Canada:Visa Requirements

CanadaLearn the visa requirements for this country. Last check:Last update:

Official Government Website

Canada Visa Requirements Map

Canada: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

General Entry Requirements

  • Requirements:

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • A person traveling under an arrangement that does not require a visa or electronic travel authorization must carry a valid passport, travel document, or identity document accepted for their travel method and personal status. The passport is the most reliable and universally recognized identity document for international travel.
  • Many passengers traveling by air under visa exemption must also obtain a valid electronic travel authorization. For most visa-exempt travelers traveling by land or sea, an eTA is not required; however, a valid passport or another travel document accepted under the relevant regulation is required. An eTA requirement may also apply on specific maritime routes.
  • The passport must be valid on the date of entry. An additional fixed minimum passport validity period applicable to all visa-exempt travelers is not explicitly specified in the central official source. The number of blank pages required in the passport, the biometric passport requirement, and the machine-readable passport condition are also not explicitly specified in the central official source for all visa-exempt travelers.
  • The traveler must be admissible to Canada from a health and safety standpoint. They must have no serious criminal or immigration violations, be able to demonstrate that they will leave Canada at the end of their visit, and have sufficient financial means to cover their own expenses during the visit.
  • The border officer may request information or supporting documents regarding the purpose of travel, return plans, accommodation arrangements, employment or family ties, and financial means. The required financial amount varies depending on the length of stay and whether the traveler will stay at a hotel, or with friends or relatives. A universal minimum amount is not explicitly specified in the central official source.
  • Possessing an entry document does not guarantee admission to Canada. The traveler's identity, health status, and admissibility to the country are reassessed at the border. Providing false or incomplete information may result in denial of entry.
  • Most visitors are granted a stay of up to six months. The border officer may determine a shorter or longer period based on the purpose of travel and personal circumstances. The determined departure date may be written in the passport or a visitor record may be issued.
  • Children under 18 are subject to the same entry rules as adults and must carry their own passport. The presence of the child's information in a parent's passport cannot be used in place of the child's own passport.
  • For a child traveling alone, a copy of the birth certificate and a consent letter prepared in English or French, if possible, signed by both parents or legal guardians must be carried. The letter must include the parents' contact information and the name, address, and telephone number of the adult who will be responsible for the child in Canada.
  • For a child traveling with only one parent, a copy of the birth certificate, a consent letter signed by the non-traveling parent, and a copy of that parent's signed passport or national identity document must be carried.
  • In the case of divorce or separation, custody documents must be carried; in the case of sole custody, the custody order; in the case of death of one parent, the death certificate; and for travel based on adoption or legal guardianship, the adoption or guardianship documents must be carried.

Electronic Travel Authorization Requirements

  • The eTA application must be made through the official online form of the Canadian government. A separate application is made for each person, and a collective application for multiple family members cannot be made on the same form. A separate eTA application is also required for children.
  • The application form is only available in English and French. Since the form cannot be saved, the passport, email address and payment card must be kept ready before starting the application.
  • Valid passport information must be used during the application. Biographical information such as name, date and place of birth, gender, marital status, address, citizenship and passport number from the passport are entered into the form. The applicant's current job, health status and background information regarding admissibility to the country are also asked.
  • The applicant must have a valid email address. The application result, requests for additional documents and approval information are sent to this email address.
  • The eTA application fee is 7 Canadian dollars per person and is non-refundable. Payment can be made online with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, their prepaid cards, Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard, UnionPay or JCB card. Each payment covers only one person's application.
  • In a standard eTA application, uploading a separate passport photo, bank statement, flight ticket, hotel reservation, travel insurance or providing fingerprints are not among the generally required documents of the central application process.
  • Most applications are processed within a few minutes. Review of some applications may take a few days. If additional documents are needed, the applicant is sent an email, usually within 72 hours of the application, explaining the steps to follow.
  • The eTA is valid for up to five years or until the expiry date of the passport used in the application. The eTA loses its validity on whichever of these two periods ends first.
  • A valid eTA can be used for multiple short trips during its validity period. The permitted duration of stay per visit is normally up to six months; the final period is determined by the border officer.
  • The eTA is linked electronically only to the passport used in the application. The traveler must use the same passport when traveling to Canada. If a new passport is obtained, a new eTA application must be made.
  • The passport number in the approval email should be compared with the number on the passport. If the numbers do not match, the existing eTA cannot be used and a new application must be made.
  • There is no requirement to carry a printed approval document for the eTA. The authorization is electronically linked to the passport. However, it is recommended to keep the eTA number for later status inquiries or communication purposes.
  • The eTA is used for traveling to Canada by air or transiting through an airport in Canada. The entry document required for travel by land or sea may be different.
  • The eTA is not a work or study permit. To work in Canada or participate in an educational program requiring a permit, a separate appropriate work or study permit must be obtained.
  • Having an eTA does not guarantee the right to enter Canada. The traveler must present a valid passport, explain the purpose of the visit, and be able to show that they will leave at the end of the visit and can cover their expenses.

Consulate Visa Application Requirements

  • The Canada visitor visa, also called a temporary resident visa, is a physical visa document placed in the passport when approved. Submitting the application online does not convert the visa into an electronic visa.
  • Applications must, as a rule, be submitted through IRCC's online portal. Those who cannot apply online due to a disability, as well as refugees, stateless persons, or persons using a special identity or travel document issued in the name of a non-citizen, may submit a paper application.
  • The applicant must answer all questions in the online form correctly and completely. At the end of the online application, the electronic declaration and consent section is completed. In paper applications, the relevant forms must be completed in accordance with the instructions in the guide, dated, and signed where required.
  • The application system generates a personalized document checklist for the applicant based on the purpose of travel, the country of application, residence status, and personal answers. All documents generated in the portal must be uploaded. The local visa office may request additional documents.
  • All applicants must submit a color digital copy of their valid and unexpired passport or accepted travel document. It is recommended that the passport or travel document be valid for at least 6 months from the planned travel date. A visa cannot be issued for a date beyond the validity of the passport or biometric records.
  • The passport must contain at least one blank page other than the last page. The local visa office where the application is made may request additional blank pages.
  • If a passport is used, clear and color copies of the identity page showing date of birth and country of birth, as well as all pages containing stamps, visas, or other markings, must be submitted.
  • If a travel document is used instead of a passport, the document must have been issued by a state or authorized international organization; it must include the applicant's name, date of birth, document number, nationality or residence status, photograph, and, if applicable, the expiry date.
  • Most ordinary, official, and diplomatic passports are accepted. Foreign passports issued for stateless persons, re-entry permits, and certain refugee travel documents may also be accepted. Some temporary, provisional, or non-machine-readable passport types are not accepted. The acceptance status must be verified based on the type of document used and the issuing authority.
  • In online applications, whether separate printed photographs are required depends on the personalized checklist and the biometric status. Applicants who need to provide fingerprints and a biometric photograph may not be asked for paper photographs separately.
  • When paper photographs are requested, two identical photographs are submitted. The photographs must have been taken within the last six months, be black-and-white or color, clear, and against a plain white or light-colored background. The photograph frame must be at least 35 × 45 millimeters, and the face height from chin to top of head must be 31–36 millimeters.
  • The applicant may submit documents showing their valid travel history. Previous passports used within the last ten years, past visas, entry-exit stamps, and work or study permits in foreign countries are evidence that may be accepted.
  • The travel itinerary must show the planned duration of stay and the activities to be carried out in Canada. Flight information, accommodation reservations, and registration or invitation documents for events to be attended may be submitted.
  • The applicant must have sufficient financial means to support themselves and any accompanying persons during the visit. The required total amount varies according to the duration of travel and the type of accommodation. A universal minimum bank balance is not definitively stated in the central official source.
  • When a bank account statement is submitted, the bank's name and contact information, the account holder's name and address, and account transactions and balances must be visible. Submitting at least six months of account details helps in assessing the financial situation.
  • An employed applicant may submit an employer letter to demonstrate that they will return to their own country and have a regular job. The letter must be prepared on the employer's official letterhead and be issued no more than three months before the application.
  • The employer letter must include the applicant's full name, date of birth, start date of employment, position, brief job description, current salary, name and contact information of their manager, and the company name and full address. The manager or human resources official must write their name and sign the document.
  • A student document, company registration, salary slips, tax documents, property documents, or documents proving family ties may be requested in the personalized checklist to support the applicant's return to their country of residence at the end of the travel.
  • An applicant invited by a person or business in Canada may be requested to provide an invitation letter. The invitation letter alone does not guarantee the issuance of a visa.
  • The invitation letter must include the full name, date of birth, address, telephone number of the invited person, their relationship with the inviter, purpose of travel, planned duration of stay, address where they will stay in Canada, how expenses will be covered, and planned date of departure.
  • The inviting party must state their full name, date of birth, address and telephone number in Canada, occupation, and citizenship or permanent resident status in Canada. A copy of a birth certificate, citizenship certificate, permanent resident card, or another accepted document proving the status in Canada may be attached.
  • If travel expenses are covered by another person, a letter showing that person's financial capacity and undertaking of expenses, bank documents, income documents, and identity or status document may be requested according to the personal checklist.
  • From persons who are not citizens of the country where the application is made, a valid residence permit, work permit, student status, or other legal proof of residence may be requested. This requirement varies according to the local instructions of the visa office applied to.
  • For a normal visitor visa, travel health insurance and a specific minimum insurance coverage are not a general requirement for all applicants. Health insurance may be separately mandatory for certain long-term family visits or special visa types.
  • The applicant may be required to undergo an immigration medical examination depending on their health condition and the places they have lived in or visited recently. The examination must be performed only by a panel physician approved by Canada.
  • The applicant may be requested to provide a criminal record or police certificate, additional information, or a personal interview. These procedures are not automatic for all applicants; they are requested by IRCC based on the characteristics of the file.
  • Most visitor visa applicants are required to provide fingerprints and a biometric photograph. Children under 14 years of age and persons 80 years of age or older at the time of application are generally exempt from biometrics. Other legal exemptions may also apply.
  • Biometric records provided for temporary residence applications are normally valid for ten years. A person with valid biometrics may not be required to provide biometrics again for each new visitor visa application.
  • If biometrics are required, the applicant must book an appointment at an official biometric collection center after receiving the biometric instruction letter and bring this letter and their valid passport to the appointment. Biometrics must be provided in person.
  • The visitor visa processing fee is 100 Canadian dollars per person. For an eligible family of five or more persons applying at the same time and place, the total processing fee is a maximum of 500 Canadian dollars.
  • The biometric fee is 85 Canadian dollars per person. For eligible family members applying at the same time, the total biometric fee is a maximum of 170 Canadian dollars. No biometric fee is charged for exempt persons.
  • For online payments, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, eligible prepaid cards, Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard, and UnionPay for online transactions may be used. INTERAC Online with eligible Canadian bank cards may also be accepted. The payment card does not have to be in the applicant's name.
  • All documents not in English or French must be accompanied by an English or French translation. If the translation was not done by a certified translator in Canada, a sworn statement attesting to the translator's language proficiency and the accuracy of the translation is required. Outside Canada, this statement is usually made before a notary public.
  • Apostille, consular legalization, or notarization of documents is not a universal requirement for all visitor visa files. Additional certification may be required depending on the document type and the instructions of the local visa office.
  • Applicants under 18 years of age must meet the same basic visa requirements as adults. For children traveling alone, with only one parent, or with an adult other than their parents, a birth certificate, consent letter, copies of parental identification, custody order, death certificate, guardianship or adoption document must be submitted as applicable.
  • The processing time for a visitor visa varies according to the country where the application is made, the visa office, the completeness of the file, biometrics, and whether additional review is required. Although most applications are processed within a few weeks or less, a definite processing time applicable to all applications is not stated in the central official source.
  • There is no fixed period applicable to all applicants regarding how far in advance of travel the application must be made. One should apply sufficiently early, taking into account the variable processing time, biometric appointment, and passport return time.
  • Most visitor visas are issued for multiple entry. A multiple-entry visa may be valid for up to ten years or until the expiry date of the passport or biometric records, whichever expires first. The visa cannot be issued beyond that date. The officer may set a shorter validity period based on personal circumstances.
  • A single-entry visa may be issued if there is a specific and limited travel purpose, fee exemption, one-time special event, or another file-specific situation.
  • The visa's expiry date is not the last day one may stay in Canada. Most visitors are permitted a stay of up to six months upon entry. The border officer may set a shorter or longer period.
  • A visitor visa can be used for tourism, family or friend visits, and short-term business visits that do not involve entering the Canadian labour market. For study activities that require work or a permit, a separate appropriate work or study permit is required.
  • An approved visitor visa does not guarantee entry into the country. The traveler must be able to present at the border their passport, visa, and, when required, financial, accommodation, invitation, and return documents supporting their application.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • A transit visa is issued for eligible travelers who will transfer within 48 hours or less when traveling from one or more airports in Canada to another country.
  • If the transit period will be longer than 48 hours or if the traveler will leave the airport to visit Canada, a visitor visa must be applied for.
  • Persons transiting through Canada by bus, car, train, ship, or cruise ship cannot apply for a transit visa. For such journeys, a visitor visa or another entry document appropriate to the individual situation is required.
  • The transit visa application must be made before arriving in Canada. As a rule, the application is submitted online via the IRCC Portal. Those who cannot apply online due to a disability, and those using a travel document issued to a refugee, stateless person, or non-citizen, may submit a paper application.
  • During the application, personal information such as full name, date and place of birth, marital status, address, and residence history is provided. A valid passport or travel document, national identity document, and, where applicable, information on residence status in another country are entered into the form.
  • The applicant must answer questions about their educational background, family information, financial situation, criminal and security history, and health status accurately and completely.
  • Mandatory supporting documents are the travel itinerary, national identity document, and a valid passport or travel document. The travel itinerary must show the transit points in Canada, flights, and final destination.
  • If a visa is required for entry to the final destination country, proof of that valid visa must be provided. Although the official online checklist may show the final destination country visa as an optional document, information regarding the right to enter the destination country must be provided in the application form.
  • It is recommended to provide proof of financial sufficiency. If another person is financing the trip, documents showing that this person has sufficient financial means may be attached. The minimum amount required to be in the bank account and the period that the bank statement must cover are not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • An employer letter, a valid visa for the final destination country, financial support documents, and additional explanatory documents may be submitted depending on the circumstances of the file.
  • At the end of the application, the online consent and declaration section must be completed and signed. An incomplete application may not be processed and may be returned to the applicant.
  • No application fee is charged for a transit visa. If biometrics are required under the transit visa, the biometrics process is also free of charge.
  • The biometrics requirement varies depending on the applicant's age, passport, previous biometric records, and exemption status. If biometrics are requested, the applicant must make an appointment at an authorized center after receiving the official instruction letter.
  • During the examination of the application, a medical examination, police or judicial record certificate, and an interview may be requested. The competent authority may request additional documents when deemed necessary.
  • A transit visa is used for the purpose of transiting from an airport in Canada within a maximum of 48 hours. It may be issued as single or double entry according to the travel plan, and must be used before the validity expiry date on the visa.
  • The exact validity period of a transit visa is determined based on the travel plan for each application. A fixed visa validity period applicable to all transit visas is not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Most transit visa applications can be processed within a few weeks or less. The processing time varies depending on the country of application, the relevant visa office, biometrics, and whether additional processing is required. A definitive processing time applicable to all applications is not specified in the central official source.
Population
40,467,728(2026 est.)
Official language
English, French
Government type
Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Continent
North America
Capital
Ottawa
Currency
Canadian dollar
Area
9,984,670 km²
Phone code
+1

Canada: Key Destinations

Canada's capital, Ottawa, is a central hub for political and cultural landmarks. Major gateway cities include Toronto, the largest urban center, and Vancouver, a key Pacific entry point. Montreal offers a blend of European charm and North American energy.

Canada is known for its multicultural cities, world-class universities, and stunning natural landscapes. The Rocky Mountains and Niagara Falls attract millions of visitors annually. The coastline along the Atlantic and Pacific offers rugged beauty and island getaways.

Travelers often plan routes connecting Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, or explore the scenic Canadian Rockies. Regional flights and the Via Rail system link major cities and remote areas. Many itineraries combine urban exploration with national park visits.