If you are thinking of taking a trip to North America, it is important that you inform yourself about the borders that you will have to cross to visit Mexico, the United States and Canada, and the conditions that these countries require to be able to enter them legally, since on many occasions they do not an American visa is enough. In this article, we talk about the existing border limits and the documents needed to cross them.

Below you have an index with all the points that we are going to deal with in this article.

Canada-United States Border

The border between Canada and the United States is the longest in the world, being almost 8.900 km long. In it we find the San Lorenzo River, which functions as a natural limit. If you travel by car or motorcycle, and want to go from one country to another, you will have to go through a border crossing.



There are them along the entire border, although some of the most famous are the following:

  • The Arch of Peace, between Washington (USA) and Columbia (Canada)
  • All the Cataract Niagara, east of the territory
  • The Great Lakes, around Michigan (USA) and Ontario (Canada)

In the following image you can see the extension of the United States (blue) and Canada (green), as well as the border they have in common:

Political map of the United States and Canada

Contrary to what some people think, No. you can travel from the United States to Canada with an American visa. Depending on the country you are from, you may also need to apply for a Canadian tourist visa. You can find out which countries are exempt from it in the following article: Tips, documentation and requirements to travel to Canada.

Si vas a travel by airplane to Canada and you come from a visa-free country, you will need to purchase an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization), a document that can be obtained online.

Therefore, if you are going to visit the Cataract of Niagara and you only have the permission of one of the two countries, you will not be able to cross the border, you must observe this natural resource from the State in which you are.

Niagara Falls: a natural border between the US and Canada

Remember that if you need any type of visa, these must be requested in advance of the start of the trip, since they can take several weeks to be granted and sent.

Traveling with children

Both to go from the United States to Canada, and vice versa, minors cannot go alone, but must cross the border accompanied by a person over 18 years of age.

In addition, babies or children who go with one or neither of their parents, must have a authorization parent or guardian who is not present. Likewise, there are two special cases:

  • If one of the parents is deceased, it is advisable to bring the death certificate.
  • If the minor is custody of one of the parents, you must present the legal custody document.
Traveling with minors in North America

United States-Mexico border

The border between the United States and Mexico extends from Tijuana (Mexico) and Imperial Beach (USA), and ends in Matamoros (Mexico) and Cameron (USA). It travels a total of 3.141 kilometers.

It is on this border that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, intends to build a wall to prevent people from Mexico from illegally crossing into his country. However, since 1994, there is already a security fence.

If you are going to go from Mexico to the United States, you must have all the documents that the latter requests from its visitors. You can find out about this aspect in the following article: Requirements to travel to the United States: visa and apply for ESTA.



However, you can go to Mexico with a American visa (from the United States), even if you don't have a Mexican visa. In this case, the trip cannot be for business reasons and is limited to six months.

Border between San Diego (USA) and Tijuana (Mexico)

Remember that, whether you go by land or By plane, to enter this country you must obtain an FMM (Multiple Immigration Form). In this article we tell you all about her: The FMM to travel to Mexico: what it is, where to get it and how to pay for it.

As for minors who want to enter Mexico, as in the United States and Canada, they must have permission from their parents who are not traveling with them.

Recommended circuits

There are many people who decide to do a tour or package tour through some of the most prominent areas of North America. Some even do it during the honeymoon.

If you have a US visa, you can organise a travel by Eastern Triangle, which comprises New York, the Niagara Falls and Washington DC Also, remember that Hawaii, despite being located in the Pacific, is part of the United States.

On the other hand, you can also organize a route through the West Coast From the United States to know California and incidentally to be able to cross to a city in Mexico, for example to Tijuana.

Las Vegas: a unique city on the West Coast of the United States

Likewise, as long as you have the documentation required by both States, a fairly popular circuit is the one that includes the northern part of the United States and the Canadian south, where Toronto is located, a city that is part of English Canada (in which it is spoken English).

Questions from users

Can you cross the border from Mexico to the United States illegally?

The border between Mexico and the United States is constantly monitored and, in addition, it is a crime for which it can be punished and a dangerous activity.

Is there a tunnel on the border between Mexico and the United States?

Yes, several tunnels have been discovered that cross the border and were used to introduce drugs into the United States, so they are illegal connections.

Is Mexico going to pay for Donald Trump's wall?

That was the intention of US President Donald Trump, although, initially, it will be paid with financial funds from the United States.

By: Eva Gómez
Updated on 03/03/2017

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