Do you need a passport for a student trip to Quebec, Canada?
Planning a Cross-Border School Trip with Kids? Here’s What You Need to Know
Planning a school trip to Quebec City Montreal or Toronto means you have to cross the US-Canada border with a group of kids. It can be exciting and navigating the documentation requirements can be a bit tricky. Fear not! This blog post will guide you through everything you need to know about crossing the border by land or sea as a group of US or Canadian citizens under 19.
Good news for younger travelers: Children under 16 only need to present an original or copy of their birth certificate or a Canadian Citizenship Card to enter the neighboring country.
Traveling as a group (16-18 year olds)?
Here’s where things get interesting:
- Passport: If you’re not traveling with a school, religious group, cultural organization, or sports team, everyone aged 16-18 will need a valid passport.
- Group Documentation: For organized group trips, children aged 16-18 can use their birth certificate or Citizenship Card along with a special group letter on your organization’s letterhead. This letter should include:
- The name of the group and supervising adult
- A list of each child on the trip, including:
- Their address, phone number, and date of birth
- Their place of birth
- The name of at least one parent or legal guardian
- A signed statement from the supervisor confirming they have obtained parental consent for each child
- A consent letter will always be recommended to ensure a smooth crossing. (see link below)
Important Reminders:
- Adults accompanying the group (teachers, parents, chaperones) must have a valid passport.
- This information applies only to land and sea travel. Air travel requires a passport for everyone, regardless of age or travel group.
- Before your trip, always check with the official websites of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) for the latest updates on border crossing requirements. These websites are also great resources for learning more about passport applications and other travel documents.
- This was published in February 2024 and so make sure to check the sites below to make no changes have occured.
Here are some helpful links to get you started:
- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP): https://www.cbp.gov/travel
- Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA): https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html
- US Passports: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html
- WHTI: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative
- Canada : https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-states
- Visit Canada Travel Info
- Documentation link Canadian Government https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/declare-eng.html#_s2
- Consent Letter https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children/consent-letter
So there is the answer to “Do you need a passport for a student trip to Quebec, Canada?” Keep in mind these regulations can change and so it is important to make sure and review before traveling. With a little preparation and the right documentation, your cross-border school trip is sure to be a memorable experience for everyone involved!
