Pre-arrival card
Official portal
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.htmlSpecifics
- eTA CAD 7, valid 5 years.
- Apply on canada.ca only; lookalike sites charge premiums.
- U.S. citizens do not need eTA (land entry) but do need it for air arrival.
By passport nationality
Headline rule for the nine most-trafficked passport groups. Always confirm on Canada’s immigration portal before booking; visa policy changes frequently.
- US passportVisa-freeUp to 180 days
- U.S. citizens visa-free 6 months by air or land. eTA not required.
- UK passportETA requiredUp to 180 days · CAD 7Pre-arrival: eTA
- eTA valid 5 years.
- EU passportETA requiredUp to 180 days · CAD 7Pre-arrival: eTA
- eTA valid 5 years for EU citizens.
- CA passportVisa-freeNo day limit
- Citizens of Canada.
- AU passportETA requiredUp to 180 days · CAD 7Pre-arrival: eTA
- eTA valid 5 years.
- IN passportConsular visa requiredUp to 180 days · CAD 100Pre-arrival: Visitor visa
- Temporary Resident Visa via online application; processing weeks to months.
- BR passportETA requiredUp to 180 days · CAD 7Pre-arrival: eTA
- eTA valid 5 years for Brazilian passport-holders post-2017 reciprocity changes.
- JP passportETA requiredUp to 180 days · CAD 7Pre-arrival: eTA
- eTA valid 5 years.
- CN passportConsular visa requiredUp to 180 days · CAD 100Pre-arrival: Visitor visa
- Temporary Resident Visa required.
Practical guidance
For most short-stay tourists
The headline rule for Canada is eta visa-free 6 months for visa-exempt nationalities. US passport-holders specifically get visa-free for up to 180 days. See the by-passport block above for your specific nationality.
Pre-arrival documentation
Canada requires eTA before boarding. Airlines check this at the gate; without it you will be denied boarding even if your visa is in order. Allow at least 72 hours for processing in case the portal queues, longer if you are travelling on a national holiday in Canada.
When to apply
For visa-required nationalities, apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Visa-on-arrival and e-Visa systems process in 1 to 7 days typically but can stall around major holidays or political events; do not book non-refundable travel against a pending application. Canada’s official portal is www.canada.ca; only apply through that portal or through your nearest Canada embassy or consulate. Third-party visa services charge for what the government provides at cost.
Common rejection reasons
Passport with under 6 months validity from intended exit date. Fewer than two blank visa pages. No confirmed onward or return ticket. Travel insurance not naming Canada explicitly (Schengen-style coverage minimums apply for many European destinations). Prior visa overstays anywhere, especially in neighbouring countries. Most rejections cite one of these five rather than a substantive concern about the traveller.
Related for Canada
More on Canada
Canada is among the safest large countries in the world. Violent crime against tourists is rare, the major cities operate at safety levels comparable to Western European capitals, and the standard tourist itineraries (Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Vancouver, the Rockies, the Maritimes) carry essentially no general-crime concerns. The risks travellers actually meet are environmental: bear and moose encounters in the national parks, the genuinely-cold winter conditions of central and northern provinces, the extensive smoke seasons of the BC and Alberta wildfire years, and the deceptive distances between everything outside the southern population corridor.
Frequently asked about Canada
Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?
The headline rule is: eTA visa-free 6 months for visa-exempt nationalities. Specific allowance depends on your passport nationality; the by-passport block on this page covers the 9 most-trafficked passports (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil, Japan, China). Always confirm on Canada's official immigration portal before booking, visa policy changes frequently.
How long can I stay in Canada on a tourist visa?
eTA visa-free 6 months for visa-exempt nationalities. eTA is required pre-arrival. For per-passport specifics see the block above. Overstaying carries fines and re-entry bans across most jurisdictions.
Can I extend my visa once I'm in Canada?
Most countries allow a one-time extension via the local immigration office for an additional 30 to 90 days, processed within 7 to 14 working days. Canada's policy varies; the safety guide's Getting In chapter covers it where applicable. Apply at least 2 weeks before your existing visa expires.