Directions
to The Shaw

Plan to come early and enjoy NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE!

Plan to come early when you visit the Shaw Festival Theatre and enjoy Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario and the many Niagara attractions.

Line-ups at border crossings can cause hour-long delays, and traffic on the QEW from Toronto is often quite heavy. Please allow at least two hours for your drive from Toronto. For border wait times, visit www.cbsa.gc.ca or contact the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission at 1-800-715-6722 (press option 2) for traffic conditions on bridges at Queenston – Lewiston, Niagara Falls and Buffalo – Fort Erie, Peace Bridge.

TRAVELER identification requirements for border crossings in 2009

Welcome to our cross-border region! To assist with your travel plans to our area, we are pleased to provide these details regarding the current travel identification requirements.

As of June 1, 2009, travelers will be required to present valid WHTI-compliant document when entering the United States by land or water. For an easy reference guide to acceptable forms of identification into the United States, click here.

Visit the U.S. Department of State website frequently for international travel updates at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.

For detailed information about obtaining or renewing your U.S. passport, visit the U.S. Department of State, Passport Services Office, or access U.S. passport application services from the United States Postal Service.

The NEXUS program is limited to citizens of Canada and the United States, lawful permanent residents of the United States and permanent residents of Canada.  For information on how to apply visit U.S. Customs and Border Protection Program Description.

For detailed information on entry requirements and what you are permitted to bring into Canada, visit the Canada International website.

FAQ

   1. Do I need a passport to enter Canada?
   2. What are the requirements for children entering Canada?
   3. New U.S. passport rules will come into effect soon. Will these rules affect my trip to Canada?
   4. Where can American travellers get a U.S. passport?

1. Do I need a passport to enter Canada?

A new American law, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), requires anyone, including U.S. citizens, entering or re-entering the United States by air, land and sea to have a valid WHTI-compliant document such as a passport or a NEXUS card when used at a NEXUS kiosk at designated airports.

International visitors to Canada that are not U.S. citizens must carry a valid passport and visa (if required).  Citizens from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Mexico, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and others do not require a visa to enter Canada. Visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada online for a complete listing.

2. What are the requirements for children entering Canada?

Beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. & Canadian citizens under the age of 16, or under the age of 19 if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group, may present a birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Canadian Citizenship Card, or a naturalization certificate. Birth certificates can be an original, photocopy, or certified copy.

Divorced parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of the legal custody documents. Adults who are not parents or guardians must have written permission from the parents or guardians to accompany the children. When travelling with a group of vehicles, parents or guardians should travel in the same vehicle as the children for border crossing.

Customs officers are often looking for missing children and may ask questions about the children who are travelling with you.

3. New U.S. passport rules come into effect June 1, 2009. Will these rules affect my trip to Canada?

Yes.  A new American law, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), requires anyone, including U.S. citizens and permanent residents, leaving the country or returning to the United States by air, land or sea to have proper, acceptable identification such as a passport or a NEXUS card when used at a NEXUS kiosk at designated airports.
 
Visit the U.S. Department of State website frequently for international travel updates at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.

4. Where can American travellers get a U.S. passport?

First-time passport applicants need to apply in person to one of 7,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States. Applicants should bring two regulation size photographs of themselves, proof of U.S. citizenship and a valid form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license.

U.S. passport renewals can be done by mail if the recent passport is available to submit, is not damaged, was issued within the past 15 years and you were over age 16 when it was issued.  Applicants must either still have the same last name, or can show legal proof of name change.

For detailed information about obtaining or renewing your U.S. passport, visit the U.S. Department of State, Passport Services Office, or access U.S. passport application services from the United States Postal Service.

Citizens of other countries
Must have a valid passport (and may also require a visitor’s Visa).

For additional information, exceptions to the standard requirements as well as duty-free limits, please refer to:

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) www.cbsa.gc.ca
or
U.S. Department of State www.travel.state.gov