Lake Louise and the surrounding peaks in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Who needs a visa for Canada?

Northern America · Ottawa

Photo: Chensiyuan / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Of 198 nationalities, 1 enters Canada with no paperwork at all. The rest: 196 must be approved before they travel and 1 cannot travel there.

Government fee
CA$100
Stay permitted
Usually up to 6 months per entry. The officer at the border sets the actual length.
Apply on the official Canada government site

This is the government's own portal. We are not paid to send you there.

Checked 19 September 2026 — read the fees and rules on ircc.canada.ca

What Canada asks for

  • Passport valid for the whole of your stay
  • Proof of funds for the trip
  • A letter explaining the purpose of your visit
  • Evidence of ties to your home country, such as employment or property
  • An invitation letter from your host in Canada, if you have one
  • Biometrics, given at a collection point after you apply

Worth knowing

  • The fee for a single entry and a multiple entry visitor visa is identical. Nobody can sell you a multiple entry visa for more.
  • Checking your own application status on the IRCC site is free.

Photo requirements

Visa photo: at least 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8 x 1 3/4 inches). canada.ca · read Canada passport photo, for its own citizens: 50 mm wide x 70 mm high (2 x 2¾ inches). canada.ca · read Every photo rule for Canada

Resize a photo in your browser. It is never uploaded.

How long your passport must be valid for Canada: see passport validity by country.

English test

Visitor visas need no English test. These study, work and migration routes do:

  • Express Entry (permanent residence): An approved language test: CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training or PTE Core. Results must be under 2 years old. canada.ca · read

What do you need?

Who needs what

Visa free 1

Nothing to apply for and nothing to pay before you travel.

eTA (electronic travel authorisation) 53

Not a visa. A short online form for travellers who are already visa-exempt, usually approved automatically in minutes to hours. No appointment, no interview, no documents.

Visa required 143

You must apply and be approved before you travel. Airlines will refuse to board you without it.

No admission 1

A government policy, not a paperwork problem. No agent or service can work around it.

Guides for Canada

About Canada

Region
North America
Capital
Ottawa
Population
41,651,653 2025 · 38th of 197
Size
9,984,670 km² 2nd largest of 199
Density
4 per km²
Languages
English, French
Currency
Canadian dollar CAD
Borders
United States

Capital, area, languages and currency from the open country dataset, pulled 21 September 2026. Population from the World Bank, series updated 13 July 2026. Density is calculated from the two figures above.