When a non-U.S. citizen enters Canada, a valid passport, study permit, and temporary resident visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) are required.Â
If you are travelling from Canada, solely to the United States, and back to Canada, not entering any other country, there is a TRV exemption policy R190(3)(f) in the . If you are travelling by air, we strongly recommend that you have a valid TRV.
If you are studying in Canada for less than six months and do not have a study permit, you will require proof that your temporary resident status in Canada is current. The stamp in your passport allows you to stay in Canada until the date written, or if no date is written, up to six months from date of entry. Provided your stamp is still valid, you can re-enter Canada without additional approval. However, if you visited another country on the same trip (Mexico, for example), you may require the TRV or eTA depending on your country of citizenship.
Returning your I-94 card
Travelling by road
You will be given a white or green I-94 card when you enter the U.S. by road. When you leave the U.S., it is important to return your I-94 card to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer so that your departure is recorded. If you are returning to the U.S. within 30 days of last entry into Canada, you can use the same I-94 card if it was not returned to the CBP and it is still valid. If a CBP officer does not collect your I-94 card, mail the card and proof of departure using the .
Travelling by air
I-94 cards are no longer issued for travel by air or sea as the travel information is collected electronically. If you travel by road into the U.S. and travel by air out of the U.S., your card will be collected at the airport. If it is not collected, you should keep your boarding pass to show the border officer on your next visit to the U.S. This will prove that you left the country after your last visit.