Apply Canada Tourist Visa, Online Application, Cost
Whether you are planning to travel to Canada for recreation or sightseeing, you must keep one thing in mind that you need to make sure to have proper travel documents. Not only do you need to carry your own identification and travel documents, but if your children are travelling with you, their documents are also required.
What is Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)?
From vacationing, visiting family or friends, sightseeing, and for some other social activity like coming as part of a school/college group on a school trip in any Canadian city, Canada eTA is required. It is an authorized travel document that permits foreign nationals to enter Canada for tourism purposes.
As a foreign national of visa exempt countries, you will not have to get a visa from the consulate or Canadian Embassy to travel to Canada if you have Canada eTA. It is electronically linked to a tourist’s passport. As far as its validity is concerned, it goes till your passport expires or for a period of five years, whichever comes earlier.
Do I need Canada eTA or a Visa for travelling to Canada for tourism?
You could travel to Canada for tourism on a traditional Canada Visitor Visa or Canada eTA depending on your nationality. If your passport nationality is one of Visa Exempt country listed below then you do not need to visit Canadian embassy or consulate to obtain Canada Visitor Visa and simply apply for Canada eTA online.
To be eligible for the Canada eTA you are required to be:
- Citizen of any of these visa-exempt countries:
Andorra, Australia, Ireland, Bahamas, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Malta, Brunei, Chile, Cyprus, Papua New Guinea, Norway, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Estonia, Mexico, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Croatia, Lithuania, Portugal, Luxembourg, Netherlands, ItalyMonaco, New Zealand, Samoa, Poland, Singapore, Taiwan, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden. - Citizen of following countries who have either visited Canada in the last 10 years on Visitor Visa (TRV or Temporary Resident Visa) or currently hold a valid US visa: Antigua And Barbuda, Uruguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Thailand, Brazil, Costa Rica, St. Vincent, Seychelles, Morocco, Panama, Saint Lucia, Philippines and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Which all activities are permitted for tourists on eTA Canada Visa?
The eTA Canada Visitor Visa can be used for the following purposes:
- Spending the holidays or vacationing in any Canadian city
- Sightseeing
- Visiting family or friends
- Coming as part of a school group on a school trip or for some other social activity
- Attending a short course of study that does not award any credits
How long can I stay in Canada as a visitor?
Most tourists are allowed for a duration of six months from their date of entry into Canada. However the Immigration officer at Canadian port of entry (POE) has ultimate say in determining how long you are allowed to stay in the country. If the Border Services Officer only authorizes a shorter period, let's say 3 months, the date that you must leave Canada by will be indicated in your passport.
What are essential requirements for applying Canada eTA for tourism?
When applying for the Canada eTA online you will be required to have the following:
- Passport
- Contact, employment, and travel details
- A debit or credit card to pay the eTA application fees
Your passport is the most important of such documents which you must carry with you when entering Canada and on which the duration of your stay in Canada will be stamped by the border officials.
What can make my entry into Canada inadmissible as a visitor?
You should keep in mind that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can deny you entry at the border even if you are an approved Canada eTA holder.
Some of the top reasons for inadmissibility are
- you do not have all your documents, such as your passport, in order, which will be checked by the border officials
- you pose any health or financial risk
- criminal/terrorist history
- human rights violations
- participation in organized crime
- previous immigration issues
- finanical reasons like no proof of means to support yourself
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Certain foreign nationals are allowed by Canada to visit the country without having to go through the lengthy process of applying for the Canadian Visa. Instead, these foreign nationals can travel to the country by applying for the Canada Electronic Travel Authorization or Canada eTA. Learn more at Canada eTA Requirements.
British citizens, Italian citizens, Spanish citizens, French citizens, Israeli citizens, South Korean citizens, Portuguese citizens, and Brazilian citizens can apply online for Canada eTA.