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Canada visitor visa and eTA: who needs one

Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked

Short answer

Most visitors need either a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Travellers from visa-exempt countries who fly to Canada need an eTA, which costs $7 online and is often approved within minutes. Others need a visitor visa, which starts at $100 and has processing times that vary by country. US citizens need neither.

Who handles it

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Handles it everywhere in Canada.

Canada Service Map is independent and not a government website. The official page always has the final word.

Who can apply

  • Most travellers need either a visitor visa or an eTA to fly to, or pass through, a Canadian airport. Check which one you need before you apply.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

  • Travellers from visa-exempt countries need an eTA to fly to or through Canada. They do not need one when arriving by car, bus, train or boat.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

  • US citizens do not need an eTA but must carry proper ID such as a US passport. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, need a Canadian passport instead.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

  • For a visitor visa you must have a valid passport, be in good health, have no criminal or immigration convictions, have enough money for your stay, and convince an officer you have ties at home and will leave at the end of your visit.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

What you need

  • Visitor visa applicants include a digital copy of a valid passport, which should be valid at least 6 months from your travel date, plus the documents on the personalized checklist you get when applying online.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

Cost

  • An eTA costs $7. Each person applies and pays separately.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

  • A visitor visa costs from $100 per person.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

How long it takes

  • Most eTA applicants are approved by email within minutes. Some take several days if IRCC asks for documents, so apply before you book your flight.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

  • Visitor visa processing times vary by country. They do not include the time it takes to give biometrics, if you need to.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

Good to know

  • An eTA is linked to your passport and lasts up to five years or until the passport expires. A new passport needs a new eTA.

    Source: canada.cachecked #

Questions people ask

How much does a Canadian eTA cost?

It costs $7 for each person. Only apply on the official Government of Canada website.

Source: canada.cachecked #

How long can I stay in Canada with an eTA?

You can visit as often as you like for short stays, normally up to six months at a time, while the eTA and your passport are valid. An eTA does not guarantee entry; a border officer decides when you arrive.

Source: canada.cachecked #

Do I need an eTA if I drive into Canada?

No. Visa-exempt travellers only need an eTA when flying. Arriving by car, bus, train or boat does not require one.

Source: canada.cachecked #

Can my parents visit Canada for longer than 6 months?

Parents and grandparents who want to visit their children or grandchildren may be able to get a super visa, which lets them visit for 5 years at a time.

Source: canada.cachecked #

Cite this page

Canada Service Map, "Canada visitor visa and eTA: who needs one", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/visit-canada