Passport, please

 

 

I f you’re planning to visit Canada for the RI Convention in Montréal, Quebec, 20-23 June, you should know what kind of documents you need to enter the country.

If you’re thinking about doing some sightseeing in the United States – the border is only 45 miles south of Montréal – there are also a few things to keep in mind.

New rules that went into effect in June 2009 mean that U.S. and Canadian citizens who used to cross the land border with just a driver’s license should now remember to pack their passports. Children 15 and under can still use a birth certificate if they are traveling with family or an organized group.

If you are from one of the 34 visa-waiver countries, you can obtain a visa to visit the United States for up to 90 days at the border crossing; you’ll need to fill out a form and pay a $6 fee. Visitors from other countries should check the U.S. State Department website well in advance to determine their visa requirements.

Kevin Corsaro, public affairs liaison at the Buffalo, N.Y., field office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, offers a couple of pointers: Make sure that you declare all items you bought or received as gifts while in Canada and that you don’t inadvertently try to bring in contraband, which includes Cuban cigars and prescription drugs not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. For details on prohibited items and other border regulations, visit www.cbp.gov .