Crossing the international border from the Canadian side to the American side (or vice versa) of Niagara Falls is no different than crossing any other border between Canada and the United States. This applies even if you’re just walking over the Rainbow Bridge to see the falls from the other side. In each category below, you’ll need one of the documents listed.
Read more: Which side of Niagara Falls should I choose?
There’s a few ways to cross the international border at Niagara Falls. The easiest way to cross the falls is to walk across the Rainbow Bridge. At busy times, the Rainbow Bridge, which is closest to the falls, can have long back-ups at the immigration inspection stops for vehicles, while pedestrians rarely have a delay. The Whirlpool Rapids Bridge (2 miles downriver) is only for holders of Nexus cards, which allow expedited border crossings. The Lewiston-Queenston Bridge (8 miles downriver) links the two of the main highways in the area, US I-190 and Canadian Hwy 405.
US citizens 16 and over
- United States Passport
- United States Passport Card
- Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST or SENTRI)
- Enhanced Driver’s License (a non-standard license issued by Washington State, Minnesota, Michigan, New York and Vermont only)
Canadian citizens 16 and over
- Canadian Passport
- Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST or SENTRI)
- Enhanced Driver’s License (a non-standard license issued by British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec only)
US and Canadian citizens under 16
- One of the above documents, or:
- A certified copy of a Birth Certificate (bearing the raised seal of the issuing office and a statement that it is a certified copy of the original document on file at that office)
- US citizen children only: Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or United States Naturalization Certificate
- Canadian citizen children only: Canadian Citizenship Certificate Card
Citizens of other countries
The same documentation needed for entering Canada and the US at any border crossing.