International Travel FAQ

All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Canada. A tourist visa is not required for stays under 180 days. 

Learn more from the U.S. State Department.

Passports can take up to 8 weeks for standard processing and up to 3 weeks for expedited processing, excluding mail time.

We strongly recommend checking your passport status as soon as possible to allow enough time for renewal or application if needed. We recommend starting the application process as soon as possible:

• Apply for a Passport
• Renew a Passport

Beginning May 7, 2025, you will no longer be able to use a non-REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID to board a domestic flight.

If you do not upgrade your license or state ID, you can use a passport or one of these other acceptable forms of identification to fly.

Learn more about REAL ID.

International travelers may need a visa and an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

In addition to a valid passport, some international attendees outside the U.S. may require a visa.

The Canadian government recommends checking visa processing times in advance, as processing durations vary by application.

If you’ve already applied, you can check your application status for updates.

To avoid delays, attendees are strongly encouraged to apply at least 12 weeks before departure to ensure their visa is processed in time for the event.

• Visitor Visas (Who Can Apply)
• Visa Application

 After you apply for a visa:

• Book your biometrics collection appointment as soon as you can to avoid processing delays.
• If you have provided biometrics before they may still be valid, so be sure to check your biometrics’ status.
• Read more about the visitor visa application, including checking your application status and steps to take if your application is approved or denied.

All travelers entering Canada from outside the United States and Mexico need an eTA.

• Find out about eTAs and how to apply
• What to do after you apply
• Checking your eTA status 

In accordance with the travel information outlined on the Canadian government’s travel website, visa invitation letters must be issued by Canadian companies. Therefore, ADEA cannot issue visa letters for events held in Canada.

Non-U.S.-based registrants are advised to attach a copy of their event registration confirmation email to their visa application. Please be reminded that any attachment of supplemental documents to your visa application does not guarantee that your application will be approved.

We strongly encourage you to adhere to the visa application requirements as outlined on the Canadian government’s travel website.