Canada Visa Requirements Guide
Three doors: pick the right one
- US citizens: Just bring a valid US passport. No eTA, no visa. (US permanent residents need an eTA.)
- Visa-exempt nationalities (UK, EU, Australia, Japan, and others): You need an eTA for air travel to Canada. It costs a few dollars, applied online in minutes, and is usually approved quickly — but apply before booking non-refundable travel.
- Everyone else: You need a visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa). Apply online well in advance; processing varies widely by country, from weeks to months.
eTA Details
- Apply on the official IRCC website only — copycat sites overcharge
- Linked electronically to your passport; valid up to 5 years or until the passport expires
- Required for air arrivals; not required if entering by land or sea
- Dual Canadian citizens cannot get an eTA — you must travel on a Canadian passport
Visitor Visa (TRV)
- Apply online via IRCC and pay the fee
- Give biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a Visa Application Centre
- Submit supporting documents: bank statements, employment letter, travel history, invitation letter if visiting family, detailed itinerary
- Processing: highly variable — check IRCC's current processing times for your country and apply months ahead
- If approved, the counterfoil goes in your passport
General Requirements
- Passport valid beyond your intended stay
- Proof of funds for the trip
- Ties to your home country (job, property, family) — officers want to see you will leave
- A clear purpose and itinerary for the visit
Important Notes
- Never book non-refundable travel before a visa decision
- A prior refusal (from Canada or the US) must be disclosed — hiding it is far worse than the refusal itself
- Overstaying or working on a visitor visa can trigger multi-year bans
Note: Immigration rules and processing times change. Always verify on canada.ca before making travel plans.