travel visa requirements for canada

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Who can apply

On this page, who can get a visa, some people are not allowed to enter canada, minor children travelling to canada.

You must meet some basic requirements to get a visitor visa.

• have a valid travel document , like a passport
• be in good health
• have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
• convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country
• convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
• The amount of money you will need depends on how long you will stay and if you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.

You may also need a medical exam and letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.

Check the list of documents you need based on your situation .

Some people are inadmissible to Canada, which means they are not allowed to enter the country. You can be inadmissible for several reasons, including being involved in:

• criminal activity
• human rights violations
• organized crime

You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons. Find out more about inadmissibility .

Make sure you know what to do if your minor children (children under the age of 18) will be travelling with you, with someone else, or alone.

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A visa is an official document, usually stamped or glued inside a passport, giving permission from a foreign authority for you to enter a country.

Visas are issued by foreign government offices in Canada . Contact your destination’s embassy or consulate in Canada well before you plan to leave on your trip to find out if you need a visa to enter the country or stay for a longer period of time. Requirements, fees and processing times vary, depending on the country and type of visa you need. The most common categories are business, work, student and tourist visas. 

Remember that representatives from the country to which you are travelling need to see your passport before issuing a visa. If you cannot visit the foreign government office in person and must mail your passport, use secure mail services and enclose a stamped, self-addressed return envelope.

Visa requirements

Before your departure, consult the Travel Advice and Advisories for destination-specific visa information. You will almost certainly need a visa if you plan to remain in a foreign country for a longer period (usually more than 90 days).

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for each of their destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Some countries will issue a visa upon your arrival, but it is not a common procedure. Visas must be obtained before leaving Canada. You may be denied entry if you do not have a visa when you arrive in a country that requires one.

You are responsible for ensuring that your passport contains empty visa pages. If the pages of your passport have become filled with visas or entry and exit stamps, apply for a new passport.

Visa renewals or change of status

To extend your stay in a country beyond the period permitted by the visa you currently hold, or to change the status of your visa (for example, from a tourist visa to a work visa), contact your destination’s immigration authorities while you are in the country.

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Do I need a visa to visit Canada?

Most travellers need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through, a Canadian airport.

What you need depends on:

• the type of travel document you will travel with;
• the country that issued your travel document;
• your nationality; and
• how you will travel to Canada.

If you do not have the proper documents, such as an eTA or visa, you may be delayed or prevented from boarding your flight to Canada.

Before you apply , find out what you need to travel to Canada.

New entry requirement now in effect

Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada by air. Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens , and Canadian permanent residents cannot apply for an eTA.

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How-to video

Form and guide

• Application for a temporary resident visa

Glossary term

• Multiple-entry visa
• Single-entry visa
• Temporary resident

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Entry requirements

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Canada’s current rules for the most common types of travel. 

The authorities in Canada set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Canadian High Commission in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Canada.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Canada, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay.

If you’re travelling through another country on your way to or from Canada, check the entry requirements for that country. Many countries will only allow entry if you have at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport. 

Visa requirements

To enter or transit through Canada, most people need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization ( eTA ) – not both.

Check if you need a visa or an eTA online .

You do not need a visa for short visits (normally up to 6 months). You may need an eTA instead.

You do not need an eTA , if you are:

• arriving by land and sea – you must have acceptable travel documents and ID
• a British-Canadian dual national – you must have a valid Canadian passport

See Canada’s entry requirements for full details of eTA and visa requirements.

Contact the Canadian High Commission in the UK if you are unsure about visa requirements or your eligibility to enter the country, for example, if you have a criminal record or have been arrested.

Checks at border control

Canadian border officials may ask you to show a return or onward ticket and proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay, even if you are staying with family or friends.

Visas for permanent residence, study or work

See information on visas for permanent residence, study or work in Canada .  

Transiting through Canada

If you are travelling through Canada (transiting) by air, you must have an eTA or a transit visa.     

If you have questions, contact:

• your airline
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• your nearest Canadian high commission, embassy or consulate

Find out more about transiting Canada .

Visa and eTA scams

Some unauthorised websites charge for submitting visa applications. These websites are not associated with the Canadian government.

You can check your eTA status online with the Canadian government . If it has been 72 hours since you applied, and you have not received confirmation of your application, complete an enquiry form .   

Travelling with children

If a child travels alone or with only one parent or legal guardian, they should carry a letter of consent from the non-travelling parents or guardians. Immigration officers have the right to question children using simple and appropriate language to see if there are any concerns about child abduction.

For more information, check with the Canadian High Commission in the UK or the Canada Border Services Agency .

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Canada guide . 

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Canada . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

The Canadian authorities will confiscate banned food products and you could get a fine. For more information, see importing food, plants or animals to Canada .

If you visit a farm or have contact with wild animals before entering Canada, and plan to visit a farm during your stay, you must declare this on your Customs Declaration Card. For more information, see biosecurity at the Canadian border .

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Visa Requirements for Canada

Whether you need a visa to enter Canada depends on where you come from, how you arrive, and for how long you expect to stay. U.S. passport holders, for instance, may visit visa-free if they enter by land or sea, but if they arrive by plane, an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required   . The same goes for citizens of the UK, Australia, New Zealand , and much of the European Union (EU). People from other countries may require a visa regardless of how long they plan to stay or how they enter the country.

Most may visit Canada for up to six months on the basis of tourism. This means you won't be allowed to work or study at a Canadian institution during your stay. If you're interested in more long-term arrangements, then you will likely require a visa. Canada offers work visas for both sponsored and self-employed workers, study visas to students, a family-sponsorship program for parents and partners of Canadian nationals, and a temporary resident visa, which covers everything from general tourism to giving birth in Canada.

In most cases, visas can be applied for online and must be shown on arrival at the border. If you do require a visa for entry into Canada, you should apply for it four to eight weeks ahead of time.

Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa - TRV)

Temporary resident visa is the term for Canada's general visitor visa, offered for a broad range of travel scenarios. This is most notably the visa given to visa-requiring nationals (i.e. the ones not included on Canada's visa-exempt list ), which allows foreigners to visit for six months. However, there are many variations of it.

Under the temporary resident visa umbrella, you have special iterations such as one for diplomats and government officials, one for organ donors, and one for those wishing to give birth in Canada, therefore automatically making the infant a Canadian citizen.

Visa Fees and Application

The visa requirements vary by individual circumstances.

• The visitor visa is valid for multiple entries and costs $100 (Canadian Dollars) for the visa itself, plus $85 CAD in biometrics fees.
• Be prepared to be called into a collection service point to have your fingerprints and photograph taken.
• To qualify, you must have a passport that's valid for at least six months upon entering Canada, financial statements, and a medical clearance certificate, if applicable.
• Remember to apply for a Canadian visa at least 30 days in advance of your departure or allow eight weeks if mailing it in.
• Visitors must apply for the visa from their country of residence, not upon arrival in Canada.

Electronic Travel Authorization

Those who don't require a visitor visa to enter Canada may require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if traveling by air rather than land or sea   . This document is required for U.S., UK, EU, and Australian citizens. It costs only about $7 CAD and takes a few minutes to fill out the questionnaire online . All you need is your passport, an email address, and a credit card for payment.

Like visitor visas, eTAs are valid for visits of up to six months, but can be used for multiple entries over a five-year period (or until your passport expires—whichever comes first). If your eTA is approved, it will link directly to the QR code on your passport for easy scanning at the border.

Study Permit

Students aged 18 and over who have been accepted into a Canadian school may qualify for a study permit. This visa requires an official acceptance letter from a designated learning institution and proof that the student has adequate funds (for any family members who plan to come, too) for the duration of their stay   . The Canadian government defines this as $10,000 CAD per year (slightly higher in Quebec).

You must also have a clean criminal history and prove that you will return to your home country after your studies are complete. Medical examinations may also be necessary. The study permit itself costs $150 (CAD). You can apply from inside or outside of Canada, either online or via paper application, which should be sent to the Canadian Consulate.

Work Permit

Those who meet Canada's definition of a skilled worker—carpenters, aircraft mechanics, electricians, welders, and the like—may consider the Express Entry Program   , a point-driven system on the Government of Canada website that qualifies foreigners for permanent residency based on their skill set. If permanent residency isn't the primary goal, then a temporary work permit will allow you to work in the country for six months.

Applying for a temporary work permit for Canada is almost as simple as applying for a visitor visa.

• You must already have a job offer from a Canadian employer and you must only work for that employer   .
• You may have to show proof that you are willing to leave Canada after your employment is finished.
• The fee for the visa is $150 CAD.
• It takes about 95 days to process.
• The application can be submitted online .
• If your work lasts longer than six months, you can apply for an extension of the same price (which you must do at least 30 days before your current visa expires).
• The maximum amount of time you can work temporarily in Canada is four years. 

International Experience Canada

Another type of work visa is granted to young people (aged 18 through 35) who want to work temporary jobs while traveling in Canada for up to 24 months, depending on where you're from. The International Experience Canada (IEC) work visa—similar to what's called a working holiday visa in other countries like Australia and New Zealand—is granted to nationals of the UK, the EU, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia and South and Central America. The U.S. does not have an agreement with Canada for this visa.

The IEC is good for either one year or two, and can in some cases be obtained twice. It costs about $153 CAD for the participation fee and another $100 CAD for the open work permit, both required. In order to qualify, travelers must be a citizen of a participating country, meet the age requirement, have a valid passport for the duration of their stay, have the equivalent of $2,500 Canadian, and must not be accompanied by any dependents   . Because the visa is high in demand, applications (which can be filled out online ) are entered into a pool and selected at random.

Family-Sponsorship Program

The Family-Sponsorship Program is a permanent resident program for which spouses, parents, grandparents, and children of Canadian citizens qualify. Sponsors must be either citizens or permanent residents and have enough financial income to provide for the sponsee. The rules depend on your relationship to the Canadian national, but, in general, partners must be married or in a conjugal relationship and have lived together for at least a year. Children of Canadian nationals must be under the age of 22 years old.

Sponsors must first submit an interest to sponsor form to the Government of Canada   , then they will be invited to apply. Chosen applicants must apply within 60 days. The relative must at the same time apply for permanent residence. The sponsor application costs about $75 CAD, the relatives right to permanent residence application costs around $500 CAD, and the processing fee for it is another $75 to $400 CAD.

Transit Visa

A transit visa is a free type of temporary resident visa required by those traveling through Canada without stopping or visiting—even for less than 48 hours. You'll need to apply for this visa from your home country, but all it takes is submitting a simple online application at least 30 days in advance of your travel dates. You must have a valid passport and proof of travel out of Canada to qualify.

Visa Overstays

The penalty for overstaying a visa in Canada may be detainment or a removal order. If the overstay is discovered upon re-entry into Canada, you may be denied and sent back to your origin (in other words, declared inadmissible), but overall, the country is relatively generous. Removal orders are rare, and they fall under three categories: a departure order (removal within 30 days), an exclusion order (the visa holder may not return for a year), and permanent deportation.

Extending Your Visa

Visitors and temporary residents who want to stay in Canada for more than six months can apply for a visa extension while they are in the country, and must do so at least 30 days before the temporary resident visa expires. The visitor visa extension can be applied for online and costs about $100 CAD.

Extensions of long-stay visas are more complex. In order to obtain a six-month extension of a work visa, for instance, candidates need to prove that they're still employed by a verified sponsor   . In order to extend a study visa, proof of enrollment is required   . Each costs around the same as the first-time visa ($100 CAD) and must be applied for at least 30 days ahead of the expiration date. The processing time for a work visa extension is 177 days, and for a study visa extension is 90 days.

Government of Canada . "Entry requirements by country/territory."

Government of Canada . "Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)."

Government of Canada . "Study permit: How to apply."

Government of Canada . "How Express Entry Works."

Government of Canada . "Types of work permits."

Government of Canada . "International Experience Canada: Who can apply."

Government of Canada . "Sponsor your parents and grandparents: Submit the interest to sponsor form."

Government of Canada . "Extend or change the conditions on your work permit: About the process."

Government of Canada . "Extend your study permit: About the process."

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