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CanadaVisit & tourismLast checked October 16, 2026

Visiting Canada: Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) or Electronic Travel Authorization

eTA

Most foreign nationals need either a visitor visa or an eTA to visit Canada for tourism, family or business, depending on citizenship and how they travel. Visa-required nationals need a visa for any mode of travel; visa-exempt nationals need an eTA only when flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport. A border officer makes the final entry and length-of-stay decision.

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3 entry rules for Canada based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

Visiting Canada

Add your passport to your profile, or check it here, to see exactly what you need to visit.

Ways to save in Canada

Free passes, discounts and programmes from official sources. Those you may qualify for come first.

  • Canoo

    Free or discounted access to thousands of Canadian attractions such as parks, museums and historic sites through the Institute for Canadian Citizenship's app. It's free to sign up if you are a permanent resident within five years of receiving PR, or within one year of your citizenship ceremony.

    New permanent residentsNew citizens
  • Free admission for youth at Parks Canada places

    Youth aged 17 and under get free admission to Parks Canada national parks and historic sites. Fees for camping, accommodation and some other services still apply, so check current prices.

    YouthFamiliesStudents
  • Parks Canada Discovery Pass

    An annual pass for unlimited admission to Parks Canada places that charge entry. Regular fees apply again from September 8, 2026, so check current prices and what the pass covers.

    Everyone
  • Canadian Museum of Nature: Canoo Access Pass

    The museum offers free admission to Canoo members, who are new citizens and recent permanent residents. Its extended programme adds discounts of 50% in the second year of Canoo membership, 25% in the third year and 15% in the fourth year.

    New permanent residentsNew citizens

Offers and conditions change; check the official page before you go.

Life in Canada

Money

3

Currency

Canadian Dollar

CAD

Canadian Dollar

Cost of living

90

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

14–33%

Income tax (national)

Federal top rate applies above CAD 258,482 (2026); provinces/territories add their own income tax (roughly 4% to 21% at the top), giving combined top rates of about 44% to 54%.

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.7

#24 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

Your edge here Members

What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties

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Who it’s for

Foreign nationals planning a temporary visit for tourism, family or business.

Eligibility

  • Visa vs eTA rule

    Check whether you need a visitor visa or an eTA, based on your citizenship and how you travel.

    • Visa-required citizens, stateless people and refugee travel document holders need a visa by air, land or sea.
    • Visa-exempt citizens need an eTA only to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport.
    • No eTA by land or sea, except sea travel from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon other than cruise ships.
    • Some citizens of visa-required countries can use an eTA to fly if they meet conditions.
    Official wording

    Citizens of visa-required countries, stateless people and refugee travel document holders need a visitor visa for air, land or sea. Visa-exempt citizens need an eTA only to fly to/transit through a Canadian airport (not by land or sea, except sea travel from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon other than cruise ships). Some citizens of certain visa-required countries can use an eTA for air travel if they meet conditions.

  • Exempt from both

    You do not need a visa or eTA if you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or US citizen.

    • Canadian citizens need a Canadian passport to fly.
    • US lawful permanent residents are eTA-exempt.
    • US lawful permanent residents must carry their green card.
    • US lawful permanent residents also need a valid passport when flying.
    Official wording

    Canadian citizens (need a Canadian passport to fly), permanent residents and US citizens. US lawful permanent residents are eTA-exempt but must carry their green card and, when flying, a valid passport.

  • Valid travel document

    Have a valid passport or travel document, with at least 6 months' validity from your planned travel date.

    6 months

    Passport validity needed

    Official wording

    Valid passport/travel document; the visitor visa page asks for at least 6 months' validity from the planned travel date.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementHealth and admissibility
  • Document checklistPassport (biographic page and pages with stamps/visas)
  • FeesVisitor visa (TRV), per person

The full requirements are for members

Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.

  • 5 more requirements
  • 9 documents
  • 5 fees
  • 6 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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Places to visit in Canada

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Official sources

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