The USA and Canada operate separate systems. Check the required travel document and record the departure deadline granted for each individual entry.
USA: Visa Waiver and ESTA
Eligible nationals may use the Visa Waiver Program for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days. A valid ESTA is generally required before air or sea travel, but it does not guarantee admission.
USA: check the I-94
The electronic I-94 record shows your admitted status and the date by which you must depart. Do not use the ESTA expiry date as your stay deadline.
Canada: eTA or visitor visa
The required document depends on nationality, passport and mode of travel. An eTA is linked to the passport and does not itself authorise work or study.
Canada: granted duration
Most visitors may normally stay for up to six months, but a border officer can set another period. A passport entry or Visitor Record may state the controlling date.
What to check
- Does the authorisation match your passport and travel purpose?
- Which departure date was granted on this entry?
- Are side trips to neighbouring countries relevant to the same period?
- Have all actual entry and exit dates been recorded?