E-Visa for Canada

For a trip to Canada, you need a valid entry permit. Learn how to find the right Canada visa and get help with the application process.

All foreign nationals need either a visa or an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). Only US citizens and Green Card holders are exempt from this requirement.

eTA is an electronic travel authorization for Canada. It allows all nationals from participating eTA countries to enter Canada quickly and visa-free for up to 6 months at a time for tourism or business purposes. The eTA countries currently include:

¹ British citizens (including British Overseas Territories) by birth, descent, naturalization, or registration with a right of entry or residence in the United Kingdom

² Taiwanese nationals are required to have a passport with a personal identification number.

³ Romanian citizens can only apply for an eTA Canada with an e-passport (electronic passport with a chip).

You may apply for an eTA if you

• fly to Canada and plan to stay less than six months
• make a stopover in Canada

You must apply for a visa because you are not eligible for an eTA if you

• are not from one of the eTA countries
• want to stay in Canada for more than six months
• are a Taiwanese citizen and do not have a personal identification number in your passport
• do not have an e-passport as a Romanian citizen

You do not need a visa or eTA if you

• are a Canadian citizen
• are a permanent resident of Canada
• are a US citizen
• hold a Green Card
• come from an eTA country, but enter by land or sea (a valid passport is sufficient)

Since the introduction of eTA, Canadian travel has become much easier for citizens from eTA countries. The differences between visa-free travel with the eTA and travel with a classic visa are:

In addition to being a citizen of one of the visa-exempt eTA countries, you must meet some other requirements to obtain an eTA Canada travel authorization. These relate to your travel intent, intended length of stay, and some personal characteristics.

You only need to apply for an eTA if you are entering the country by air.

You are eTA eligible if you are from one of the participating eTA countries. If your country is not on the eTA country list, you will need to apply for a visa for your Canada trip (unless you are a US citizen or have a Green Card.)

An eTA entitles you to stay in Canada for tourism or business purposes. However, an eTA permit is not the same as a work permit. For an eTA for business purposes, you must present a letter inviting you to Canada from the company.

With an eTA, you may stay in Canada for a maximum of six months at a time. However, you may travel to the country as many times as you wish within the validity period of five years from the date of approval.

You may only enter Canada with an eTA if you meet the physical, mental, and biographical requirements. The following conditions apply:

• You have never been denied a visa or an eTA.
• You have never been expelled from Canada.
• You have not committed any criminal offenses, have been arrested, charged, or convicted.
• You do not suffer from tuberculosis, syphilis, or an untreated drug or alcohol addiction or psychosis.

If you meet all of these criteria and are from one of the eTA countries, then there is probably nothing standing in the way of your eTA travel authorization to Canada.

To apply for an eTA travel authorization, you need a passport valid for at least the duration of your trip. The confirmation of your eTA approval must match the number in your passport. Always carry both documents with you when entering Canada.

Suppose you are a business traveler entering the country at the invitation of a Canadian company. In that case, you must present a letter of invitation at the border, including contact information for the company in question in addition to your eTA.

You may also need to prove the following facts:

• You do not intend to stay in Canada for more than six months.
• You do not intend to begin employment in Canada.
• Your place of business and residence are outside Canada.
• You have sufficient financial means to return to your home country.

Therefore, always carry copies of the documents that can prove sufficient attachment to your home country in case of doubt.

All foreign travelers require an eTA or visa when arriving in Canada by air. Children and infants are not excluded from this requirement. So you will need to apply for a separate eTA for each child traveling with you.

Suppose you are a single parent or relative traveling to Canada with a child under 18. In that case, have documents such as adoption papers, powers of attorney, birth certificates, or custody orders ready.

You can get your eTA travel authorization for Canada on the eTA application page of our partner iVisa within just a few minutes. To do so, have your biographical information, passport, home address, and valid email address ready.

You will be asked questions about your health, immigration history, and any criminal record, among other things, during the approximately 5-minute application process. Answer them truthfully and then apply.

After an automatic check, you will receive your eTA approval by email, which usually arrives after a few minutes. However, some applications may take several days to process and may require additional documents to be submitted.

With an eTA permit, once you enter Canada, you are allowed to:

• engage in tourist activities
• meet family and friends
• attend training and courses

With an eTA permit for business travel, you are allowed to:

• meet business partners
• attend trade shows, conferences, and conventions
• buy and sell products and services
• attend or conduct training courses

Once approved, the eTA travel authorization is valid for a total of five years but no longer than the expiration date of your passport. If your passport expires and you apply for a new one, you must also apply for a new eTA.

In rare cases, an eTA may be denied. The most common reasons for an eTA rejection include incorrect information in the application (including spelling errors) and past criminal offenses by the applicant.

If your eTA has been rejected, you will not be allowed to travel to Canada for the time being. You now have the following options:

• Apply for a Canadian visa
• Fix the reasons for the eTA rejection (e.g., spelling errors) and file a new eTA application
• With the help of a lawyer, ask for a review of your application by the Federal Court of Canada

The Canadian authorities are not obliged to tell you the exact reasons for the rejection. However, reapplying for an eTA is only useful if you know the reasons for the rejection and eliminate them beforehand.

When you arrive at the Canadian border, a CBSA border official will make the final decision on whether you are allowed to enter Canada. Normally, a scan of your passport is sufficient for this. However, further inquiries are possible.

When entering Canada, please take note of the current entry regulations, including all safety instructions.

Find out about the exact import regulations for Canada before you enter the country. There are strict rules for bringing food, plants, animals, medicines, luxury goods, weapons, ammunition, and vehicles.

The ArriveCAN platform allows you to submit important health data to the Canadian government. Until September 2022, ArriveCAN was mandatory for Canadian travelers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since October 1st, 2022, participation in ArriveCAN is voluntary.

• Date and time of arrival
• Airport of entry
• Flight number and airline for the flight that will take you to Canada Information about immunizations and test results
• Information about the countries you have been in during the 14 days prior to your arrival in Canada

If you submit your information within 72 hours prior to your arrival in Canada, you will be shown and emailed a receipt.

On the Declaration Card, you declare if you are bringing cash or goods into Canada that must be cleared through customs or whose introduction would violate Canadian laws.

Your entry to Canada is done in three steps:

• Filling out a Declaration Card (already possible on the plane)
• Control at the first stop of the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency)
• Baggage claim and second CBSA stop with the presentation of the Declaration Card

In some cases, Canadian border officials may need to search travelers' luggage to ensure the protection of Canada's security, economy, and environment. Do not be put off by any searches or additional questions, and remain friendly.

Also, be prepared for border officials to ask for copies of the eTA permit or additional answers or documents that may prove, for example, a bond with your home country.