Canada health measures stay in force until Aug. 29 for US travelers

Inside the Level 1 advisory

The U.S. State Department reaffirmed its Level 1 "Exercise normal precautions" advisory for Canada on June 5, with no change to the risk level or indicators. The department calls Canada "generally a safe destination for travelers" while flagging petty crime in tourist areas and advising visitors to avoid demonstrations and crowded gatherings.

Canada's border guidance, updated this month, tells arrivals to confirm travel and identification documents, visa or eTA status, customs rules and device-examination policies before crossing. Time-limited standard health border measures stay in force until 11:59 p.m. EDT on Aug. 29.

Who the guidance touches

Tourists carry the lightest load: keep documents ready, watch belongings in busy areas and steer clear of protests. U.S. citizens can enter using a valid passport, passport card or NEXUS card.

Long-stay travelers face heavier friction. The advisory warns that temporary visitors may struggle to access ongoing medical care because many Canadian doctors aren't accepting new patients and provincial health coverage can require a waiting period of up to three months for newcomers. Frequent cross-border business travelers are pointed toward STEP enrollment and current NEXUS credentials.

Costs, stays and paperwork

U.S. citizens generally don't need a tourist visa for stays under 180 days. Other nationalities entering visa-free need an eTA, which costs CAN$7 and usually clears within minutes online.

For travelers who do need a visitor visa, the fees and limits are set:

• Visitor visa: $100 per individual, $500 for a family of five or more
• Standard stay: up to six months, unless a border officer sets a shorter limit
• eTA: CAN$7, applied for online

Two other shifts matter for longer-term plans. Permanent residence fees rose on April 30, hitting people moving to Canada rather than visiting. The Canada Border Services Agency now flags digital device examinations at ports of entry and pushes air arrivals to use Advance Declaration in ArriveCAN to speed customs.

Private travel medical insurance remains the practical backstop for anyone outside the provincial systems. Track visa updates for changes as the health measures approach their August expiry.

Read our full Canada guide for the complete picture.