Crossing the world’s longest undefended border used to feel like a breeze, but honestly, it’s gotten a lot more technical lately. If you’re planning a road trip from Seattle to Vancouver or flying from Toronto to New York, the rules aren’t just about having "some kind of ID" anymore. Things have shifted. Between the phase-out of certain remote permits and those super-strict new CDC dog rules that caught everyone off guard last year, you’ve basically got to be a mini-expert in international law just to grab a poutine across the line.
You might hear people say you only need a driver's license. That's a myth—and a dangerous one if you don't want to be turned around at the booth.
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US and Canada border crossing requirements for 2026
The most important thing to wrap your head around is that the requirements change depending on how you are traveling. Land, sea, and air are treated differently by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
If you are flying, it is simple: you need a passport. No exceptions for adults. Even if you have a NEXUS card, most airlines and gate agents are going to demand that booklet. But if you’re driving, you have a bit more wiggle room.
For land and sea travel, U.S. and Canadian citizens can use:
- A valid Passport or Passport Card.
- An Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL). Only a few states like Michigan, New York, and Minnesota, or provinces like Ontario and BC, still issue these, so check your top right corner for that "Enhanced" flag.
- A NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI card.
The 2026 Remote Crossing Shake-up
One major thing most people are getting wrong right now involves the northern woods. For decades, the Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) program let people slide into Canada in spots like the Northwest Angle or Lake of the Woods without talking to a human. That program is officially dead as of September 14, 2026.
If you're a fisherman or a cabin owner in those remote spots, you can't just carry that old paper permit anymore. You now have to report via telephone at designated sites. The CBSA wants a more "consistent security environment," which is basically government-speak for "we want to know exactly who is in the woods."
Why your dog might be the reason you're denied entry
This is the big one. If you haven't traveled with a pet since 2024, you are in for a shock. The CDC updated their rules for dogs entering the U.S., and they are surprisingly aggressive.
First, your dog must be at least six months old. No more bringing that 8-week-old puppy across the border for a weekend. Second, they must have an ISO-compatible microchip. And here is the kicker: the microchip must have been implanted before their last rabies shot. If you did it the other way around, you might have to re-vaccinate just to satisfy the paperwork.
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You also need a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. It’s free, but you have to do it online before you hit the border. Honestly, it’s a bit of a headache, but the border agents aren't budging on this.
Kids and "The Permission Letter"
Traveling with your kids is usually fine, but if you’re a solo parent or traveling with a niece/nephew, bring a consent letter. Border agents are trained to look for child abduction signs. A simple note signed by the non-present parent with their phone number usually solves the problem. It doesn't have to be notarized, but it definitely helps if it looks official.
NEXUS and the waiting game
NEXUS is still the "gold standard" for frequent travelers, but don't expect to get one overnight. As of early 2026, wait times for interviews are still hovering around 18 to 20 months for some applicants. It’s super random. Some people get lucky in three months; others are stuck in "Pending Review" purgatory for over a year.
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If you have a NEXUS card, make sure everyone in the car has one too. You can’t use the "fast lane" if even one person in the backseat is just using a regular passport. That’s a quick way to get your membership revoked.
Essential Tech: ArriveCAN and CBP One
Is ArriveCAN still a thing? Sort of. It’s no longer mandatory for health reasons, but you can use it to submit your customs declaration 72 hours early. It actually does save time at the airport kiosks. On the U.S. side, the "CBP One" app is becoming more common for land travelers to apply for their I-94 permits in advance.
If you’re a non-citizen (like a Green Card holder or an eTA-eligible traveler), these apps aren't just "handy"—they're often part of the required workflow to avoid 2-hour secondary inspection rooms.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your passport expiration date; Canada generally requires it to be valid for the duration of your stay, but the U.S. often prefers six months of "buffer" time.
- If traveling with a dog, verify that the microchip was scanned and recorded at the time of their rabies vaccination on their certificate.
- Download the ArriveCAN or CBP One app at least a week before your trip to create your profile and avoid the "no-signal" panic at the actual border crossing.