6 Months

[ShellyG]

Can an American stay in Canada for 6 months without a Visitors Visa if they told the border that they were only staying for a few days?

[BeShoo]

If there is no passport stamp or a stamp with no expiry date written in, you are good for 6 months. If there's an expiry date written in, then that date is firm.

You're allowed to change your mind about how long you're staying, as long as you leave before your visitor status expires.

[ShellyG]

I don't have a passport...Don't need one to cross the border since I'm American...Thank you for your help!!

[Baloo]

As of June 1, 2009, everyone from every country arriving in Canada by air, land and sea has needed a passport or equivalent travel document.

However, several other valid travel documents denote identity and citizenship and thereby act as substitutes for a passport for entry into Canada for U.S. citizens.
NEXUS Card:
U.S. Passport Card:
Enhanced Driver's License (EDL):
FAST/Expres card:

[BeShoo]

Well, if you have one of the other types of passport substitutes, you have implied permission for 6 months, so it's the same as having a passport without a stamp. You won't have convenient proof of when you came in, so it would be good to retain receipts and such that could serve as evidence of when you came into Canada.

Keep in mind that most of these alternative documents are not valid for air travel.

[Nej]

It may not be required to have a passport getting into Canada, but I believe you need one when going back to the US.

From US Department of State website
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1082.html

"ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Entry into Canada is solely determined by Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials in accordance with Canadian law. Please see the CBSA's website for details. Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card or NEXUS card (see below) satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. If U.S. citizen travelers to Canada do not have a passport, passport card or approved alternate document such as a NEXUS card, they must show a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver's License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or expired U.S. passport. Children under sixteen need only present proof of U.S. citizenship. (Please see below for important information concerning re-entry into the United States).


When returning to the United States from Canada, it is very important to note that all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport to enter or re-enter the United States via air. For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate (original, photocopy or certified copy), Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or naturalization certificate."

[BeShoo]

It may not be required to have a passport getting into Canada, but I believe you need one when going back to the US.

Technically, I believe that's true. There is no rule requiring Americans to have a passport, etc. to enter Canada, but in practical terms it amounts to the same thing because visitors are not allowed into Canada unless the immigration officer is fairly certain that they will leave Canada at the end of their visits. The vast majority of Americans visiting Canada will be returning directly to the U.S. when their visits end, and for that they'll need a passport or equivalent, so if they don't have one, they're not going to be allowed into Canada in the first place.