Indigenous travellers

Learn about your rights, accepted documents when travelling and the regulations related to traditional objects and medicines. Before leaving Canada, familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of your destination.

On this page

• Travel and identification documents for Canada-United States cross-border travel
• Discrimination based on spiritual beliefs
• Travelling abroad with traditional Indigenous medicines, sacred and spiritual items
• Returning to Canada with traditional Indigenous medicines, sacred and spiritual items
• If you need help

Travel and identification documents for Canada-United States cross-border travel

When travelling to the United States from Canada, make sure you carry proper identification and travel documents.

A valid passport or NEXUS card (Canada Border Services Agency, CBSA) is required when travelling by air to the United States.

For First Nations travellers

It is recommended to carry a passport when crossing the Canada-U.S. border by land or water.

If you are registered under the Indian Act (Justice Canada), you may be able to use a valid secure status card to cross the Canada-United States border by land or water. However, acceptance of secure status cards is at the discretion of U.S. authorities.

If you plan to use a secure status card to cross the border, it is strongly recommended that you:

• carry a valid passport; and
• use a valid secure status card with a machine-readable zone on the back.

If you are entering the United States to live or work, you may be asked to provide documentation proving your degree of Indian blood, as required under U.S. law.

For information about required documentation and secure status cards, visit Crossing the Canada-U.S. border: Bring your valid passport and secure status card (Indigenous Services Canada).

For Inuit and Métis travellers

Inuit and Métis travellers are advised to use a valid passport or NEXUS card (CBSA) when entering the United States.

Identification cards issued by your Inuit land claims organization or by a Métis government with which you are registered cannot be used to cross the border into the United States.

Indigenous families separated by the Canada-United States border

Temporary measures are available to help reunite Indigenous families separated by the Canada-United States border. These measures allow eligible people to apply to work or study in Canada with some requirements waived, and those already in Canada can also apply to extend their stay for up to three years.

Learn more about temporary measures to reunite families of Indigenous people separated by Canada’s border(Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).

Learn more about travel documents for Indigenous travellers from the United States coming to Canada (CBSA).

Discrimination based on spiritual beliefs

In the event of discrimination abroad, consular officials can explain your options and work with local authorities to help ensure you are treated fairly, in accordance with local laws.

Travelling abroad with traditional Indigenous medicines, sacred and spiritual items

The acceptance of traditional medicines, sacred items and spiritual items varies by country. Before travelling abroad, review the regulations in effect in your destination and consult local authorities or foreign representatives in Canada. Local laws apply even if you are a foreign visitor.

Learn about the regulations at your destination, consult the travel advice and advisories by destination and contact foreign representatives in Canada (Office of Protocol of Canada).

If you are travelling by air from Canada with sacred or spiritual items, inform the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) screening officer if the items:

• must not be touched
• must not go through X-ray screening
• need to be inspected by a person of a specific gender

You may also request that the item be screened in a private area.

Remember to keep fragile or valuable items in your hand luggage as they may be damaged if packed in checked baggage.

Learn more about travelling with sacred and spiritual items (CATSA).

Returning to Canada with traditional Indigenous medicines, sacred and spiritual items

Certain traditional Indigenous medicines and sacred items may be brought into Canada.

If you are returning to Canada with traditional medicines, sacred items or spiritual items, declare them to a Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officer upon arrival.

CBSA border services officers receive training on handling sacred Indigenous bundles and items respectfully. Sacred items such as sage, cedar, sweetgrass, peyote and tobacco may be brought into Canada, subject to applicable laws and import requirements. Ceremonial tobacco exceeding 200 grams may be subject to duties and taxes.

If you need help

Contact the nearest Government of Canda office abroad or the Emergency Watch and Response Centre for consular assistance while you are outside Canada.

Please note the following:

• To obtain assistance, inform consular staff of any harassment or inappropriate treatment you are experiencing by local officials.
• Consular staff can also assist you if you are arrested and detained, ill or injured or facing an international custody problem.
  • For more information, see About consular services.
• All information you provide will remain confidential, in accordance with the Privacy Act (Justice Canada).
  • For more information, see the Consular policy regarding the use and disclosure of personal information.