Can I enter Canada with an expired Canadian passport

Bringing the right identification to the airport will help with a quick identity verification and check-in process.

Remember that the name on your identification must match the name on your airline ticket and boarding pass.

Domestic air travel

If you have Canadian identification

Show one of these documents at the boarding gate:

one piece of photo identification issued by a Canadian federal, provincial or territorial government with your full name and date of birth or
two pieces of identification issued by a Canadian federal, provincial or territorial government. Both must have your name and at least one must have your full name and date of birth.

All government-issued identification documents (Canadian or foreign) must be valid. They cannot be expired.

Here are some examples of acceptable Canadian government-issued identification documents:

passport
citizenship card
Canadian permanent resident card
Canadian provincial or territorial driver's licence
Canadian provincial or territorial health card
Canadian provincial or territorial government identification cards
birth certificate
Record of Landing Form/Confirmation of Permanent Residence (IMM 5292)
immigration documents issued to foreign nationals (e.g., Work Permit, Study Permit, Visitor Record, Temporary Resident Permit, Refugee Approved Status)
Canadian military identification
federal police identification
federal or provincial government employee identification cards
Old Age Security (OAS) identification card
Certificate of Indian Status (Status Card) issued by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
NEXUS card
firearms licence

You can no longer use hunting, boating and fishing licences as identification for domestic flights.

In the event of loss or theft of identification documents, see subsection 3(2) of the Secure Air Travel Regulations for information on alternative identification requirements for domestic air travel.

If you don’t have Canadian identification

You can use any of the travel documents you used to enter Canada, such as:

International air travel

Show one of these required forms of identification at the boarding gate for an international flight to/from Canada:

one piece of valid identification issued by a government authority with your photo, full name, date of birth and gender such as:

For Canadian citizens

Always carry a valid Canadian passport when you travel outside Canada. See Travel documents for more information.

Hi. If a valid visa inside an expired passport is presented at an official Port of Entry, along with valid passport or travel doc, the visa is considered valid. Be sure to explain that your passport was stolen and then re-found. Thanks for your question!

— IRCC (@CitImmCanada) December 28, 2017

Make sure you carry proper identification for yourself and any children or minors travelling with you. You must be able to confirm your legal right or authorization to enter Canada at the border.

Residents returning to Canada

Carry a valid Canadian passport for all visits abroad, including visits to the United States (U.S.). It is the only universally accepted identification document, and it proves that you have a right to return to Canada.

Acceptable documents to denote identity and citizenship

Upon arrival at a Canadian port of entry, travellers must satisfy a CBSA border services officer (BSO) that they meet the requirements for entry into Canada. For Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered under the Indian Act, this can be done through questioning and through verifying documentation such as a:

Canadian passport
Canadian birth certificate
permanent residence card
citizenship card
Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) card or valid Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) card

If you do not have a passport, and are returning to Canada, the following documents can denote identity and citizenship:

NEXUS card, held by a Canadian citizen, when entering Canada by air (when coming from the U.S.), land, or marine modes
FAST card (Free and Secure Trade), issued to a Canadian citizen (when arriving by land or marine modes only)
Canadian emergency travel document
Canadian temporary passport
Certificate of Canadian citizenship (issued from 1954 to present)
Enhanced driver's license issued by a Canadian province or territory
Enhanced identification/photo card issued by a Canadian province or territory

Permanent residents of Canada who are members of the NEXUS or FAST programs must travel with a passport and , and may be asked to present these documents to the officer upon arrival at the border.

Acceptable documents for establishing Registered Indian Status and identity

Every person registered under the Indian Act can enter and remain in Canada by right as per subsection A19(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS), more commonly referred to as the Status card, is an identity document issued by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada confirming that the cardholder is registered as a Status Indian under the Indian Act.

Note: The Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) was replaced by the SCIS in 2009. Existing versions of the CIS will remain valid until their renewal date.

If you plan to travel to or transit through the U.S., we encourage you to visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for information concerning the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, and the requirements to enter or return to the U.S.

Travel with children and minors

When travelling with a minor, you should:

carry copies of any legal custody documents, such as custody rights, if applicable
arrive at the border in the same vehicle as the minor
carry a consent letter if:
- you share custody of the minor and the other parent or legal guardian is not travelling with you
- you are not the parent or legal guardian of the minor

A consent letter must include the custodial parents' or legal guardians':

full name
address
telephone number

Border services officers are always watching for missing children and may ask questions about any minors travelling with you.

To avoid delays, have your consent letter notarized to support its authenticity. For more information on consent letters and to download an interactive form, visit Recommended consent letter for children travelling abroad.

More information

International visitors to Canada

All international travellers must carry acceptable identification and a valid visa (if necessary) when entering Canada. A passport is recommended because it is the only reliable and universally-accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel.

International transport companies, such as airlines, must make sure that travellers have proper, valid travel documents. If you do not have the proper documents, you may be delayed or refused entry into Canada. What you need will depend on where you are from, how you are travelling, and what documents you are travelling with. Consult entry requirements by country.

When you enter Canada, a border services officer will ask to see your passport and a valid visa, if you are arriving from a country for which one is required. Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website to learn more about what travel documents are required.

Citizens of the U.S. who are members of the NEXUS program may present their membership card as proof of identification and as a document that denotes citizenship, when arriving by air (when coming from the U.S.), land, or marine modes.

Citizens of the U.S. who are members of the FAST program may use their cards as proof of identity when arriving by land and marine modes only.

Permanent residents of the U.S. who are members of the NEXUS or FAST programs must travel with a passport and , and may be asked to present these documents to the officer upon arrival at the border.

All visitors arriving from or transiting through the U.S. are encouraged to visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for information concerning the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, and the requirements to enter or return to the U.S.

Electronic Travel Authorization

Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada.

Exceptions, or visa and eTA-exempt foreign nationals, include:

U.S. citizens
U.S Lawful Permanent Residents
travellers with a valid Canadian visa
Other exceptions

Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and Canadian permanent residents do not need to apply for an eTA.

Certain low-risk foreign nationals from select visa-required countries may also travel to or through Canada by air using an eTA through the eTA expansion program.

Be prepared: Apply for an eTA before you book your flight to Canada. Most applicants get approved within minutes. However, some applications can take several days to process so don’t wait until the last minute.

More information

Fake websites

Travellers who apply for an eTA are advised to be cautious in all dealings with companies that claim to offer help in getting an eTA. These companies are not operating on behalf of the Government of Canada. Many have established websites that charge a fee to provide information and submit eTA applications.

This Government of Canada website is the official place to apply for an Electronic Travel Application.

Report a problem on this page

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Can I use an expired Canadian passport to enter Canada?

When you come to Canada, you must travel with a valid passport or travel document. Your passport or travel document is considered valid if it's: legal. not expired, and.

Can a Canadian get back into Canada without a passport?

Acceptable documents to denote identity and citizenship For Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered under the Indian Act, this can be done through questioning and through verifying documentation such as a: Canadian passport. Canadian birth certificate. permanent residence card.

Can you cross Canadian land border with expired passport?

While you may enter Canada with your expired U.S. passport as proof of your citizenship, you need a passport book, card or any other WHTI-compliant document to re-enter the United States. While you will not be expressly denied entry at the border, you may face delays if you cannot present valid travel documents.

What if my passport expired Canada?

You need to apply for a new passport. If your passport was issued more than 15 years ago, you need to apply for a new passport. You can't apply for a renewal. You can only renew a 5- or 10-year passport.