Online Canada Visa Application Process
The Canada Visa Application is an online form. It is recommended by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This form is for people planning short trips to Canada.
The online Canada Visa Application (eTA) replaces the paper process, removing the need to visit a Canadian embassy. Issued via email based on your passport details, most applications take under five minutes. The Canadian government discourages paper applications. All you r need is an internet-connected device, email address, and a credit or debit card for online payment.
After you submit your online Canada Visa Application on this website, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reviews it to verify your identity. Most applications are processed within 24 hours, though some may take up to 72 hours. You will receive the eTA outcome by email.
After your online Canada Visa is approved, keep a digital or printed copy of the confirmation email for presentation at the cruise ship or airport. No sticker visa or physical stamp is required in the Passport, as Canada Immigration staff will verify your visa electronically. Ensure all details on your application (name, date of birth, passport number, issue and expiry dates) perfectly match your passport to avoid boarding issue. Even if there is a slight mistake in the name or Passport information like Passport number or Date of Issue or Date of Expiry, you will be unable to board the flight to Canada using this eTA.
Who is exempt from applying for Online Canada Visa to enter Canada?
Canadian and US citizens need only their passports to enter Canada.
U.S. lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) do not need a Online Canada Visa. To travel to Canada, you must have:
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A valid passport from your country of nationality
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Proof of your U.S. permanent resident status (a valid Green Card)
Who can apply for Online Canada Visa
Only citizens of the following countries are exempted from obtaining a Visa to travel to Canada and must apply instead for the eTA to Canada.
Only those visitors who are traveling to Canada by air through a commercial or chartered flight need to apply for the eTA to Canada. Find out if you are eligible for Online Canada Visa.
Conditional Online Canada Visa
Conditional Online Canada Visa implies the issuance of Online Canada Visa under certain conditions.
The citizens of the eligible countries must meet the conditions to apply for Online Canada Visa. The conditions are as follows.
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Must have a valid non-immigrant US visa or Canadian visa in the past ten years.
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Entering or transiting through Canada through the Canadian airports.
If any of the above condition is not satisfied, then you must instead apply for a Canada Visitor Visa.
Canada Visitor Visa is also referred to as Canada Temporary Resident Visa or TRV.
For Conditional Online Canada Visa countries, since their eligibility depends upon previously issued Canada Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) or US non-immigrant visa, passport holders must travel with old passport if it holds:
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your expired Canadian visitor visa, or
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your valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa.
Activities allowed on Online Canada Visa
The Online Canada Visa allows 04 (four) types of activities, determined by the purpose of the applicant's visit to Canada:
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Transit: A brief stop at a Canadian airport or city while en route to your final destination. If you are not eligible for Online Canada Visa, you must instead apply for Canada Transit Visa.
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Tourism/Personal Visits: Sightseeing, visiting family or friends, school trips, or short, non-credit courses.
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Business: Meetings, conferences, conventions (business, professional, scientific, or educational), or settling an estate.
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Medical Treatment: Planned medical care at a Canadian hospital.
Required information for a Online Canada Visa application
The online Online Canada Visa application requires applicants to provide the following information:
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Personal details (name, place and date of birth)
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Passport information (number, issue and expiry dates)
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Contact information (address and email)
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Employment details
Online Canada Visa Application Prerequisites
Here is what you need to check before applying for a Online Canada Visa:
Passport which is valid
Passport must have a minimum validity of three months past the intended departure date from Canada.
An empty page must be available in the passport for customs officials to affix entry/exit stamps.
Upon approval, your Online Canada Visa will be electronically associated with your valid passport, which may be an ordinary, official, diplomatic, or service passport issued by a qualifying country.
A Online Canada Visa is not available to dual Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents. If you have dual citizenship (e.g., Canadian and French), you are required to use your Canadian passport for entry into Canada and cannot use your French passport to apply for an eTA..
A working Email ID
To apply for a Online Canada Visa, you will need a valid email address to receive the approval. Start your eTA Canada Visa Application form here.
The applicant will receive Online Canada Visa by email, therefore a valid Email ID is required to receive Online Canada Visa.
The form can be completed by the visitors intending to arrive by clicking here
.
Online Payment
As the Online Canada Visa application is exclusively online, you will need a credit or debit card.
What is the processing time for a Online Canada Visa application?
Applicants are advised to apply for their Online Canada Visa no less than 72 hours prior to their scheduled arrival.
Duration of Online Canada Visa validity
A Online Canada Visa is valid for five years from the date of issue, or until your passport expires (whichever comes first). It allows stays of up to six months at a time, with multiple entries permitted within the validity period. The actual length of each stay is determined by border officials based on your reason for visiting and will be noted upon entry.
Arrival in Canada
A Online Canada Visa is required to board any flight to Canada; without it, boarding will be denied. However, even with an approved eTA, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or immigration officials can prevent entry in Canada if:
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You are missing required documents, or your documents, such as your passport, are not valid. Border officials will verify this.
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if you represent a health or financial risk
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if you have a criminal record, have been involved in terrorism, or have had trouble with immigration before
After gathering your documents and confirming your eligibility, you can apply for a Online Canada Visa online using our simple and straightforward application form. If you need any help, please contact Online Canada Visa helpdesk.
Documents you may need at the Canadian border
Proof of financial support
Applicants may be asked to show proof of sufficient funds for their stay.
Proof of onward or return travel arrangements
Applicants may be asked to prove they will leave Canada after their visit.
If you do not have an onward ticket, you can provide proof of funds to purchase one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Online Canada Visa valid for?
Once approved, the Online Canada Visa is generally valid for up to five years or until the expiration of your passport, whichever comes
first.
What is the processing time for the Online Canada Visa application?
The processing time for Online Canada Visa applications vary, but it usually takes up to 72 hours to receive a response.
While most Online Canada Visas are issued within 24 hours, it is recommended to apply well in advance of your travel date to account
for any potential delays.
Can I use the Online Canada Visa for multiple entries into Canada?
Yes, the Online Canada Visa allows you to make multiple entries into Canada during its validity period.
You can take multiple trips without the need to reapply for a new Online Canada Visa.
Can I extend my stay in Canada with the eTA?
The Online Canada Visa does not provide automatic eligibility for an extension of your stay in Canada.
However if you wish to stay longer than the authorized duration, you must apply for an extension with
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) once you are in Canada.
Can I apply for a Online Canada Visa on behalf of my family members?
Everyone must apply for their own Online Canada Visa, including infants and children. Parents or guardians can fill out the application on
behalf of minors.
Can I Apply for the Online Canada Visa without booking airline tickets?
It is not mandatory to book flight tickets before applying for the Online Canada Visa. Often it is advised and recommended that the
travelers apply for the eTA first so that if any issues arise, they have the necessary time to rectify or resolve them.
Is it necessary for me to know the exact date of when I will be arriving in Canada?
No. Though the online Online Canada Visa application provides space for the applicants to fill out information regarding their arrival date
and itinerary in Canada, you are not required to submit it in the application.
How can I use express lane and get through Customs faster?
Speed through customs at select Canadian international airports by using the ArriveCAN app. Submit your customs and immigration declaration electronically up to 3 days before you fly and access express lanes
Online Canada Visa updates
The Canadian Government has provided this simple route to enter the country based on a simplified online process. When applying for Electronic Travel Authority (eTA Canada Visa), please consider the following, for a smooth approval process:
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Temporary Resident Visa has become a requirement for Mexican Citizens since 2024
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As per the eligibility requirements, there are two type of countries eligible for Online Canada Visa Visa. Online Canada Visa program has been expanded to included 13 new nations including Philippines, Costa Rica, Thailand and others.
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Check the Online Canada Visa Visa status on the on enquiry page