For anyone planning a trip to Canada, understanding the difference between the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and the Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV) is the first crucial step. Your nationality and mode of transport determine which one you need.
Part 1: The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
The eTA is a mandatory, low-cost travel requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to or transiting through Canada by air.
Who is Eligible for an eTA?
The eTA is primarily for citizens of visa-exempt countries. This list includes, but is not limited to:
| Category 1: Traditional Visa-Exempt Countries |
| Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel (national passport holders), Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and others. |
| Note: U.S. citizens do not need an eTA but must carry proper identification. |
| Category 2: Expanded eTA Eligibility (Partial) |
| Select travellers from 15 visa-required countries may be eligible for an eTA if they have either held a Canadian Visitor Visa in the last 10 years or currently hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa. These countries include: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay. |
Cost and Application Details
- Official Website: Apply directly on the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website: canada.ca/eTA
- Official Fee: CAD $7 (The cost through third-party sites will be higher).
- Key Requirement: A valid passport and a credit/debit card for the fee.
- Validity: Up to 5 years, or until your passport expires.
Time frame: Fast Processing
- Typical Processing Time: Most applicants receive their eTA approval via email within minutes.
- Delay Warning: If IRCC requires supporting documents or a background check, processing can take several days to complete.
Part 2: The Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV)
If your country is not on the eTA eligible list (or you are traveling by land/sea and are not a U.S. citizen), you must apply for a Visitor Visa.
Essential Application Forms
The application package requires several mandatory and context-dependent forms. When applying online through the IRCC Portal, the system will prompt you for the necessary documents:
- Application for Visitor Visa (IMM 5257): The main application form.
- Family Information (IMM 5645): Details about your family members.
- Use of a Representative (IMM 5476): If you use an immigration consultant or lawyer.
Official Application Website
- Official Website: Applications are submitted through the IRCC Secure Portal on the Canada.ca website: canada.ca/visit-visa
- Fees: A mandatory processing fee applies, plus the fee for providing biometrics (CAD $85 for an individual, up to CAD $170 for a family).
Timeframe: Highly Variable Processing
Visitor Visa processing times vary significantly depending on the applicant’s country of residence and the volume of applications.
