If you’re crossing the Canada-US border, one of the busiest points of entry is the Canada-Michigan border. Michigan serves as a primary entry point for tourists, commuters, and other individuals travelling from Canada to the United States, with millions crossing its border every year.

Michigan is one of 13 US states sharing a border with Canada. There are 10 overland ports of entry between Ontario and Michigan, including rail lines, ferries, tunnels, and roadways. You can also fly from Canada to Michigan. Here's all you need to know about the Ontario–Michigan section of the Canada-US border. 

Did you know?

• Michigan has 10 international border crossing locations.

• Border crossings from Ontario to Michigan include bridges, tunnels, ferries, rail lines, roads, and airline flights.

• The border between Michigan and the province of Ontario is 1,160km long. 

• Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, connects to a sister city by the same name, Sault Ste. Marie, United States, by the International Bridge.

• With current marijuana legalization laws in Canada, there’s some concern about Canada-US border crossings. Make sure you're informed before crossing the border with any goods.

• Overall, there are 140 Canada-US border crossings. Only 27 of them offer duty-free shopping.

What's required for crossing the Canada-US Border?

Before crossing the border, check that you have the appropriate documentation. Failing to do so can result in a much longer crossing, fines, or prevent you from crossing altogether. If you need to renew your passport, check out our guide. As a general rule, passports should be valid for the duration of your stay and preferably renewed six months before expiry.

If you’re a Canadian citizen crossing the border, you’ll need to show at least one valid document approved by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). These documents include:

• A passport

• A NEXUS card

• A Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card

• An enhanced driver’s licence (EDL) or enhanced identification card (EIC)

• A Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS)

Any visitors aged 15 years or under must also carry a passport, an original or a copy of their birth certificate, or an original Canadian citizenship certificate. 

When returning to Canada, you’ll need to provide your Canadian passport. As of 2016, even those with dual citizenship are required to show their Canadian passport to re-enter the country. If you don't have a passport, you’ll need to provide at least one of the IDs listed above. Also acceptable are a Canadian Emergency Travel Document, a Canadian Temporary Passport, or a certificate of Canadian Citizenship.

Trusted traveller cards, such as NEXUS or FAST, grant access to shorter lanes and reviews. Learn more about how to apply.

Crossing the Canada-US border by land or sea

Several locations allow you to cross over from Canada to Michigan. The most frequented crossings at the Detroit, Michigan-Canada border include the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.

Blue Water Bridge also connects Port Huron, Michigan, to Point Edward, Ontario, and the border crossing at Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge connects the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The Gordie Howe International Bridge is also expected to facilitate major traffic when it opens, scheduled for spring 2026.

When you reach the border checkpoint, the officials will ask you to show identification. They may also ask a few questions, usually regarding any items you have with you, the purpose of your visit, and how long you intend to stay. If you don’t have the appropriate documentation or if there are questions about your eligibility to cross the border, you may be pulled aside for a secondary screening.

Keep in mind that there’s no rule that requires officials to grant you access to the US, and you're not guaranteed entry. You can avoid disputes by ensuring that you have the necessary documents and that they’re on hand when you arrive at the border. Always remain calm and cordial in situations like this to ensure the best possible outcome.

Crossing the Canada-US border by air

You can find flights from all over Canada at affordable prices, and last-minute flights are also common. Michigan is accessible from large airports, such as the Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport. There are also a number of smaller airports that offer flights to Michigan, such as Ottawa International Airport.

If you opt to fly from Canada to Michigan to cross the Canada-US border, you’ll need a passport to do so. Enhanced IDs are no longer valid when flying into the United States.

Although you can go through US Customs and Border Protection when you arrive in Michigan, you can make things easier by skipping this step. If you go through a pre-inspection or preclearance facility in Canada, you don’t have to go through customs when you arrive in the United States. Pre-inspection locations can be found at airports in Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Start planning your trip to Michigan

There’s plenty to explore in Michigan, from the Lake Superior Circle Tour to discovering Detroit. Start planning your trip to Michigan today!

Disclaimer: Information correct as of March 16, 2026, obtained from www.cbsa.gc.ca and www.cbp.gov. Canadians should always check the latest requirements at travel.gc.ca and other relevant official sources before booking a trip.