Passport Requirements
All international visitors to Canada require a passport or other appropriate secure document to enter Canada by land, water or air. Information on entry requirements for American/Canadian citizens between the two countries is below.
For all other international travellers to Canada, a passport is required. Visit the Going To Canada website for full details on entry and visa requirements.
Canadian Visitors to U.S.
With Kingston being so close to the United States border, you may be planning a stateside visit. U.S. law requires all Canadians to present a valid passport to enter the United States by water or land. For more information on entry requirements and passport information, visit the Passport Canada website.
Exchange Rates
Dollars, euros, pesos and pounds – whatever it is, if you bring it, we’ll exchange it. Even with the proliferation of credit and debit cards, it is highly recommended to have local currency on hand. You can obtain Canadian dollars in Kingston by visiting a local bank or the Wellington Foreign Exchange, a specialized currency exchange service in downtown Kingston.
For information on daily currency exchange rates from the Bank of Canada, click here.
U.S. Visitors to Canada
As per the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), U.S. citizens 16 years of age or over who re-enter the United States by land and sea must have a passport or other appropriate secure document like a NEXUS card.
Children age 16 and under will be able to enter with proof of citizenship. Verbal claims of citizenship and identity alone will not be sufficient to establish identity and citizenship for entry into the United States.
WHTI requires anyone, including U.S. citizens, entering or re-entering the United States by air to have a passport or a NEXUS card when used at a NEXUS kiosk at designated airports.
If you are a U.S. citizen, please visit the Department of State website for more information on international travel.
Tax Refunds for International Visitors
Ontario’s harmonized sales tax (HST) may apply to various goods and services you purchase during your stay in Kingston. The HST rate is 13%. The Government of Canada has eliminated the GST/HST Visitor Rebate Program and announced the introduction of the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program. For information on how to qualify for a refund on Canadian taxes you have paid during your visit, visit the Revenue Canada website.
