Please read the below information very carefully. There are specific instructions for U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, as well as non-U.S. citizens. 

When traveling internationally, it is your responsibility to keep informed about what to expect when crossing the border, going through customs, and encountering federal officials at the airport or land border and during travel.  Below is some general information and guidance about steps you may want to take.

  1. Know what to expect beforehand by reviewing the travel laws both in Canada and of the country you are traveling from and/or returning to
  2. Have the physical version of all required travel documents as well as multiple printed copies on hand
  3. Have documentation of your affiliation and role at the Annual Meeting

You may be required to provide your phone or other electronic device when crossing a border. It is recommended that travelers have any originals as well as sufficient physical copies of all documents related to your travel: passport, green card, visa, invitation letter from APSA and/or your institution, business cards, employment ID, hotel confirmation, etc. Keep these documents with you at all times.

The American Political Science Association does not provide legal advice. The information provided is general guidance as you prepare for travel to and from the meeting. Please review the official government websites and consult an attorney or be prepared to do so if you have concerns about international travel. You should also consult with your college or university, as they may have guidance regarding travel out of the country and across borders.

Below are some resources from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), and the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA).*

U.S. Resources:

Canada Resources:

*All organizations are non-profits focused on civil and human rights in their respective locations.

Travel to Canada: Resources & Information

Most information has been pulled from the Canadian Government’s Travel website to create the below guidance. We recommend checking their site for the latest and final information, as guidance is constantly evolving. We are continuing to monitor local, state/provincial, federal, and international guidance for the latest developments.

Travel to Canada: Reminders & Recommendations

✓ Check Your Passport Status: Passports can take up to 8 weeks to process (not including mail time). We strongly recommend you check your passport status as soon as possible, so if a renewal or application is required, you can begin the process. 

✓ Entry Requirements: View Entry Requirements for Canada by country or territory.

✓ Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA): Find out if you need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada.

✓ Consider Starting the Visa Process Early: Be sure to check Visa Processing Times ahead of time. You may need to book a biometrics collection appointment, and it is recommended that you do that as soon as you can. You can also check the status of your biometrics if you have given them before, as they may still be valid. After submitting their application, invitees who are required to complete biometrics will be issued a Biometric Instructions Letter (BIL) and will need to complete their biometrics before IRCC can begin processing their application.

✓ Submitting Visa Documents: Canada recommends submitting your visa documents no later than 12 weeks before your departure date.

✓ Invitation Letter Request Form (2025): If you are traveling internationally and require a visa, please complete the Invitation Letter Request Form (2025). Invitation letters will include an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Special Event Code, which is used by IRCC to identify and coordinate event-related applications, but does not offer any advantage to the applicant or increase the likelihood of visa approval. Invitation letters can be issued to all participants listed on the official meeting program (members and non-members). The Annual Meeting program will be available in May 2025.

✓ Keep Your Meeting Registration Receipt: If you are not a presenter or participant on the program, we recommend submitting your Annual Meeting registration receipt and email confirmation as documentation for your visa application instead. 

✓ COVID-19 Travel, Testing, and Borders: Review the latest COVID-19 testing and travel requirements for entry at the Canadian border. As of March 5, 2024, proof of COVID-19 vaccination, pre-board testing, COVID-19 pre-entry and arrival tests; quarantine; and ArriveCAN are NOT required. 

‣ Preparing to Travel to Canada

U.S. Citizens

All U.S. citizens will need a valid passport. A tourist visa is not required for stays less than 180 days. Learn more from the State Department »

*Important Note: Passports are currently taking up to 8 weeks to process, not including mail time. We recommend starting this process as soon as possible. For an extra $60, the application can be expedited, taking up to 3 weeks to process (not including mail time). 

U.S./Canada Current Border Wait Times »
Canadian Border Information »
IRCC Help Centre »

Download a copy of our Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Event Recognition Letter to have on file in case requested at the border.

Canada Border Services Agency Officers may request to examine your electronic devices before entering Canada. Learn more about what to expect and your privacy rights at the border.

All Other International Citizens (excluding U.S.)

International travelers may need a visa and an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).  Please read below for more information on both. Find out if you need a visa and/or eTA »

Visas
In addition to a passport, some international attendees from outside the U.S. may need a visa. APSA can provide a visa invitation letter for all accepted program participants. Invitation letters will include an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Special Event Code, which is used by IRCC to identify and coordinate event-related applications, but does not offer any advantage to the applicant or increase the likelihood of visa approval. Request an APSA Invitation Letter »

The Canadian Government encourages attendees to check processing times to find out how long it takes us to process most applications. Each application is different and takes a different amount of time to process. If you’ve already applied, learn how to check your application status. Attendees are encouraged to apply at least 12 weeks in advance of their departure date to ensure they receive the visa in time for the start of the event. 

After You Apply for a Visa
Book your biometrics collection appointment as soon as you can to avoid processing delays. If you have provided biometrics before, they may still be valid, so be sure to check your biometrics’ status.

Check your application status and review the next steps if your applications is approved or denied. Read more about other potential steps for your visitor visa application.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
All travelers entering Canada from outside the U.S. and Mexico need to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The cost is $7 CAD, and you can apply online here. See below for more information on eTAs.

Additional Resources

Download a copy of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Event Recognition Letter to have on file in case requested at the border.

Canada Border Services Agency Officers may request to examine your electronic devices before entering Canada. Learn more about what to expect and your privacy rights at the border.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Visa-exempt foreign nationals (non-U.S. citizens) traveling to Canada by air should apply in advance for an eTA to fly or transit through a Canadian airport. It costs $7 CAD. If you do need an eTA (or are eligible for one), you must apply online before traveling to Canada by air. It’s best to apply for your eTA before booking your flight to Canada. You can apply for an eTA online here.

What is an Electronic Travel Authorization?

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. An eTA is electronically linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new eTA. With a valid eTA, you can travel to Canada as often as you want for short stays (normally for up to six months at a time). You do not need an eTA for travel within Canada.

An eTA doesn’t guarantee entry to Canada. When you arrive, a border services officer will ask to see your passport and other documents. You must convince the officer that you are eligible for entry into Canada.

To complete the eTA application form, you will need your passport, a credit card, and an email address. You must also answer a few questions. You can only apply and pay for one person at a time.

Make sure you print your receipt right away. You won’t be able to print it or receive a copy of it later. Most applicants get their eTA approval (via an email) within minutes. However, some requests can take several days to process if you’re asked to submit supporting documents.

CAUTION: Travellers who apply for an eTA are advised to be cautious in all dealings with companies that claim to offer help in getting an eTA. These companies are not operating on behalf of the Government of Canada. Many have established websites that charge a fee to provide information and submit eTA applications.

This Government of Canada website is the official place to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization.

‣ Traveling to Canada

Air Travel

Located 8.5 miles (14 km) from the Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the region’s primary airport hub and offers global direct flights from multiple locations. Review international travel times to Vancouver here »

We recommend confirming you have all of your necessary documentation (passport, invitation letter, etc.) prepared in advance. See the CBSA website for more travel tips.

Land Border Crossing

If you are entering Canada by land, we recommend checking border wait times and consulting the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Directory of Offices and Services for the hours of operation at your intended port of entry. Planning ahead can reduce wait times and improve your overall travel experience. Current Border Wait Times »

To help ensure a smoother crossing:

  • Avoid traveling during peak times, such as weekend evenings and the Monday of a holiday weekend.
  • Consider using the least busy port of entry in your area.
  • If using GPS navigation (e.g., Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze), review alternative routes—such as the fastest or shortest options—to determine the most efficient path.

We recommend confirming you have all of your necessary documentation (passport, invitation letter, etc.) prepared in advance. See the CBSA website for more travel tips.

Business Visitor Information

Find out if what you need to bring when you travel to Canada as a business visitor. If you qualify, you can answer a few questions to find out what you may need to apply for, and which documents you’ll need to come to Canada. Before making travel plans, learn about entry requirements by country.

Make sure that you have the following documents on you when you arrive at the border (don’t pack them in your checked luggage!):

If you need a visa, keep in mind a letter of invitation does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. Visa officers assess applications individually, and some visa offices may require a notarized invitation letter. We recommend checking with the Canadian visa office in your country to confirm their specific requirements. Please note that the Special Event Code is used by IRCC to identify and coordinate event-related applications but does not offer any advantage to the applicant in terms of a positive visa outcome. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements to be approved for a visa.

‣ Arriving in Canada

‣ Returning Home

Returning to the U.S.

Returning to the U.S.
When returning to the U.S., you will go through U.S. Customs in Vancouver before departing. Please plan adequate time for customs processing.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Officers may conduct routine searches of personal and work belongings including luggage; bags; cell phones; laptops; and other electronic devices. Learn more about what to expect and your privacy rights at the border.

If you are a foreign national, learn more about the important procedures you need to know about for re-entry into the U.S.

Returning to a Non-U.S. Country

Be sure to check your country’s requirements for returning in advance.