Tourist Visa
Canada boasts numerous attractions for travellers seeking leisure and tourism. If you're arriving from another country with plans to explore Canada, reunite with friends or family, you may require either an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a Visitor Visa.
Canada boasts numerous attractions for travellers seeking leisure and tourism.
A Canadian Travel Document can grant single or multiple entries to Canada, with most
visitors allowed a stay of up to 6 months, subject to border services’ discretion. Your need
for it depends on your passport’s origin, your nationality, and your travel method. It may
also be required for transit through a Canadian airport.
The following travellers need a visa to come to Canada by any method of travel—plane,
car, bus, train or cruise ship. (Holders of a foreign national passport and stateless
individuals need a visa to visit or transit through Canada) .
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda (Some citizens of Antigua and Barbuda may be eligible for an eTA if
they meet certain requirements.)
Argentina (Some citizens of Argentina may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain
requirements.)
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil (Some citizens of Brazil may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain
requirements.)
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo (All)
Costa Rica, Republic of (Some citizens of Costa Rica may be eligible for an eTA if they meet
certain requirements.)
Cuba
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel, must have a valid Israeli “Travel Document in lieu of National Passport”.
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea, North
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Macao Special Administrative Region
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives Islands
Mali
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Micronesia, Fed. States
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco (Some citizens of Morocco may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain
requirements.)
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestinian Authority
Panama (Some citizens of Panama may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain
requirements.)
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines (Some citizens of the Philippines may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain
requirements.)
Qatar
Romania (holder of a non-electronic passport, such as a temporary passport)
Russia
Rwanda
Sao Tomé e Principe
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles (Some citizens of the Seychelles may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain
requirements.)
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
St. Kitts and Nevis (Some citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis may be eligible for an eTA if they
meet certain requirements.)
St. Lucia (Some citizens of St. Lucia may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain
requirements.)
St. Vincent and the Grenadines (St. Vincent) (Some citizens of St. Vincent and the
Grenadines may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements.)
Sudan
Surinam
Syria
Taiwan, must have a passport other than an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes their personal identification number.
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand (Some citizens of Thailand may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain
requirements.)
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago (Some citizens of Trinidad and Tobago may be eligible for an eTA if
they meet certain requirements.)
Tunisia
Türkiye
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
Uruguay (Some citizens of Uruguay may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain
requirements.)
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Visa-exempt (eTA eligible) travellers
An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a requirement for visa-exempt foreign travelers
flying to Canada. It’s electronically linked to your passport and remains valid for up to five
years or until your passport expires, whichever happens first. If you renew your passport,
you’ll need to obtain a new eTA.
A valid eTA allows multiple short visits to Canada (typically up to six months each time)
and is not needed for travel within Canada. However, having an eTA doesn’t guarantee
entry; upon arrival, a border services officer will assess your eligibility based on your
passport and other required documents.
The following travellers need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to board their flight
to Canada. However, these travellers do not need an eTA if entering by land or sea – for
instance driving from the U.S. or coming by bus, train, or boat, including cruise ship.
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
British citizen
British National (Overseas)
British overseas citizen (re-admissible to the United Kingdom)
British overseas territory citizen with citizenship through birth, descent, naturalization or
registration in one of the British Overseas Territories of:
Anguilla
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Gibraltar
Montserrat
Pitcairn Island
Saint Helena
Turks and Caicos Islands
British Subject with a right of abode in the United Kingdom
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Chile
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China must have a passport
issued by Hong Kong SAR.
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel , must have a national Israeli passport.
Italy
Japan
Republic of Korea
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Mexico
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Papua New Guinea
Poland
Portugal
Romania (electronic passport holders only)
Samoa
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan, must have an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that
includes the personal identification number.
United Arab Emirates
Vatican City State must have a passport or travel document issued by the Vatican.
eTA exemptions
The main difference between these two visa types is that a single-entry visa allows entry to Canada for one-time only and a multiple entry visa allows entry many times.
Which type of visa to get:
You don’t need to choose. A multiple entry visa is what all visa applicants are automatically considered for. We will review your application and inform you depending on your situation.
When valid, a multiple entry visa allows you to visit Canada for up to 6 months per visit,
with no limits on the number of visits. Its validity can span up to 10 years or until one
month before your passport expires, whichever is sooner. Ensure your arrival in Canada
occurs on or before the visa’s expiration date.
A single-entry visa lets you travel to Canada only one time. For instance, you may only be
eligible for a single-entry visa if:
you are eligible for a fee-exemption and the purpose of your entry to Canada is limited
(such as, for an official visit by a foreign national)
you are taking part in a one-time special event in Canada.
There are approved country-specific procedures or guidelines in place.
In most cases, once you have left Canada, you will need a new visa to enter
Canada again.
You won’t need a new visitor visa to return to Canada if you are travelling directly to the
United States (including its Territories and Possessions) or St. Pierre and Miquelon.
– Count hours worked in full-time positions.
– Hours can be across different eligible occupations and employers.
– The cumulative hours must span at least 12 months (note: working over 30 hours
per week does not shorten this period).
– Do not count hours from unpaid activities, self-employment, part-time or seasonal
positions, or unauthorized work.
Your job offer must meet the following criteria:
– The job must fall within an eligible occupation listed under one of the qualified
industries.
– It must be full-time employment, requiring at least 30 paid hours per week.
– The job should be non-seasonal, with consistent paid employment throughout the
year.
– Employment must be of a permanent nature.
– Unionized positions must adhere to the applicable collective agreement regarding
wages.
– Non-unionized positions must meet or exceed the Job Bank’s median wage for the
occupation, either at the provincial or national level, depending on availability.
– The job must be situated in Canada, excluding Quebec.
You should possess either a Canadian high school diploma or an educational
credential assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization or professional
body, confirming the completion of a foreign credential at or above the secondary
school level.
The ECA report must be less than five years old at the time of your application and
issued after the organization’s designation date.
You must provide evidence of adequate financial resources for settling in Canada,
sufficient to support yourself and any family members, even if they are not
accompanying you to Canada.
If you are already working in Canada with a valid work permit during your application,
you are exempt from demonstrating settlement funds.
There are several compelling reasons to visit Canada as a tourist:
Canada is a multicultural mosaic, offering a rich tapestry of
traditions and cuisines. You can experience cultural festivals, taste
international cuisine, and meet people from all around the world.
Canadians are known for their friendliness and
hospitality, making tourists feel welcome and safe. The country consistently
ranks high in global safety and quality of life indices.
5. Vibrant Cities: Canada boasts vibrant cities like Toronto, Vancouver,
Montreal, and Calgary. These urban centres offer world-class shopping,
dining, entertainment, and cultural experiences.
6. Historical and Cultural Sites: Explore historical sites like Quebec City’s Old
Town, visit the Canadian Museum of History, or learn about Indigenous
cultures and heritage.
7. Healthcare and Education: Canada offers excellent healthcare facilities,
making it a safe destination for travellers. It’s also home to top-notch
universities and colleges for international students.
8. Natural Wonders: Witness natural wonders such as Niagara Falls, Gros
Morne National Park, and the Bay of Fundy’s tidal phenomena.
9. Safe and Clean Environment: Canada is known for its commitment to
environmental conservation, resulting in clean air, water, and sustainable
practices.
10. Festivals and Events: Experience cultural celebrations, music festivals, and
sporting events that take place throughout the year.
This type of permit allows them to:
1. Join you in Canada.
2. Work in any occupation for any employer, with some exceptions, while we process
your permanent residence application.
If you are in a TEER 2 or 3 occupation and have applied for permanent residence
through the Agri-Food Pilot.
Your family members can apply for an open work permit if these three
conditions are met:
1. You have a valid work permit with at least 6 months of validity remaining when we
receive your family member’s open work permit application.
2. Your family member is eligible for a work permit.
For those in TEER 4 or 5 occupations who have applied for permanent residence
through the Agri-Food Pilot.
Am I an eligible candidate for a tourist visa?
Find out whether you qualify to visit Canada.
Complete our online registration to be evaluated and we will provide our assessment within 2-3 business days.
