Visitor Visa

Most travelers need to apply for a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through, a Canadian airport. Canada has a range of visas that allow you to come for a holiday or to visit friends and family, as well as some special visas that allow other activities like short-term study or business. Temporary resident visas can be good for one entry to Canada or for a period of time. Learn more about visitor visa options and how to extend your stay.

You must show that you’re a genuine tourist or visitor and intend to leave Canada at the end of your stay. In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements for the temporary resident category, applicants will require either a visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA).

Your family member may need a visa in order to enter Canada. If you are inviting friends or family members to visit, you need to review the list of countries and territories whose citizens need a visa. If your friend’s or family member’s country is on the list, they must apply for and be granted a visa prior to arrival to Canada. Also when they apply for a visitor visa, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada will ask you to provide a letter of invitation in support of their application. Most visitors to Canada may visit for up to 6 months on each entry. Visitors wishing to stay longer must apply for and be granted an extension.

Temporary Resident Visas (Visitor Visas) and eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for Canada

Canada welcomes more than 35 million temporary residents (non-immigrants) each year. Except for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, all other individuals require permission to enter Canada as a visitor and require either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization), unless they are US Citizens.

​The following foreigners need either a TRV or an eTA:

​Tourists

Temporary foreign workers (individuals with work permits)

International students (individuals on study permits)

Business Visitors

TRV or an eTA?  You only need one of them, not both.

​Citizens of visa-exempt countries intending to travel to Canada by air are expected to have applied for and obtained an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before their departure to Canada. 

​Exception: Citizens of the United States do not require a TRV or an eTA, but Green Card holders in the United States, require an eTA to come to Canada, regardless of their nationality.

​If you are NOT a citizen from a visa-exempt country, you WILL need a TRV to enter Canada.