Canada visa requirements: everything you need to know

Canada is one of the world’s most visited countries, and its entry system is designed to be straightforward for most international travellers. The key division is between visitors who need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) — a simple online application taking minutes — and those who need a full Visitor Visa, which requires more documentation and processing time. A small number of nationalities (most importantly, Americans) need neither.

This guide explains exactly what you need based on your nationality, what the requirements are, how much it costs, and how long processing takes. Getting this right before you book flights saves significant hassle and potential disappointment at the border.

The three categories of entry

Canada divides entry requirements into three categories:

1. No requirement: US citizens and US permanent residents (Green Card holders) can enter Canada with a valid passport (or, for US citizens arriving by land or sea, sometimes other documentation). No eTA, no visa required.

2. Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): Citizens of most visa-exempt countries flying into Canada need an eTA. This includes the UK, EU member states, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and many others. An eTA costs CAD $7, is applied for online, and is typically approved within minutes (though it can take up to 72 hours).

3. Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa): Citizens of countries not on the visa-exempt list need a full Visitor Visa. This includes citizens of India, China, the Philippines, Mexico (with some exceptions), and many other countries. The fee is CAD $100 per person, and processing times vary from days to weeks.

Who needs an eTA: the visa-exempt list

Citizens of the following countries need an eTA to fly into Canada (not required if arriving by land or sea):

Europe: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom (British citizens and British nationals with the right of abode).

Asia-Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brunei, Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Taiwan (holders of passports issued by Taiwan that include an identity card number).

Americas: Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Chile, Costa Rica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago.

Other: Papua New Guinea, San Marino, Vatican City.

Note: If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States (Green Card holder) and are flying to Canada, you also need an eTA regardless of your nationality — unless you are a citizen of a country that is itself visa-exempt (in which case you still need the eTA for air travel).

How to apply for an eTA

The eTA application is made through the official Government of Canada website at canada.ca/eTA. Be cautious of third-party websites that charge additional fees to submit the same application — the official government website is the only authorised source and charges exactly CAD $7.

What you need:

• Valid passport (the eTA is linked to your passport number — if you renew your passport, you need a new eTA)
• Credit or debit card for the CAD $7 fee
• Email address
• About 5 minutes

Processing time: Most eTAs are approved within minutes and the approval is emailed to you. In some cases — typically when there are questions about previous travel history or name matches with security databases — it can take up to 72 hours. Apply at least a few days before your departure to be safe.

Validity: An approved eTA is valid for 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Once you have one, you do not need to reapply for subsequent trips to Canada during that period.

What an eTA allows: An eTA allows you to visit Canada for up to 6 months as a tourist. You do not need to specify dates of travel or an itinerary on the application. At the border, a Canada Border Services Agency officer determines the actual length of your authorised stay — it is typically the standard 6 months but can be shorter if the officer has concerns.

Who needs a Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)

Citizens of countries not on the eTA-exempt list require a full Visitor Visa (officially called a Temporary Resident Visa or TRV). Major nationalities that currently require a visitor visa include:

• India
• China (People’s Republic)
• Philippines
• Pakistan
• Nigeria
• Egypt
• Iran
• Iraq
• Morocco
• Vietnam
• Ukraine (some Ukrainians may now qualify for expedited processing — check current rules)

This list is not exhaustive and the status of individual nationalities can change. Always check the current official requirements on the Government of Canada immigration website (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship) before planning your trip.

How to apply for a Visitor Visa

The Visitor Visa application is more involved than the eTA. Most applicants apply online through the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) portal at ircc.canada.ca.

Documents typically required:

• Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your planned stay
• Completed application forms (IMM 5257 and IMM 5645 for family information)
• Two passport photos meeting Government of Canada specifications
• Proof of financial support (bank statements, employment letter, or other evidence you can support yourself during your visit)
• Evidence of ties to your home country (employment, property ownership, family — demonstrating you intend to return)
• Travel history documentation if available
• Travel itinerary or hotel bookings (helpful but not always required)
• Application fee: CAD $100 per adult

Biometrics: Most Visitor Visa applicants are required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a designated collection service point. The biometric fee is CAD $85 per person. Once you provide biometrics, they are valid for 10 years.

Processing times: Processing times vary significantly by country of application and current IRCC workloads. Check the IRCC website for current processing time estimates for applications from your country — they range from a few days to several months. Apply well in advance of your planned travel date.

US citizens: entry requirements

US citizens are the simplest case: you need only a valid US passport to enter Canada by air, land, or sea. No eTA, no visa, no prior application required. NEXUS cardholders (the joint US-Canada trusted traveller program) can use dedicated lanes at land border crossings and certain airports.

At the border, you will typically be asked about the purpose of your visit, how long you plan to stay, and whether you are bringing goods or money above the duty-free threshold. Standard stays are approved for 6 months.

Note: US citizens with criminal records — including DUI convictions — can be refused entry to Canada. Canada and the US share criminal records information, and Canadian border officers can access US criminal history. If you have a criminal record, research the implications before travelling.

British citizens

UK citizens holding British passports need an eTA to fly to Canada. Apply via the official canada.ca/eTA website (CAD $7). British citizens arriving by land from the US do not need an eTA (only a valid passport), though this is a less common route.

Australian and New Zealand citizens

Both Australia and New Zealand are on the visa-exempt list. Australians and New Zealanders flying to Canada need an eTA (CAD $7, applied online). No visa required for tourist visits up to 6 months.

European Union citizens

All EU member state citizens are visa-exempt and need only an eTA for air travel to Canada. EU citizens travelling by land from the US (unusual but possible) do not need an eTA.

Dual citizens

If you hold citizenship of both a visa-required country and a visa-exempt country, you can travel to Canada using your visa-exempt passport and apply for an eTA accordingly. Canada considers you a citizen of the country whose passport you use to enter.

Arriving at the Canadian border

Regardless of whether you have an eTA or a visitor visa, you will clear Canadian customs and immigration on arrival. This involves a primary inspection by a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer and, in some cases, secondary screening.

What to expect:

• Declaration card (or kiosk-based declaration at major airports) declaring goods and currency you are bringing
• Questions about purpose of visit, duration, where you are staying
• Possible secondary inspection if additional questions arise

What you can bring: Most personal belongings for personal use are fine. Declare food products (required), more than CAD $10,000 in currency (required), gifts, and goods purchased abroad. Tobacco and alcohol have quantity limits. Cannabis is legal in Canada but cannot be brought across the border under any circumstances.

Entry denial: Canada can refuse entry for various reasons: criminal record, previous immigration violations, misrepresentation on visa applications, suspected intent to work without authorisation, or health grounds. Having the proper visa or eTA does not guarantee entry — the border officer makes the final decision.

Working in Canada

A tourist visa or eTA authorises visits only, not work. Working in Canada as a foreign national requires a separate work permit. The most common pathways are:

• Working Holiday Visa (IEC): Available to citizens of numerous countries (including UK, Australia, Ireland, France, Germany, and others) under the International Experience Canada program. Allows temporary work in Canada for 1-2 years. Apply through the IRCC portal; there is a lottery system for some nationalities.
• Employer-specific work permit: Requires a Canadian employer to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) in most cases.
• Express Entry: Canada’s main pathway for skilled workers seeking permanent residence.

Studying in Canada

Study permits are required if you are enrolled in a program lasting more than 6 months at a Canadian educational institution. Short-term language courses under 6 months may be covered by a tourist visa or eTA. Apply for a study permit through the IRCC portal.

Practical planning tips

Apply early: Even for eTA, apply days before you travel rather than at the last minute. For Visitor Visas, weeks or months of lead time may be needed.

Use official government sources: The Government of Canada’s immigration website (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship) is the definitive source. Third-party immigration sites can charge unnecessary fees and sometimes provide outdated information.

Check your passport expiry: Your passport should be valid for the duration of your planned stay. Many travellers recommend at least 6 months of validity beyond your travel dates, though Canada’s official requirement is only that it be valid for your stay.

Photograph requirements for visa: Canada has specific photo requirements (35mm x 45mm, white background, specific composition) that must be met exactly. Many pharmacies in Canada and internationally offer compliant photos.

For more on planning your Canada trip, see our best time to visit guide and our first-time visitors guide. Once you have your visa sorted, start with our British Columbia or Ontario destination guides to begin planning your itinerary.

Frequently asked questions about Canada visa requirements: everything you need to know

How long does an eTA take to get approved?

Most eTAs are approved within minutes of application. The approval notice is sent by email to the address provided in the application. In some cases — name-matching issues, previous travel complications, or peak application periods — approval can take up to 72 hours. Apply at least several days before your travel date to be safe.

Can I work in Canada on a tourist visa or eTA?

No. Tourist status (whether via eTA or Visitor Visa) does not authorise employment in Canada. Working without proper authorisation can result in removal from Canada and future entry bans. The International Experience Canada (Working Holiday) program is the main pathway for young travellers from eligible countries who want to work legally.

My Canadian eTA was denied — what do I do?

If your eTA is denied, you will need to apply for a Visitor Visa instead. The denial of an eTA does not necessarily mean you cannot visit Canada. Apply for the full Temporary Resident Visa and be prepared to provide supporting documentation demonstrating your travel intentions and ties to your home country.

Do children need their own eTA or visa?

Yes. Every traveller, including infants and children, needs their own eTA or visa. For Visitor Visa applications, children are included on the parent’s application forms (IMM 5645) but need their own application form and fee.

I have a DUI conviction. Can I enter Canada?

Canada considers many DUI convictions to constitute “criminal inadmissibility” and can deny entry to travellers with such convictions. This is a genuinely complicated area and applies even to US citizens, who otherwise have no visa requirements. Options include applying for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or, if enough time has passed, a Criminal Rehabilitation application. Consult an immigration lawyer for specific situations.

My passport is from a visa-required country but I have permanent residence in a visa-exempt country. What do I need?

This depends on the specific countries involved. US permanent residents (Green Card holders) need an eTA regardless of their passport nationality if flying to Canada. Permanent residents of other countries should check the specific rules for their situation on the IRCC website, as the rules vary.

How long can I stay in Canada on a tourist visit?

The standard maximum is 6 months. The actual length of your authorised stay is determined by the Canada Border Services Agency officer when you arrive — they stamp your passport with the last day you are authorised to stay. If no stamp is given, the default is 6 months from the day of entry. Overstaying your authorised period can result in removal and future entry bans.