Can I take my niece to Canada for vacation?

As the sponsor for your niece's trip, you will need to provide evidence of your ability to financially support her during her visit, such as bank statements and proof of income. It is not necessary for her parents to provide any financial documentation, although they may need to provide consent for her to travel.



Yes, you can take your niece to Canada for a vacation in 2026, but you must be prepared with specific documentation to avoid issues with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Because you are not the child's legal guardian, you are required to carry a Consent Letter (also known as a Letter of Authorization) signed by both of the child's parents or their legal guardians. This letter should include their full contact information, the dates of the trip, your contact information while in Canada, and a clear statement granting you permission to travel with her and make medical decisions if necessary. In 2026, it is highly recommended to have this letter notarized to ensure its validity. Additionally, your niece must have her own valid passport (or a NEXUS card if applicable). Without these documents, border officials may deny entry to prevent international child abduction, which is a high-priority safety concern for both the United States and Canada.

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For U.S. citizens, a passport or visa is not required. Instead, a birth certificate and one photo identification card may be used; however, a photo identification card by itself is not enough. For permanent residents of the United States, “Green Cards” may be used in lieu of their passports.

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If you're traveling with someone else's child and the parents are not with you, be prepared to show documentation that you have permission to travel together. There's no official consent form, so you'll need to make one yourself.

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There is no Canadian requirement to have the consent letter witnessed by a notary public. However we strongly recommend doing so, as border officials will be less likely to question the authenticity of the letter.

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U.S. citizen children traveling abroad You may also need a letter of permission from the other parent for your child to travel. If your child travels alone, depending on the country, they may be required to present a notarized letter from both parents or their legal guardian.

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The letter should say I acknowledge that my son/daughter is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission. If one parent has sole custody of the child, a copy of the custody document can take the place of the other parent's letter.

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Most U.S. airlines will permit children who have reached their fifth birthday to travel unaccompanied. Kids ages 5 through 11 who are flying alone must usually travel pursuant to special “unaccompanied minor” procedures. On some airlines, these procedures are required for unaccompanied children as old as 14.

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When traveling internationally, it's a good idea to get a consent letter from the parents indicating that you have their permission to travel with your grandchildren. Most likely no one will ask you for it, but you'll be glad to have a hard copy on you in a scenario where you can't get in touch with them.

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