Find the right Canada Visa for your trip with price, requirements, and application time
Canada Visa Types
VisaHQ is a trusted platform that offers travelers from visa-exempt countries different ETA options, such as the Tourist ETA, Business ETA, and Transit ETA. Each one is designed to fulfill a particular purpose, so read carefully so you can make the right choice for your future trip. Kindly note that this electronic travel authorization permit is optional for Canadian passport holders, US citizens, permanent residents, or persons arriving by land or sea.
- rExpress entryrequired
- nTourist visanot required
- nBusiness visanot required
Canada Tourism ETA
The Tourism ETA is not a visa but an entry permit for foreign tourists. This entry permit allows the holder to stay in Canada for up to 6 months. It is a multiple-entry permit that can be used for visits at least two times a year. You can use this ETA to visit family and friends, travel to historic and tourist landmarks in the country, or even spend your vacation. This ETA is strictly for leisure and not for any economic aid schooling engagements. So ETA visitors cannot seek employment in Canada to study credit courses at a college or university.
Furthermore, it is available online, so you don’t have to visit the Canadian embassy in your country to apply for it. As long as you are from a visa-exempt country but not from the US or hold a green card, you are free to apply for it. To apply, you will need to submit a completed application form online with a few other documents, which will be listed below.
Successful applicants will receive their ETA in verified emails automatically linked to their passports.
Tourism ETA Validity
An approved ETA is valid for up to 5 years or whenever your passport expires (whichever comes first). With a valid ETA, you can enter Canada as many times as you wish, which is one of its benefits. Also, once approved, you can stay in Canada for up to 6 months to pursue your noneconomic activities. To ensure that you are not compelled to apply for a new ETA because of an expired passport, it is best to use a new passport to apply if possible.
Tourism ETA Processing Time
While it takes only a few minutes to complete the application process on VisaHQ, the processing responsibilities rest with the IRCC. Most ETA requests take 3 days to complete, so you can expect to receive the permit via email about 72 hours after submitting your request.
Canada Business ETA
The Business ETA is designed to cater to business visitors coming to Canada for business purposes.
This ETA is not the same as a work visa because it doesn’t grant the holder the license to work and obtain wages for services rendered. It is strictly for consultants, professionals, and even investors. Guests can also use it for seminars, fairs, tours, and other noncommercial engagements. This ETA has similar requirements to the tourist ETA, but the applicant must submit documents to back their visits.
Business ETA Validity
The business ETA is valid for five years; the visitor can stay in Canada for up to six months. It can also be used to enter Canada several times yearly.
Canada Business ETA Processing Time
If you apply for this ETA, you must wait up to 72 hours to get it.
Visa is not required for a stay up to 180 days
Visa is not required for a stay up to 180 days
You need to apply for this ETA only if you are entering Canada by air.
You don't need a visa if you are entering Canada by any other transport means, except airplane.
You need to apply for this ETA only if you are entering Canada by air.
You don't need a visa if you are entering Canada by any other transport means, except airplane.
Canada ETA can only be issued to a lawful permanent resident of the United States with a valid U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) number.
You need to apply for this ETA only if you are entering Canada by air.
You don't need a visa if you are entering Canada by any other transport means, except airplane.
Fill out Canada Express entry application form online
Original passport. The passport must be valid at least 6 months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the destination country and has at least 2 blank visa pages.
Proof of language proficiency. Language test results
Proof of education. Proof of Canadian education or an educational credential assessment report for immigration purposes if:
• you’re applying through the Federal Skilled Workers Program, or
• you want to get points for the education you got outside CanadaEmployment Offer Letter. Written job offer from an employer in Canada (if you have one), proof of work experience, certificate of qualification in a trade occupation issued by a Canadian province or territory (if you have one)
Proof of Sufficient Funds. The financial coverage of the expenses can be certified with one of the following documents: an original income certificate of the employer or a bank account statement on the account turnover during the last three months or a pension slip or a certificate of registration in the case of an individual entrepreneur or one-man firm or a valid ticket a certificate of a reserved and prepaid journey accommodation.
Unfortunately, at this time VisaHQ does not provide service for
A visa is not required for this destination.
- As of April 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents of the United States are exempt from the ETA requirement and must show these documents for all methods of travel to Canada:a valid passport from their country of nationality (or an equivalent acceptable travel document) anda valid green card (or equivalent valid proof of status in the United States)
- You need an official proof of status as a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., such as one of the following:valid permanent resident card (Form I-551)foreign passport with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (also known as an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication [ADIT] stamp)foreign passport with a temporary I-551 printed notation (“Upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year”) on a machine-readable immigrant visa upon endorsement with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection admission stampexpired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) or Form I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status)expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card [Green Card])valid re-entry permit (Form I-327)Form I-94 with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (ADIT stamp) and a passport-style photo
- As of April 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents of the United States are exempt from the ETA requirement and must show these documents for all methods of travel to Canada:a valid passport from their country of nationality (or an equivalent acceptable travel document) anda valid green card (or equivalent valid proof of status in the United States)
- You need an official proof of status as a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., such as one of the following:valid permanent resident card (Form I-551)foreign passport with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (also known as an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication [ADIT] stamp)foreign passport with a temporary I-551 printed notation (“Upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year”) on a machine-readable immigrant visa upon endorsement with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection admission stampexpired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) or Form I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status)expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card [Green Card])valid re-entry permit (Form I-327)Form I-94 with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (ADIT stamp) and a passport-style photo
- If you’re eligible for one or more of the Express Entry programs you will receive an invitation via email, you’ll be ranked in the Express Entry pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).Federal Skilled Worker Program - This program is for skilled workers with foreign work experience who want to immigrate to Canada permanently.Federal Skilled Trades Program - is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade.Canadian Experience Class - The Canadian Experience Class is for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents.
Canada Express entry fees for citizens of United States of America
| Type of visa | Validity Maximum validity refers to the period over which you are allowed to enter a given country. Validity of visa starts from the date of issuance of visa. | Processing Processing times start on the next business day following submission and serve as indications of processing times under normal circumstances only. | Embassy fee | Service fee | Tax | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility Test | Maximum validity refers to the period over which you are allowed to enter a given country. Validity of visa starts from the date of issuance of visa. | Processing times start on the next business day following submission and serve as indications of processing times under normal circumstances only. Next business day | Embassy fee:$0.00 Service fee:$59.00 Tax:$0.00 Total cost:$59.00 |
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Visa Policy of Canada
The visa policy of Canada is regulated by a few charters encoded in different documents, such as the Canadian Citizenship Act of 1946 and the Reformed Act of 1981. This policy clearly defines who a Canadian citizen is. Also, it states that any foreign national who wishes to enter the country must do so with a temporary resident visa issued by a Canadian Diplomatic mission abroad. However, visitors from 54 visa-exempt countries on the list or with proof of a United States permanent residency do not have to hold visas to enter Canada.
Persons that are not Canadian citizens are not issued Canadian passports, and the eligibility requirements to hold a passport are stated in the Passport Order (1981). The IRCC does the regulation of passport issuance. Exempt travelers, excluding US citizens and permanent residents, must acquire an Electronic Travel Authorization permit, otherwise known as ETA.
This permit is solely for those arriving by air, which has been the standard practice since 2016.
The Canadian Citizenship Act allows such visitors to apply for the ETA online instead of visiting the Canadian embassy in their country. Such applicants will be required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photographs) during the process and a host of other documents to complete the application process.
Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization Eligibility
For a clear understanding of whether you qualify for an ETA or not, take a quick look at the eligibility guidelines.
- You must be from a visa-exempt country or a US citizen or permanent resident flying to or transiting through a Canadian Airport
- You must be up to 18 years and above to apply, but if you are below 18, a guardian or parent must apply on your behalf
- You must have sufficient funds to cover your stay in the country
- You must have a clean criminal record with no prior convictions for crimes
- You need a valid passport issued by your home government
- You must have a clean health bill and not suffer from any terminal or dangerous health problem that will make you seek medical treatment in Canada that you cannot afford. (If you are seeking medical treatment in Canada, you must show proof that you can cover the cost)
- You must have every intention of returning to your country at the end of the trip due to your strong ties with your home country.
- You must not have any plan to work or study in Canada
Now that you know the eligibility criteria for the Electronic Travel Authorization of Canada, let us review the different types you may apply for.
Canada Visa Free Countries
Only travelers from visa-free countries are eligible for ETA. The list is constantly updated and citizens from these countries can enter Canada by air and stay for up to six months. Note that US and French citizens residing in Saint Pierre & Miquelon coming directly from these locations don’t need ETA.
Canada Port of Entry
The Electronic Travel Authorization can only be used to enter Canada by air, and here are the approved airports for travelers.
- Calgary International Airport
- Edmonton International Airport
- Regina International Airport
- Gander International Airport
- Greater Moncton Romeo Leblanc International Airport
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport
- John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport
- London International Airport
- Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
- Quebec/Jean Lesage International Airport
- Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport
- St. John International Airport
- Toronto Pearson International Airport
- Vancouver International Airport
- Victoria International Airport
- Winnipeg International Airport
ETA travelers can enter Canada through any of these 17 airports.
Key Information About Canada ETA
It Is Linked To Your Passport: The first thing you should know is that your ETA is linked to your passport. This means that you cannot travel with a different passport; if you do, you will not be allowed into Canada. Once you arrive at the airport, the immigration officers will scan your passport to generate the ETA; if nothing comes up you will not be allowed into the country.
Only For Short Visits: Another thing to take note of is that this travel document is only for short visits and not for long term visits. This means that you cannot use it as a permanent or temporary residency visa. eTA holders are not entitled to a residency permit.
You Can't Work: Holders of Canadian ETA are not allowed to work during their time in the country. As a matter of fact, it is Illegal to do so on an ETA. Only foreigners with work permits are allowed to legally work in Canada.
Canada Visa Online – Get your Canada ETA with VisaHQ
If you wish to visit Canada in the coming weeks or months and are from a visa-exempt country, you will still need a travel permit to enter the country.
How to obtain an ETA with VisaHQ?
To obtain electronic travel authorization with VisaHQ, you must visit our portal to complete the application form in the following steps.
Fill Out the Application Form: Fill out the application form online using VisaHQ and select the ETA you want.
Attach Documents: Attach all required documents in soft copies by uploading them and submit. After submission, you will receive a confirmation email in your inbox.
Get Your ETA: Within three days or less, you will get your ETA in your email inbox.
Our application process is very easy and can be done with your smartphone or computer. So please go to our website now to complete the form or contact our customer representatives for technical support.
Why Use VisaHQ?
You should use VisaHQ to apply for your Canada ETA for your upcoming trips if you are from a visa-exempt country.
- We are an experienced outfit that has been in business since 2003
- We are spread across the globe with 20 offices in 6 countries to cater to the needs of our clientele
- Our professional support service is tailored to meet your needs and is always on time
- Our application process is very easy to understand and complete
- No need to handle physical documents as everything is done online
- Our team is experienced, so there is no room for errors
- You can track the status of your application
Applying for your travel documents with VisaHQ is a worthwhile experience. Ours is a platform you can trust, so submit your ETA application now, or contact us for extra support if required.
Canada COVID-19 travel restrictions
- Entry is openCanada's borders are open for all travelers.Prior to arrival requirementsValid passport. Valid national passport with at least 6 month remaining validity after the date of departure.Valid visa. Please see the instructions above if visa is needed and apply.Upon arrival restrictions😷Masks are required in public spaces and transport.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Canada visa
Canada Embassy list in United States of America
Canada Customs
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For additional information about travel restrictions, security warnings, political updates, and basic travel guidelines, please contact the nearest Canadian Embassy.