This article tells you everything about the entry conditions to Canada for a short trip. Before packing your bags, make sure to check if you need a visa. Here are some guidelines to help you prepare well for your temporary stay.
Entry conditions for a temporary stay in Canada
To travel to Canada, you must determine whether you need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). You can check the Canadian immigration website to find out the requirements related to your country of origin.
Reasons for visiting Canada
The visitor visa, or temporary resident visa (TRV), allows foreign nationals to visit Canada for various reasons, including:
- Tourism: Discovering landscapes, exploring cities, visiting national parks, etc.
- Business: Attending conferences, meetings, business negotiations, or market exploration.
- Family visits: Meeting with relatives residing in Canada, especially for special occasions like weddings or births.
- Medical treatment: Accessing specific healthcare not available in the home country.
Typical duration of stay
The duration of stay granted with a visitor visa is generally six months from the date of entry into Canada. However, border services officers may decide to grant a shorter period. If an extension is necessary, an application for extension must be submitted at least 30 days before the expiration of the visitor status.
Restrictions
Visitor visa holders are not allowed to:
- Work in Canada, unless they obtain a separate work permit.
- Enroll in a long-term study program, unless the program is less than six months.
- Extend their stay indefinitely, except by obtaining another visa or a change of status.
Detailed application process
- Complete the IMM 5257 form online on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
- Provide the required documents, including:
- A valid passport for the entire duration of the stay;
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, employment letter, etc.);
- Invitation letter (if applicable);
- Proof of ties to the home country (employment, property, family).
- Pay the processing fees, generally around 100 CAD.
- Provide biometric data, if required.
- Wait for the decision, with processing times varying from a few weeks to several months depending on the country of origin.
Visa refusal
Common reasons for refusal include:
- Criminal records or security issues;
- Lack of proof of sufficient funds;
- Perceived immigration risk (concerns that the applicant will not leave Canada at the end of their stay);
- Incomplete documents or inaccurate information. In case of refusal, an appeal is possible, but it is often recommended to submit a new application with improved information.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for Canada
The eTA is required for visa-exempt travelers entering Canada by air. Citizens from over 50 countries, including France, Belgium, and Switzerland, can apply for it.
Obtaining the eTA is much faster and simpler:
- Complete the online form on the official IRCC website;
- Provide personal information and passport details;
- Pay the fee of 7 CAD;
- Receive approval usually within minutes, but sometimes within 72 hours.
The eTA is valid for a period of five years or until the passport expires. It allows for multiple entries for stays up to six months.
The eTA is linked to the passport used during the application. If a traveler renews their passport, a new eTA is required. It does not allow working or studying long-term in Canada. It does not guarantee entry: a border agent has the final say.
Important:
Each traveler, including children, must have their own eTA linked to their passport. Although approval is often quick (a few minutes), it is recommended to apply before booking your flight, as in some cases it may take longer.
Entry requirements to Canada
Regardless of your country of origin, you must be able to convince the immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your stay. For example, your return ticket and proof of employment in your country may be requested.
Some visa-exempt visitors must meet other requirements: they must hold a machine-readable passport, or even an electronic passport. You may also be required to undergo a medical examination for the Canadian visa, especially if you will be in contact with children or sick people during your stay in Canada. For this, you will need to visit a visa office to obtain the necessary instructions.
Most visitors aged 14 to 79 years must provide their biometric data (fingerprints and photo) when they visit Canada for the first time. You will know where to go to have your fingerprints and photo taken when you submit your visa or permit application. Be prepared to pay biometrics fees for the Canadian visa of 85 CAD for each applicant and up to 170 CAD in total for a family applying together.
The transit visa for Canada
If you are only passing through Canada without visiting, you might need a transit visa. This visa is valid for a maximum of 48 hours and can be issued for one or two entries, depending on your travel plans. The need for a transit visa depends on your nationality and not your final destination. The transit visa is free. Generally, with a transit visa, you cannot leave the airport. However, there are exceptions, particularly if you are a national of a country eligible for the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program, if you have a valid visitor visa, or in case of an emergency.
Visa for parents and grandparents in Canada
If you are parents or grandparents of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you might benefit from the provisions of the Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents. The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa valid for up to 10 years, but note that the maximum duration of stay allowed per entry is 5 years. To extend your stay, you must apply before your current status expires or leave Canada before the end of your authorized stay and re-enter.
In 2025, the Canadian government increased the number of applications accepted under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) to 25,000. This decision marks a reversal from the January 2025 announcement, where only 15,000 applications were to be processed. Canadian citizens and permanent residents who submitted an expression of interest in 2020, without receiving an invitation, will have a new opportunity to apply during this opening. It is important to note that the PGP does not accept new expressions of interest in 2025 but will select candidates from those who have already expressed their interest in 2020.
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