Canada at a glance
| Visit with an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | Visa-exempt: no visa or ESTA needed to visit |
| E-1 treaty trader visa | Available |
| E-2 treaty investor visa | Available |
| TN professional status (USMCA) | Available |
| Own line in the Visa Bulletin | No: worldwide line |
| Green card lottery (last published list, DV-2026) | Not eligible |
| Entry restrictions | None |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Not designated |
| Where visas are processed | U.S. Embassy Ottawa and Consulates in Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto and Vancouver. Immigrant visas for Canada are processed only in Montreal. |
Green card lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of mid-October 2026. A federal court ordered the State Department to open it, and that order may be appealed.
What is specific to Canada right now
- Canadian citizens generally need no visa and no ESTA to visit; Canada is visa-exempt separately from the Visa Waiver Program.
- TN status for Canadian professionals under USMCA is available and can often be requested at a port of entry or preclearance.
- Canada was not eligible for the DV-2026 green card lottery.
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from Canada
TN visa (USMCA)Professional work status for Canadian and Mexican citizensFamily petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsEB-2 (with PERM)Employer green card for advanced-degree or exceptional-ability jobsL-1 visaTransfer to a U.S. office of your multinational employerE-2 investor visaTreaty investor visa to run a business you invest inMarriage green cardGreen card through your U.S. citizen or resident spouse
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can people from Canada visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
Canadian citizens generally need neither a visa nor an ESTA to visit. Canada is visa-exempt separately from the Visa Waiver Program.
Can people from Canada get an E-2 investor visa?
Yes. Canada has an E-2 treaty with the United States, so its nationals can qualify for the E-2 treaty investor visa by making a substantial investment in a U.S. business they will run.
Can people from Canada enter the green card lottery?
Canada was not eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, and someone born in Canada may still qualify through a spouse born in an eligible country.
Where do people from Canada have their visa interview?
U.S. Embassy Ottawa and Consulates in Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto and Vancouver. Immigrant visas for Canada are processed only in Montreal.
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in Canada?
Yes. MyUSVisa works online: you tell your story from anywhere, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys review it and send proposals, and you choose. This works before you travel or once you are already in the United States.
More countries in the Americas
Last checked by the MyUSVisa team and counsel in October 2026. Country rules change often, especially entry restrictions, TPS and parole programs. Always verify on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov, or ask your attorney.
MyUSVisa is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.