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Visitor visa applications
Additional changes to entry, testing and quarantine requirements in response to the Omicron variant
There are temporary changes for all travellers, including Canadian citizens, regardless of their vaccination status.
Additional restrictions and requirements now apply to these countries:
- Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe
News release
Changes to border measures
New border measures include
- rules for re-entering Canada, if leaving for 72 hours or less
- who is considered fully vaccinated
- rules for travelling within Canada
Starting January 15, 2022, there will be new rules for who can enter Canada as an unvaccinated or partially vaccinated traveller.
Learn more about the new measures
Visitor visa applications submitted before September 7, 2021
If your situation has changed since you submitted your visitor visa application.
We recommend that you submit a new online application if
- you submitted your visitor visa application before September 7, 2021; and
- your situation has changed; and
- to attend an end-of-life ceremony or a funeral
- to be present during the final moments of life of a loved one
- to provide care to a critically ill person
- to join a vessel as a marine crew member
- to assume a posting as a diplomat or to travel as an accompanying immediate family member of a diplomat arriving on posting who will also be accredited in Canada
- to handle the affairs of a victim of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752
- common law partner,
- dependent child,
- dependent child of a dependent child,
- parent or step-parent, or
- guardian or tutor
- non-dependent child,
- a dependent child of a non-dependent child,
- half-sibling or step-sibling,
- grandparent.
- to visit for business (meeting, special event, training)
Get instructions to apply
Make sure to include up-to-date information and, if possible, your previous application number.
By submitting a new application, your previous visitor visa application will be withdrawn. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee of a refund , and you won’t receive a written confirmation that your previous application has been withdrawn.
If you don’t intend to travel to Canada right now
There’s nothing else you need to do. Your application will remain in the queue for processing.
If you no longer want to travel to Canada
You can request a withdrawal via the web form . There is no guarantee that you will get a refund .
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Find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada
Most people need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada - not both. Some people may only need their valid passport. Answer a few questions to see what's right for you.
See all entry requirements by country/territory
You can find the country code on your passport. Be careful when you select your country. Some countries have multiple options and codes are quite similar.
Answer yes if you’re a citizen of Canada and another country.
Look on the front cover of your passport for the symbol of a rectangle with a circle in the middle. If you see this symbol, you have an electronic passport.
Answer: You need a visitor visa
For visits of up to 6 months for most purposes. Cost: CAN $100
Get details about visitor visa Opens in a new tab
Answer: You need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
For visits of up to 6 months or to transit via a Canadian airport. Cost: CAN $7
Get details about eTA Opens in a new tab
Answer: You need a valid Canadian passport
You need a valid Canadian passport to travel to Canada by air (board your flight).
Exception: If you’re an American-Canadian dual citizen with a valid U.S. passport, you don’t need a Canadian passport to fly to Canada. However, you still need to carry proper identification Opens in a new tab and meet the basic requirements to enter Canada Opens in a new tab .
Get details about travelling as a dual Canadian citizen Opens in a new tab
Answer: You need a valid passport or travel document to travel to Canada by car, train, bus or boat
If you decide to fly to a Canadian airport instead, you'll need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
Learn about documents you may need Opens in a new tab
Answer: You need official proof of status in the U.S.
Lawful permanent residents of the U.S. must present these documents for all methods of travel to Canada:
- a valid passport from their country of nationality (or an equivalent acceptable travel document ) and
- a valid green card (or equivalent valid proof of status in the United States)
Answer: You need a transit visa
To connect between 2 international flights, in less than 48 hours. Cost: Free
Note: If you have more than 48 hours between international flights OR if you decide to visit Canada, you need to apply for a visitor visa.
Get details about transit visa Opens in a new tab
Answer: You can apply for a parent and grandparent super visa to visit for more than 6 months
- The super visa is for visits of 5 years at a time .
- a letter from your child or grandchild with a promise to financially support you for the duration of your visit in Canada.
- More information on approved insurance providers outside of Canada will be available in the coming months.
- be valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry to Canada
- provide at least $100,000 in emergency coverage.
- You must apply for a super visa from outside Canada.
- Cost: CAN $100
Note : If you don't meet the criteria for a super visa, you need to apply for a visitor visa.
Get details about super visa Opens in a new tab
Note : If you don’t meet the criteria for a super visa, you need to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA). An eTA allows for visits of up to 6 months.
Note : If you don’t meet the criteria for a super visa, you can visit Canada for up to 6 months with a valid identity document. Bring identification such as a valid passport. Or, if a member of an official program such as Nexus, you may present your valid membership card.
If you don’t meet the criteria for a super visa, you can visit Canada for up to 6 months with
- a valid passport from your country of nationality (or an equivalent acceptable travel document Opens in a new tab ) and
- official proof of lawful permanent resident status in the U.S., such as a green card
Answer: You need a valid identity document
Bring identification such as a valid passport. Or, if a member of an official program such as Nexus, you may present your valid membership card.
Learn about the documents you may need Opens in a new tab
Answer: If we approve your study permit application, we’ll issue a visitor visa
- You don’t need to submit a separate application for a visitor visa.
When you travel to Canada, bring your
- letter of introduction that says your study permit application is approved, if you received one
- valid passport that has your visitor visa stuck to one of its pages
Learn about studying in Canada Opens in a new tab
Answer: You should already have a valid visitor visa
We automatically issued a visitor visa to you when we approved your first study or work permit.
If you leave and return to Canada, you must travel with:
- your valid study or work permit
- If you don’t have a valid visa when you check-in for a flight, it may result in travel delays (or a missed flight).
- your valid passport
Exception : If you return directly from a visit only to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon, you don’t need a valid visitor visa if your study or work permit is still valid.
If your visa has expired or was only valid for a single entry to Canada
You need to apply for a new visa Opens in a new tab .
- A visa costs CAN$100.
- It’s valid for up to 10 years.
If your study or work permit will expire soon, you must extend it before you can apply for a new visitor visa.
You need a visitor visa to leave and return to Canada. Apply for your visa before you leave.
You can apply for a visitor visa from inside Canada if you meet all the conditions below:
- you’re already in Canada
- you hold a valid study or work permit
- you want to leave and return to Canada in the near future
- your existing visitor visa Opens in a new tab is expired or was valid for only one entry
Exception : If you return directly from a visit only to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon, you don’t need a valid visitor visa if your study or work permit is still valid.
Processing times vary by country. You may need to give fingerprints and photo (biometrics) Opens in a new tab with your application. Processing times don’t include the time you need to give biometrics.
Apply for a visitor visa Opens in a new tab
You need a visitor visa to travel to Canada.
A visitor visa:
- is a sticker we put in your passport
- costs CAN$100
Processing times vary by country. You may need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) Opens in a new tab with your application. Processing time doesn’t include the time you need to give biometrics.
Answer: Before you continue, find out if you need a study permit
You’ll need to answer some questions on another page to find out.
If you’re eligible to study without a study permit, you’ll need to come back to this page to find out what you need to travel to Canada.
Find out if you need a study permit Opens in a new tab
Answer: If we approve your work permit application, we’ll issue a visitor visa for you
- letter of introduction that says your work permit application is approved, if you received one
Learn about working in Canada Opens in a new tab
We automatically issued a visitor visa to you when we approved your first work permit.
Processing times vary by country. You may need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) with your application. Processing time doesn’t include the time you need to give biometrics.
Apply for a visitor visa
Answer: Before you continue, find out if you need a work permit
If you’re eligible to work without a work permit, you’ll need to come back to this page to find out what you need to travel to Canada.
Find out if you need a work permit Opens in a new tab
Answer: If we approve your study permit application, we’ll issue an electronic travel authorization (eTA)
- You don’t need to submit a separate application for an eTA.
If you get a new passport before you come to Canada, you’ll need to apply for a new eTA if you plan to fly to a Canadian airport.
Answer: You need an eTA to leave and return to Canada
Your study permit lets you study in Canada. If you plan to leave and return to Canada, you need to make sure you have what you need to re-enter the country.
What you need depends on your travel plans.
If you re-enter by a Canadian airport (fly back to Canada)
You must have:
- the passport that’s linked to a valid eTA and
- your valid study permit
- costs CAN $7
- is electronically linked to your passport
If you received your current study permit on or after August 1, 2015, you may have a valid eTA.
If you don’t have an eTA or yours has expired, you’ll need to apply for a new eTA.
Apply for an eTA Opens in a new tab
If you re-enter Canada by car, boat, bus or train
- a valid passport and
Answer: If you fly to a Canadian airport, you need an eTA
- costs CAN$7
Most applicants get their eTA approval (via an email) within minutes. However, some requests can take several days to process if you’re asked to submit supporting documents.
If you drive or arrive by train, bus or boat
You just need a valid passport or travel document Opens in a new tab to get to Canada by car, train, bus or boat.
Answer: If we approve your work permit application, we’ll issue an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for you
- valid passport that you used to apply for your work permit
If you get a new passport before you come to Canada, you’ll need to apply for a new eTA if you plan to fly to a Canadian airport.
Your work permit lets you work in Canada. If you plan to leave and return to Canada, you need to make sure you have what you need to re-enter the country.
- your valid work permit
If you received your current work permit on or after August 1, 2015, you may have a valid eTA.
- your valid work or study permit
Answer: You don’t need to apply for a visitor visa or eTA
- valid passport or travel document that you used to apply for your work or study permit
When you travel to Canada, you must bring your:
- letter of introduction that says your study permit application is approved
Answer: You don’t need an eTA or a visitor visa
If you’re driving or arriving by train, bus, or boat.
You just need to bring the right travel documents Opens in a new tab .
If you fly to or transit through a Canadian airport
You just need to travel with your valid U.S. passport if you fly or transit through a Canadian airport.
- valid passport or travel document that you used to apply for your work permit
- valid work or study permit
Answer: Your permit is not an eTA or a visa
When you extend your study permit, you’ll also be issued an eTA if you don’t already have one. When you fly to a Canadian, you must have:
- the passport that’s linked to your valid eTA and
- a valid visitor and
Apply for visitor visa Opens in a new tab
When you extend your work permit, you’ll also be issued an eTA if you don’t already have one. When you fly to a Canadian, you must have:
- a valid visitor visa and
Answer: You’re eligible to apply for an eTA
You can apply for an eTA if you travel to Canada by air only .
- is only valid when flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport
Most applicants get their eTA approval within minutes (via email). However, some requests can take several days to process if you’re asked to submit supporting documents.
If you already have a valid Canadian visitor visa you don’t need to apply for an eTA. You can travel with your visa until it expires.
If your travel plans change
You need a visitor visa (not an eTA) if you decide to get to Canada by car, train, bus or boat instead.
Answer: You don’t need to apply for a visitor visa or eTA
- valid passport or travel document that you used to apply for your study permit and
- official proof of U.S. lawful permanent resident status
Answer: You need valid proof of lawful permanent resident status of the U.S. to leave and return to Canada
- valid study permit,
- valid passport or travel document that you used to apply for your study permit, and
Answer: You don’t need an eTA or a visitor visa
- valid passport or travel document and
You’ll need to answer some questions on another page to find out.
If you’re eligible to study without a study permit, you’ll need to come back to this page to find out what you need to travel to Canada.
- valid passport or travel document that you used to apply for your work permit and
- valid work permit
- valid work permit,
If you’re eligible to work without a work permit, you’ll need to come back to this page to find out what you need to travel to Canada.
Answer: You’re eligible to apply for an eTA
If you already have a valid Canadian visitor visa , you don’t need to apply for an eTA. You can travel with your visa until it expires.
If you transit through Canada to or from the United States
You may be able to transit through Canada without a visa or eTA if you meet certain eligibility requirements.
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 stamp
- expired 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
Important note:
This tool provides information only. It was created to assist you as you decide what travel document you may need to travel to Canada. This tool may not provide information on all travel documents or your particular situation. If you choose to apply, we will assess your application in accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and its related Regulations. Read our complete terms and conditions (opens in a new tab) .
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