Yes having to have a visa just to go to Canada now basically 'closes the border' for the average individual who won't or can't cough up the cash for it. I grew up on the US Canadian border, and it used to be commonplace to go across the river for a beer. Not any more. (except for those with boats)

That sounded unbelievable, so I checked the Canadian Citizenship and Immigration website, and found that US citizens do not need a visa to go to Canada. Perhaps you meant passport? I've heard that a lot of Americans don't have one.

My old one expired, I'm just waiting for the backlog to be worked down before applying for a new one. Canada? We may soon need one to get into the next county at the rate things are going!

America is large enough to travel quite a bit without a passport. I managed to visit Jamaica, Hawaii, St Croix, Mexico and Canada before needing passports to visit Europe. I probably couldn't do that today.

That said, I worked with fellows who had never traveled outside Pennsylvania, and never even made it to Pittsburgh or Philly.

Jussi: It is my understanding that the requirement comes from the US government, not Canadian, i.e. as a US citizen you will have trouble getting back into your own country. They might have delayed this change, but it is the US government behind the increased bureaucracy.

yeppers. the USA wants passports for people flying in from canada as of jan 2007. As of jan 2008 they want them for people driving across the boarder.

The same goes for USA citizens going out and coming back in.

pretty much a police state now. im heading down to california to visit my friend. it's not going to be easy going, i have to have a bunch of ridiculous stuff together just to prove im not stealing yeeer jeebs, when im travelling for pleasure and some school shopping.

Yes it is delayed again. The passport requirement was first due to phase in at the beginning of 07, but delayed one year by popular demand.

At present you must have either a passport or birth certificate (copies don't count) to get back into the U.S. from Canada or Mexico.

I recently applied for a passport only to have the State Department take posession of my Birth Certificate during the process. The copy of the application form plus receipt are good to get me back into the country until I get my passport. Assuming I have been a good boy and they give me a passport, lol. Oh yea, and my cert back...

As an aside, I have crossed into Canada and back around 200 or so times in the last year and been asked for proof of citizenship exactly 2 times so far by a U.S. customs agent.

Same goes for Canadian customs, 2 times, there is one lady agent that has taken it upon herself to be sure we can get back into the U.S. Never mind that by the time you get to the Canadian customs booths you have left the U.S. anyway, lol.

Silly!

You only need a passport if your FLYING back into the US. You can still drive and boat in just like you always could, at least until 2009...

You must provide proof of citizenship if asked no matter how you are traveling when re-entering the U.S.. In 2009 you will need a passport, unless postponed again.