Find out if you need a visa to visit Canada?
A Visitor Visa or Temporary Resident Visa, allows people to travel and enter Canada to stay for a short period of time, usually 6 months or less. Find out if you need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to visit or transit through Canada.
If you are traveling to or through Canada, it is strongly recommended that you confirm the entry requirements. It might be the case that your visa application is being processed, or that your application for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) has been received and you need to perform a few tasks before proceeding. Find out what you need to do next as we guide you through preparing for a trip to Canada.
Apply for a visitor visa
What a visitor visa is, eligibility and how to apply.
The list of Documents required for a visitor visa depends on your personal profile. Some of the general documents required are as follow:
- Have a valid travel document/passport.
- Have no criminal record.
- Have sufficient funds for their proposed stay.
- Satisfy an immigration officer that they will leave Canada at the end of their visit.
- Have a letter of invitation from sponsor, friends or relatives in Canada, if applicable.
- Provide the travel itinerary and to and from air tickets.
- Be in good health.
Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
What an eTA is, eligibility and how to apply online.
Some of the general documents required are as follow:
- Have a valid travel document/passport.
- Have no criminal record.
- Have sufficient funds for their proposed stay.
- Satisfy an immigration officer that they will leave Canada at the end of their visit.
- Have a letter of invitation from sponsor, friends or relatives in Canada, if applicable.
- Provide the travel itinerary and to and from air tickets.
- Be in good health.
Stay in Canada longer
Visitors, students, and workers who want to extend their stay (temporary resident status) in Canada.
Also a visitors who want to spend more time in Canada, temporary students, and workers who want to extend their stay in the country for an unforeseen extra week or two, are people who apply for visitor status.
Visitor visas for workers and students
How to get a new visa if you have a work or study permit, your visa has or will expire soon and you want to leave and come back to Canada.
If you work or study in the US and are moving back to Canada, make sure you get your new visa properly. You have an option to either convert it to a visit permit while out of the country, or if you choose not to do that, once you get back to Canada go straight from your old status to your new visa/permit.
Transit through Canada
What it means to transit through Canada and which documents you need.
You may need to transit through Canada on your way to another country. The document you need to transit through Canada depends on:
- How you will travel through Canada (by air, car, bus, train, boat, including cruise ship)
- How long it’ll take you to transit through Canada
- The nationality of your passport
- Other factors, such as whether you are a permanent resident of the United States or a US visa holder
Visit Canada on business
Who business visitors are, and how to bring business visitors or delegates to your meeting or event.
Some Canadian provinces offer business immigration programs such as those of the Entrepreneur Immigration Stream of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.
Regional business immigration programs normally require a smaller investment. The Provincial Nominee Program encourages business growth and investors who can edify our smaller communities.
Get border information for visitors
Travel tips, what happens at the border, and prohibited or restricted goods.
To avoid the possibility of penalties, including fines, seizure or prosecution, make sure you have the information you need before attempting to import items into Canada.
Read more at Canada Border Service Agency
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