Information For U.S. Visitors

TRAVELER IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LAND BORDER CROSSINGS IN 2007

No Passport is required: our borders are Safe, Secure and Open.

To assist with your travel plans to our area, we are pleased to provide these details regarding the current travel identification requirements.

U.S. Visitors to Canada:

• Be prepared to verify your CITIZENSHIP (place of birth) and IDENTITY (photo I.D.) with such documents as a Birth Certificate, Passport, Drivers Licence, NEXUS/FAST card, Naturalization Certificate, Visa or Green Card, Baptismal Certificate, Citizenship Card, Records of Landing, or Permanent Resident Card. Visas are not reqiuired.

• If you are traveling with children, you should carry identification for each child. Divorced parents, who share custody, should carry copies of the legal custody documents.

• Travelers under the age of 18 and unaccompanied by a parent need a letter of permission from a parent or guardian.

• Effective January 23, 2007, all U.S. citizens traveling by air to and from Canada are required to have a valid passport to enter the United States.

For additional information on exceptions to the standard requirements as well as dutyfree limits, please refer to:

• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) www.cbsa.gc.ca
• OntarioTravel.net
• U.S. State Department Tips for Travelers to Canada

Weather

Stratford 5-Day Forecast courtesy of CJCS Radio

• See also current weather conditions in Stratford, Ontario from the Weather Network

Maps & Directions

• Read our Maps & Directions page for links to road maps and travel directions from most major U.S. cities.
• Request your best route from your location at OntarioTravel.net
• Find additional maps and routes at Google Maps

Driving in Ontario

When driving in Ontario U.S. travelers need to be aware that posted speed limits are in kilometers per hour. Here is an approximate conversion chart of commonly posted speed limits:

Be aware also of the following regulations:

• Radar detectors are illegal in Ontario.
• Seat belt use is mandatory in Ontario. 

See also the Ontario Ministry of Transport website for additional maps and highway information, including road conditions and highway closures due to construction.

Currency

It is recommended that visitors use Canadian funds in Ontario. Currency exchange offices, conveniently located at most Ontario Travel Information Centres at the U.S./Ontario border, offer a good rate of exchange and are open daily. A good rate of exchange is also offered at the currency exchanges at international airports (Toronto, Ottawa) and at all banks, trust companies and credit unions. Banks are generally open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday; to 6 p.m. Friday. Most trust companies are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and Saturday mornings.

Use this quick and easy Currency Converter at OntarioTravel.net to help you make quick and easy conversions between currencies.

Sales Tax

In Ontario, an 8% provincial sales tax applies to most purchases, and most goods and services are subject to the federal 6% Goods and Services Tax (GST). If you reside outside Canada, you may be eligible to reclaim GST paid on purchases and accommodation during your visit. Expenses must total at least $200 (Canadian), before taxes; each receipt must total at least $50 (Canadian) before taxes. It is imperative that your receipts get stamped before you leave Canada; no refund will be issued otherwise. Visitors can get their receipts stamped at participating duty-free shops for an immediate refund (up to $500 Canadian) or at Canada Customs Offices, for a mail-back refund.

Retail Sales Tax (RST) Refund

In addition, visitors to Ontario are eligible to reclaim the provincial 8% Retail Sales Tax (RST) paid on goods permanently removed from Ontario within 30 days of purchase. To qualify, RST paid on each purchase must total at least $50 (Canadian), before taxes. Please note that a refund is not available for the RST paid on accommodation or on taxable services. For more information about the RST refund and to obtain an application form, call 1-800-263-7965 (within Canada) or 1-905-432-3332 (outside Canada).

More Traveler's Tips can be found at OntarioTravel.net