One of the best things about the Upper Peninsula is how close you are to Canada. Sault Ste. Marie sits right on the border. The International Bridge connects you to the Canadian side in minutes. And from there, you’re looking at Ontario’s wilderness, Lake Superior Provincial Park, and some of the best fishing and camping north of the border.
But “minutes away” only applies if your documents are in order. Every year, travelers show up at the Sault Ste. Marie border crossing expecting a wave-through and get turned back because something’s wrong with their passport, their photo, or their paperwork.
What You Actually Need to Cross
Since June 2009, US citizens need one of the following to enter Canada by land:
- US Passport — the gold standard. Works everywhere.
- US Passport Card — valid for land and sea crossings to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean only. Not valid for air travel.
- Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) — Michigan offers these. It’s a REAL ID-compliant license that also serves as a border crossing document. Available through the Michigan Secretary of State for an extra $25.
- NEXUS Card — for frequent crossers. Pre-approved by both US and Canadian governments. Gets you through the fast lane.
If you don’t have any of these, you’re not crossing. A regular driver’s license hasn’t been enough since 2009, though you’d be surprised how many people still try.
The Passport Photo Problem
Here’s where UP residents run into trouble. If you need a passport or passport card and you live in, say, Marquette or Munising, your options for getting a compliant photo taken are limited. The nearest photo studio might be an hour’s drive. Walgreens and CVS locations are sparse once you’re north of the bridge.
The US passport photo requirements are specific: 2×2 inches, white background, taken within the last 6 months, no glasses, neutral expression. The State Department’s automated system rejects photos that are even slightly off — wrong head size, uneven lighting, shadows behind the head.
For people in remote parts of the UP, the simplest solution is taking the photo at home. A smartphone, a white wall or bedsheet, and natural light from a window is all you need. The tricky part isn’t taking the photo — it’s making sure it meets the exact technical specifications.
Online tools that handle US passport photos for free take your selfie and automatically adjust the crop, background, and dimensions to State Department specs. Upload, download, print at any pharmacy or even at home. No 90-minute round trip to the nearest studio.
Passport Card vs. Full Passport
For UP residents who mostly cross into Ontario and aren’t planning to fly internationally, the passport card is worth considering:
- Cost: $65 (vs. $165 for a full passport book)
- Size: Wallet-sized. Fits in your wallet like a driver’s license.
- Validity: 10 years for adults, same as a passport book.
- Limitation: Land and sea only. You cannot fly to Canada with a passport card — only drive or take a ferry.
If you ever plan to fly anywhere international, get the full passport. But for weekend trips to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, or fishing on the Canadian side of Lake Superior, the card does the job at less than half the price.
Both require the same photo specifications — so whether you’re applying for the card or the book, you need a compliant 2×2 inch photo.
Enhanced Driver’s License: The Michigan Advantage
Michigan is one of only a handful of states that offer an Enhanced Driver’s License. For an extra $25 on top of your regular license renewal, you get a document that works as both a REAL ID and a land/sea border crossing card.
The catch: you need to apply in person at a Secretary of State office, and you need to bring proof of US citizenship (birth certificate or passport), proof of Michigan residency, and proof of Social Security number. The photo is taken at the office — no need to bring your own.
For UP residents who cross into Canada regularly but don’t need a passport for air travel, this is arguably the best deal available.
Canadian eTA: Not for Land Crossings
You might have heard about Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). This is required for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying into Canada. As a US citizen, you do not need an eTA — not for flying, not for driving, not for anything. Your passport or passport card is sufficient.
However, if you’re traveling with someone who’s not a US citizen — say, a spouse or friend from a visa-exempt country (UK, Australia, Germany, etc.) — they will need an eTA if flying into Canada. The eTA application requires a passport photo that meets specific requirements, which vary by the traveler’s nationality.
Before You Head to the Bridge
- ✅ Check that your passport (or passport card, or EDL) is valid and not expiring within 6 months
- ✅ If applying for a new passport, start at least 8 weeks before your trip (current processing times are 6-8 weeks)
- ✅ Have your photo ready before you apply — it’s the most common delay
- ✅ Know what you’re bringing back — US Customs allows $800 in duty-free goods per person
- ✅ Check CBSA wait times at the Sault Ste. Marie bridge before you leave (cbsa-asfc.gc.ca)
The Upper Peninsula’s proximity to Canada is one of its best features. A little paperwork in advance, and that international border becomes just another bridge to cross.
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