Canada

1. Passport Requirements

• Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Canada.
• It should have at least one blank page for entry stamps.
• A passport is the main and most reliable travel document (other IDs may be accepted at land borders in some cases, but passport is strongly recommended).

2. Visa or eTA – What You Need Depends on Your Nationality

Canada divides travelers into three main groups:

• Visa-exempt nationalities requiring eTA (if arriving by air)
  Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, British citizen, British National (Overseas), British Overseas Citizen (re-admissible to the UK), British Overseas Territories Citizen, British Subject (with right of abode), Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR (with valid HKSAR or BNO passport), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (with valid passport issued by Taiwan authorities), United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City.
  
  → You need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if arriving by air or transiting through a Canadian airport.
  → Cost: CAD 7
  → Valid for up to 5 years or until passport expires (whichever comes first).
  → Allows multiple entries, usually up to 6 months per visit.
  → No eTA needed if entering by land, sea or bus/train.


• Countries that require a visitor visa
  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Kinshasa), Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, 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, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (some categories), Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
  
  → You must apply for a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) before travel — regardless of entry method (air, land, sea).
  → Processing time varies — apply well in advance (weeks or months).


• US citizens and permanent residents
  → No visa or eTA required when using a valid US passport.
  → US permanent residents need their Green Card + proof of status.

Quick check: Use the official tool → https://ircc.canada.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

3. Length of Stay

• Most tourists receive up to 6 months on entry (common default).
• As of January 2026, border officers often grant up to 1 year for visitor visa holders if you show sufficient funds and a clear plan to leave.
• You cannot work or study without separate permits.

4. Other Important Requirements

• Proof of onward/return travel (ticket) — often checked.
• Proof of sufficient funds for your stay (rarely asked, but good to have evidence).
• Accommodation booking or address in Canada (helpful if questioned).
• No COVID-19 vaccination/testing/quarantine required (rules removed since 2022).
• Customs: Declare goods over CAD 10,000, restricted items (food, plants, weapons, etc.).

5. Practical Tips for a Smooth Trip

• Apply for eTA/visa early — especially in 2026 with full eTA enforcement for visa-exempt travelers by air.
• Check the latest rules directly on official sites:
  → https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada.html
  → https://travel.gc.ca/
• Rules can change — always verify before booking flights.

Safe travels to Canada — whether you're heading to Toronto, Vancouver, the Rockies or Quebec!