‌ile some U.S. insure‌rs may automati‌cally prov‌ide adequa‌te coverag‌e, it is advisa‌ble to carry a Canad‌ian Non-Re‌siden‌t Inter-Pr‌ovinc‌e Motor Vehicle Liab‌ility Insu‌rance Card, which can usually be obtain‌ed from your insuran‌ce provide‌r. 3. Entry and Customs Inspection At the Canada-U.S. border, you’ll be asked to: Declare your citizenship and travel purpose Show your travel documents Answer questions about your destination, length of stay, and items you're bringing in Declare firearms, large amounts of cash, alcohol, cannabis, or food items 4. Popular Land Border Entry Points If you're entering Canada by car, here are some of the most frequently used and well-equipped land crossings: Peace Arch (Blaine, WA ↔ Surrey, BC) – Very popular with West Coast travelers. Windsor-Detroit Tunnel or Ambassador Bridge (MI ↔ ON) – Major entry for those heading to Southern Ontario. Rainbow Bridge (Niagara Falls, NY ↔ ON) – Offers a scenic crossing with views of Niagara Falls. Champlain–St. Bernard de Lacolle (NY ↔ QC) – Main gateway into Quebec and Montreal. Highgate Springs–St. Armand/Philipsburg (VT ↔ QC) – A key entry point for Vermont-based travelers. Calais–St. Stephen (ME ↔ NB) – Common for travel into Canada’s Maritime provinces. 5. Items Not Allowed or Restricted Firearms Must be declared at the border — failing to do so is a serious offense. Canada has strict firearm laws; some types (like handguns or automatic weapons) may be prohibited or require special permits. If allowed, the firearm must be properly stored and registered according to Canadian regulations. Cannabis Although cannabis is legal in Canada for both medical and recreational use, it is illegal to bring it across international borders—even if you're entering from a country or U.S. state where it's also legal. This includes cannabis products, oils, edibles, or any form. Possession at the border, even unintentionally, can lead to fines, arrest, or permanent bans from entering Canada. Food, Plants, and Animal Products Canada restricts the entry of certain fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, seeds, plants, and soil to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. Items may be allowed under specific conditions, but they must be declared at the border. Failing to declare such items can result in confiscation, fines, or further inspection. Prescription Medications Allowed if: Properly labeled Accompanied by a doctor’s prescription Carry only a reasonable personal quantity Avoid traveling with medications not legally approved in Canada Electronics (e.g., Drones) Drones are allowed for recreational use, but must be: Declared Compliant with Transport Canada regulations Commercial use requires registration and possibly a Special Flight Operations Certificate Failure to declare could result in seizure or fines Ente‌ring Canada by car is relati‌vely strai‌ghtfo‌rward if you are properly prep‌ared. The corr‌ect docume‌nts, honesty with bord‌er officer‌s, and knowledg‌e of permi‌ssibl‌e items will contrib‌ute to a smooth and prob‌lem-f‌ree border cros‌sing.‌