What Documents Are Needed for Travel From Washington State to Canada?

Documents, such as government-issued photo identification, are used to ensure visitors are legally entitled to enter Canada. Depending on a traveler's citizenship and the purpose of their visit, there are varying entry requirements. When crossing into Canada from Washington either by land, sea or air, documents must be presented to Canada Border Services Agency officers at the point of entry.

U.S. Visitors

• Visitors must carry a passport; an enhanced driver's license or identification card; a NEXUS card where the program is available; a Free and Secure Trade card, where the service is available; or government-issued photo identification with a birth certificate, citizenship/naturalization certificate or Certificate of Indian Status. Legal U.S. residents must also present a green card or permanent resident card. Although a passport is not required to enter Canada, U.S. citizens traveling by air without a NEXUS card or Merchant Mariner document must present a passport when re-entering the U.S. Visas are not required for visits of up to 180 days.

International Visitors

• In addition to a passport, citizens of certain countries may need to provide a visitor's visa. As of March 2011, citizens of 145 countries require visas. Visa are not required fo: citizens of most European Union countries, Australia, New Zealand and certain British overseas territories for stays of up to 180 days. Certain documents are also not accepted, including: non-biometric passports for Poland and Lithuania citizens; Somali-issued passports; non-machine readable Czech Republic passports; temporary South African passports; and provisional Venezuelan passports. Before visiting, travelers should visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website for current visa requirements.

Children

• Children under the age of 18 must have proper Identification, such as a birth certificate, passport, citizenship card, permanent resident card or certificate of Indian Status. Minors traveling alone must present proof of citizenship, such as a passport. Parents with shared custody should carry copies of legal custody documents and a notarized letter from the other parent authorizing travel out of the country. Anyone who is not the parent or guardian of a child should also have notarized, written permission from the parents or guardians. Authorization letters should include contact details for the children's parents or guardians.

Students and Temporary Workers

• Anyone entering Canada for purposes of working or studying on a temporary basis must meet applicable entry requirements. A work permit is required for most temporary jobs in Canada. Anyone wishing to study in the country must apply for a study permit or a temporary resident visa. These documents must be presented at the border. Applications for work and study permits must be made before traveling to Canada and can be requested online at the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

Immigrants

• Travelers intending to immigrate to Canada must present a Canadian immigrant visa and Confirmation of Permanent Residence for each family member traveling with them. A valid passport or other travel document for each family member must also be presented. In addition, two copies of a detailed list of all the personal or household items that are being brought into Canada and any other items arriving at a later date must be provided. Additional documents, such as birth certificates, may also be requested at the border.

Canadians

• Canadian citizens entering the country must present documents to prove their identity. The Government of Canada recommends that citizens use a valid Canadian passport when traveling. Other documents may be presented, including: an enhanced driver's license or identification card; NEXUS card, where the program is available at a border crossing; Free and Secure Trade card, when using FAST lanes when available at a border crossing; a Canadian citizenship card; a Certificate of Indian Status, or a birth certificate in combination with government-issued photo identification

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Spelunking in Washington State

Washington state's impressive wild places range from snow-capped mountains to dripping rainforests and fog-shrouded fjords. Its caves are often overlooked, but they offer distinct opportunities for adventure. In Washington, spelunking, or cave exploration, is accessible to most able-bodied visitors. You'll need a sturdy pair of shoes and a headlamp to explore the state's most memorable caves.

The Lava Tubes

• The Ape Caves of Mount St. Helens are actually two ancient tubes that once were pathways for lava. The caves are named after the Mount St. Helens Apes, an outdoor club whose members explored the area. Visitors can park at the tubes and descend via ladders and stairs into the damp, dark, cold caves. There are no light sources in the caves, so you need to bring a headlamp to see. There is one steep section that requires climbing and is only recommended for the most fit and experienced visitors. However, the caves are otherwise flat once you descend the ladder or stairs. Rangers lead guided cave walks in summer, and the caves are open year-round.

The Ice Caves

• Not hospitable for spelunking within them, the Big Four Ice Caves sit at the bottom of a massive, sheer mountain of the same name in the Cascade Range. As ice falls from the stone above, it collects into a hollowed-out structure through which an icy wind flows year-round. Hikers can easily access the caves after a short, 2.2-mile round trip trail that's mostly flat. Though the deep blue of the caves' interior is tantalizing, visitors should stay away from their openings, especially if the sun is beating down on the mountains above; avalanches have resulted in fatalities from the collected ice melting.

The Limestone Cavern

• Gardner Cave is a limestone cavern of stalactites and stalagmites -- what you typically imagine when you think of a cave. The cavern sits in Crawford State Park in northeast Washington and is the state's third-longest limestone cave, measuring 1,055 feet long. Impressive cave formations, rim stone pools and flow stone greet visitors almost immediately upon entering. Park rangers offer free guided tours.

The Volcanic Boulders

• Boulder Cave is a volcanic formation in central Washington, near the town of Yakima. Millions of years of lava flows deposited boulders over soft soil, which over time was eroded to form a hollow space reaching 400 feet deep. It's a relatively small cave, but its depth makes it a dark spot, so you'll need to bring your own light source. You'll hike on a 2-mile path to reach the entrance; both the hike and the cave are easy to explore, so they're suitable for any traveler. The cave is also home to Pacific western big-eared bats, which hang from the cave's ceiling during daylight hours.

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