Canada – Visa, eTA, Passport and Customs Declarations

Planning a trip to Canada? Check how long your passport must remain valid and find out how to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) or a standard visa. Make sure you have all the required travel documents before departure.

Check the entry requirements for Canada

Make sure you have the right travel documents before your trip to Canada. Use the tool below to check the latest entry requirements and apply for an eTA.

Get ready for your trip

Before you travel, make sure you have the documents required to enter your destination country.

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Passport and entry requirements for Canada

Travellers visiting Canada for tourism or business purposes whose countries are exempt from visa requirements may enter the country with an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). If you plan to stay longer, study, work, or do not meet the conditions of the programme, you must obtain a standard visa from a Canadian diplomatic mission.

Your passport must remain valid in accordance with the applicable regulations for the entire duration of your planned stay in Canada.

Important: Immigration and customs regulations may change. The passenger is solely responsible for ensuring that they hold all required and valid entry documents. We always recommend checking the latest requirements before departure using Sherpa or directly through official Government of Canada websites and Canadian diplomatic missions.

Do you already have your tickets for a flight to Canada?

Planning a trip to Canada? You do not need to have specific travel plans when applying for an eTA. However, we recommend planning your trip in advance. Explore our flights to Canada and book your ticket at a great price.

Frequently asked questions about travel to Canada

An eTA is an electronic travel authorisation for citizens of visa-exempt countries, while a traditional visa is required for stays longer than six months, as well as for work or study in Canada.
Fees are set by the Government of Canada and may change. Always check the current fee in the official application system.
No. Your eTA is electronically linked to your passport, so there is no need to print it.
Applications must be submitted online through the official Government of Canada website. We recommend using this source to avoid unauthorised third-party providers.
We recommend that your passport remains valid for at least six months beyond the end of your planned stay.
No. Citizens of countries participating in Canada's visa-exemption programme who are travelling for tourism purposes for up to six months do not require a traditional visa. A valid eTA is required.
A visa is required if your stay exceeds six months or if you plan to work or study in Canada.
Most applications are approved within minutes, although some may take several days to process, for example if additional documents are required.
We do not recommend leaving this formality until the last minute. Submit your application well in advance of your planned trip.
Travellers are required to provide information in a declaration submitted to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). We recommend using ArriveCAN before departure, as it can help speed up airport processing.
Detailed information on duty-free allowances and import limits is available through official Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) resources.

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^{Information correct as of 21 August 2026. For the latest guidance, always refer to official Government of Canada websites.}