Nonimmigrant Visas: Exempt from Visa Requirements

Ordinarily, travelers to the United States must have valid visas unless they qualify for travel under the Visa Waiver Program. However, there are some specific exceptions as described below.

Canadian citizens holding valid Canadian passports do not require visas if traveling to the United States unless they are ineligible to receive a visa under U.S. visa law, have previously violated the terms of their immigration status in the United States, or they are traveling for the purpose described below:

  • Foreign government officials (A), officials and employees of international organizations (G) and NATO officials, representatives and employees assigned to the U.S. as needed to facilitate their travel;
  • Treaty traders (E-1) or Treaty investors (E-2);
  • Fiance(e)s of U.S. Citizens(K-1 & K-2);
  • U.S. citizen’s foreign citizen spouse, who is traveling to the U.S. to complete the process of immigration (K-3) & their children(K-4).

Note:  If you do not require a visa you are required to present evidence of your entitlement to status to U.S. immigration at the Port of Entry.  For example, beneficiaries of employment based H, L, O, P, Q, or R petitions, must present the Notice of Action, Form I-797; students and exchange visitors, the I-20A-B or M-N or the DS-2019;  journalists and air and sea crew, a letter from their employer.

Citizens of the British Overseas Territories of Bermuda carrying valid Government of Bermuda passports do not require visas if traveling to the United States for less than 180 days unless they are ineligible to receive a visa under U.S. visa law, have previously violated the terms of their immigration status in the United States, or are traveling for the purpose described below:

  • Foreign government officials (A), officials and employees of international organizations (G);
  • Treaty traders (E-1) or Treaty investors (E-2);
  • Fiance(e)s of U.S. Citizens(K-1 & K-2);
  • U.S. citizen’s foreign citizen spouse, who is traveling to the U.S. to complete the process of immigration (K-3) & their children(K-4).

Note: If you are traveling to the United States from the United Kingdom or Europe, you will require a valid Bermudan passport.  If traveling to the United States from destinations outside of the United Kingdom or Europe please check on the passport requirements before traveling.

In order to be considered a valid passport under U.S. immigration law, Bermuda passports must have the following endorsement “HOLDER POSSESSES BERMUDA STATUS”, or a separate certificate of Bermuda status should be presented with the passport.  In addition, if the bearer does not possess Bermudian status, s/he must have a landing permit, reentry permit, or residential certificate/card for entry.