If your trip involves travel across the US-Canadian border, you can help ensure a safe and speedy passage by reviewing the following requirements and guidelines. Amtrak services that cross the US-Canadian border are subject to inspection by Canadian and American law enforcement officials.
When making a reservation for services crossing the US-Canadian border, you must provide certain information, including your date of birth, gender, country of citizenship, and detailed information regarding the form of ID that you will carry with you on your trip. Further conditions apply.
Providing inaccurate or incomplete information will subject you to extensive inspection and questioning at the border. Please make sure that you supply us with complete and accurate information.
The information you provide when you make your reservation will be entered into your reservation record and supplied to Customs and Immigration officers to facilitate your clearance. Neither Amtrak nor VIA Rail Canada will use this information for any other purpose.
The form of identification you carry with you on your trip should be the same piece of ID that you selected and provided details about when you made your reservation.
You must carry the original, valid identification document. Copies, expired or otherwise invalid documents will not be accepted. Each passenger must have his or her own ID.
Passengers traveling from Vancouver, BC should arrive at least one hour prior to departure for border crossing processing. For those passengers who are not citizens of either the United States or Canada, it is strongly advised to arrive earlier than one hour to complete additional United States Customs and Border Protection processing.
Be aware that you may experience delays at border crossings. Such delays are usually due to US and/or Canadian customs and immigration procedures, and are beyond Amtrak's control.
The Canada Border Services Agency and US Customs and Border Protection Department are very
concerned about the safety of children crossing the border. The following applies to any situation
where a passenger under 18 years old is not crossing the border accompanied by both parents:
* Amtrak will not deny travel to an adult without this, but the adult may be subject to extensive questioning and delay by border control officers.
Passengers 17 years old and younger traveling alone may not cross the US-Canadian border regardless of ID or notarized letter, unless accompanied by another passenger who is at least 18 years old.
Exception: Children 15-17 years old who are citizens or residents of one country and bearing identifications proving this, but who are already in the other country, may return home by themselves. For example, a 16-year-old who is a Canadian citizen and has a Canadian passport or other required document is already in the United States, that 16-year-old may return home to Canada.
The only acceptable documents to cross the US-Canadian border by land or sea are:
(Under 19 if traveling with an organized group such as a school trip)
Citizens of other countries who are permanent residents of the United States:
Citizens of other countries who are permanent residents of Canada:
Citizens of all other countries who are not permanent residents of the United States or Canada:
If a United States or Canadian citizen will at any point cross the border by air, a full passport (not the passport card) or a NEXUS card are the only two allowable documents for the air portion of travel.
Effective June 1, 2009, the following will no longer be accepted from travelers 16 and over:
US-VISIT is an enhanced border inspection program implemented by the US Department of Homeland Security. US-VISIT requirements do not replace visa requirements for entering the United States. Visit Department of Homeland Security to find out if US-VISIT applies to you, the entry process, fees and more.
Permission to enter the US or Canada is granted solely at the discretion of Customs and Immigration officers. Accordingly, possession of required documentation and providing Amtrak with required information in no way guarantees entry into the United States or Canada.
Neither Amtrak nor VIA Rail Canada nor any other carrier is in any way liable in the event that you are denied entry or delayed on your trip. Trains or buses will not be delayed at the border on your behalf if you are detained.
For further information, contact the appropriate US or Canadian government offices prior to travel:
