Travel to Canada and visa requirements for tourists.
When planning to travel to Canada, it is important to familiarize yourself with the Visa requirements. Currently Canada offers visa free travel to 183 countries and territories. Luckily I am one of the people who can enjoy a Visa free stay in Canada for up to 90 days. My husband on the other hand is not so fortunate and needs a paper visa in his passport.
Does this mean I can just arrive in Canada? The answer is no. There are still requirements that needs to be met.
Canada tourist Visa requirements.
If you are one of the lucky ones who do not need a visa, it is still compulsory for a foreign visitor to get an ETA. Please note that citizens of the United States of America do not need an ETA. Neither does a visitor if you are in the possession of a valid visa, stamped into your passport. Entry into Canada is either via an ETA ( Electronic Travel Authorization ) or a Visa stamped into your passport. This depends entirely on your citizenship.
Why do you need a Visa? A visa is an official document that shows you meet the requirements to enter the country. Please keep in mind that it is often required to have a transit visa when transiting through a Canadian airport. This also depends on your citizenship.
Let’s have a look at the requirements to obtain a Canada tourist visa and an ETA.
- You need a valid travel document or passport. Please note that temporary passports are often not accepted.
- Passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months after your date of travel. It needs to have enough blank pages.
- No criminal record.
- Return tickets and sufficient funds to maintain yourself while in Canada.
- The traveler needs to be in good health and needs a medical certificate.
- An invitation from a Canadian resident.
Currently there are two types of Visas:
- An entry visa that authorizes the visitors a single visit to Canada. When leaving Canada, the visa becomes null and void. It will be necessary to re-apply if you want to visit again.
- The multiple entry visa is more flexible and valid for 10 years. It allows the visitor to enter and leave Canada during a 6 month period.
Information about the Electronic Travel Authorization.
The Electronic Travel Authorization visa is applied for online, valid for 5 years and linked directly to your passport. The process is quick and it is not expensive. The good news is that you will receive the visa quickly after the application is made.
It is very important to familiarize yourself with the latest updates regarding visa requirements.
