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.
Answer: You need a visitor visa
For visits of up to 6 months for most purposes.
Cost: CAN $100
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
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).
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.
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.
- You must meet all eligibility criteria to qualify for a super visa. Key criteria include:
- a letter from your child or grandchild with a promise to financially support you for the duration of your visit in Canada.
- proof payment for medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company or an insurance company outside Canada that has been approved by the Minister.
- More information on approved insurance providers outside of Canada will be available in the coming months.
- This medical insurance needs to
- 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.
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.
- You must meet all eligibility criteria to qualify for a super visa. Key criteria include:
- a letter from your child or grandchild with a promise to financially support you for the duration of your visit in Canada.
- proof of payment for medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company or an insurance company outside Canada that has been approved by the Minister.
- More information on approved insurance providers outside of Canada will be available in the coming months.
- This medical insurance needs to
- 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 an electronic travel authorization (eTA). An eTA allows for visits of up to 6 months.
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.
- You must meet all eligibility criteria to qualify for a super visa. Key criteria include:
- a letter from your child or grandchild with a promise to financially support you for the duration of your visit in Canada.
- proof of payment for medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company or an insurance company outside Canada that has been approved by the Minister.
- More information on approved insurance providers outside of Canada will be available in the coming months.
- This medical insurance needs to
- 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 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.
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.
- You must meet all eligibility criteria to qualify for a super visa. Key criteria include:
- a letter from your child or grandchild with a promise to financially support you for the duration of your visit in Canada.
- proof of payment for medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company or an insurance company outside Canada that has been approved by the Minister.
- More information on approved insurance providers outside of Canada will be available in the coming months.
- This medical insurance needs to
- 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
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.
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
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
- your valid visitor visa
- 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.
Answer: You need a visitor visa
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.
Answer: You need a visitor visa
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.
Answer: If we approve your work permit application, we’ll issue a visitor visa for you
- 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 work permit application is approved, if you received one
- valid passport that has your visitor visa stuck to one of its pages
Answer: You should already have a valid visitor visa
We automatically issued a visitor visa to you when we approved your first work permit.
If you leave and return to Canada, you must travel with:
- your valid study or work permit
- your valid visitor visa
- 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.
Answer: You need a visitor visa
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.
Answer: You need a visitor visa
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) 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 work permit
You’ll need to answer some questions on another page to find out.
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: 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.
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
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
An eTA:
- 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
You must have:
- a valid passport and
- your valid study permit
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
An eTA:
- 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
You must have:
- a valid passport and
- your valid study permit
Answer: If you fly to a Canadian airport, you need an eTA
An eTA:
- costs CAN$7
- is electronically linked to your passport
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: 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.
Answer: If we approve your work permit application, we’ll issue an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for you
- You don’t need to submit a separate application for an eTA.
When you travel to Canada, bring your
- letter of introduction that says your work permit application is approved, if you received one
- 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.
Answer: You need an eTA to leave and return to Canada
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.
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 work permit
An eTA:
- costs CAN $7
- is electronically linked to your passport
If you received your current work 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
You must have:
- a valid passport and
- your valid work permit
Answer: You need an eTA to leave and return to Canada
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.
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 work permit
An eTA:
- costs CAN $7
- is electronically linked to your passport
If you received your current work 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
You must have:
- a valid passport and
- your valid work or study permit
Answer: If you fly to a Canadian airport, you need an eTA
An eTA:
- costs CAN$7
- is electronically linked to your passport
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: Before you continue, find out if you need a work permit
You’ll need to answer some questions on another page to find out.
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 don’t need to apply for a visitor visa or eTA
When you travel to Canada, bring your
- letter of introduction that says your study permit application is approved, if you received one
- valid passport or travel document that you used to apply for your work or study permit
Answer: You don’t need to apply for a visitor visa or eTA
When you travel to Canada, you must bring your:
- letter of introduction that says your study permit application is approved
- valid passport or travel document that you used to apply for your work or study permit
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.
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.
Answer: You don’t need to apply for a visitor visa or eTA
When you travel to Canada, bring your
- letter of introduction that says your work permit application is approved, if you received one
- valid passport or travel document that you used to apply for your work permit
Answer: You don’t need to apply for a visitor visa or eTA
When you travel to Canada, you must bring your:
- valid work or study permit
- valid passport or travel document that you used to apply for your work or study permit
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.
Answer: Before you continue, find out if you need a work permit
You’ll need to answer some questions on another page to find out.
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: Your permit is not an eTA or a visa
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)
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
- your valid study permit
Apply for an eTA Opens in a new tab
If you re-enter Canada by car, boat, bus or train
You must have:
- a valid visitor and
- your valid study permit
Answer: Your permit is not an eTA or a visa
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.
What you need depends on your travel plans.
If you re-enter by a Canadian airport (fly back to Canada)
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:
- the passport that’s linked to your valid eTA and
- your valid work permit
Apply for an eTA Opens in a new tab
If you re-enter Canada by car, boat, bus or train
You must have:
- a valid visitor visa and
- your valid work permit
Answer: You’re eligible to apply for an eTA
You can apply for an eTA if you travel to Canada by air only.
An eTA:
- costs CAN$7
- is electronically linked to your passport
- 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’re eligible to apply for an eTA
You can apply for an eTA if you travel to Canada by air only.
An eTA:
- costs CAN$7
- is electronically linked to your passport
- 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
When you travel to Canada, bring your
- letter of introduction that says your study permit application is approved, if you received one
- 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 don’t need to apply for a visitor visa or eTA
When you travel to Canada, bring your
- valid work or study permit
- 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
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.
When you travel to Canada, bring your
- valid study permit,
- 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 don’t need an eTA or a visitor visa
When you travel to Canada, bring your
- valid passport or travel document and
- official proof of U.S. lawful permanent resident status
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.
Answer: You don’t need to apply for a visitor visa or eTA
When you travel to Canada, bring your
- letter of introduction that says your work permit application is approved, if you received one
- valid passport or travel document that you used to apply for your work permit and
- official proof of U.S. lawful permanent resident status
Answer: You don’t need to apply for a visitor visa or eTA
When you travel to Canada, bring your
- valid work permit
- valid passport or travel document that you used to apply for your work 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
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.
When you travel to Canada, bring your
- valid work permit,
- 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 don’t need an eTA or a visitor visa
When you travel to Canada, bring your
- valid passport or travel document and
- official proof of U.S. lawful permanent resident status
Answer: Before you continue, find out if you need a work permit
You’ll need to answer some questions on another page to find out.
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
You can apply for an eTA if you travel to Canada by air only.
An eTA:
- costs CAN$7
- is electronically linked to your passport
- 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’re eligible to apply for an eTA
You can apply for an eTA if you travel to Canada by air only.
An eTA
- costs CAN$7
- is electronically linked to your passport
- 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 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.
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.
Complete list of acceptable status documents for lawful permanent residents of the U.S.
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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