All permit and visa options for going to Canada

The eTA

As mentioned in Chapter 1, citizens of visa-exempt countries (who are not Canadian permanent residents) need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) to travel to Canada by plane. Note that this is not necessary if you arrive by car, bus, train or boat.

You will have to apply for an eTA and pay CA$7. The eTA is directly linked to your passport and is valid for five years. If your passport expires or you lose it and have to get a new passport before the end of the five years, you will no longer have an eTA. You will have to apply for another eTA using the new passport details before flying to Canada. Otherwise, you will not be able to board the plane.

If you are going on a work or study permit (not as a visitor), you will be automatically issued an eTA. The cost is included in your application, so you don’t have to pay the CA$7 fee. You can see your eTA number and expiry date on the letter that confirms your work/study permit application has been approved (called the Port of Entry Letter of Introduction, or POE LOI).

If you are not a citizen of one of the visa-exempt countries, you will need to follow the steps here to apply for a visitor visa. You can check the list of eligible countries here.

Length of stay as a tourist/visitor

Whether you are travelling with an eTA or a visitor visa, you are usually able to enter Canada for a maximum period of six months. The exact time you get to spend in Canada depends on the immigration officer who you speak to at the border.

The officer can grant you a shorter right of stay if they deem it necessary, or they can even refuse you entry. This happens when an officer is concerned you are trying to enter Canada to illegally work or to outstay your welcome; it does not happen to people who can genuinely prove they want to visit for six months as a tourist.

Plan to have proof of your intentions: proof of funds, proof of a return ticket home or onward travel to another country, a travel itinerary, accommodation reservations at different locations in Canada, etc.

If an officer thinks you might plan to work in Canada without the right to do so, they are entitled to check the contents of your luggage, your phone history, your Internet browser, etc., to see if there is evidence you have been looking for work.

In itself, it is not illegal to look for work in Canada with a visitor status, although it should not be the main purpose of your stay. The issue is delicate, however, as it is forbidden to work in Canada without a work permit. Immigration officials are suspicious of tourists who have brought with them CVs, cover letters or other documents suggesting that they are seeking work and that they do not intend to return home for a long time.

If you wish to stay in Canada for more than six months, you will need to apply for an extension at least 30 days before the end of your six-month stay. After this period, you will have to leave the country and return at a later date.

Can I volunteer in Canada as a tourist?

Volunteering means working without compensation, usually in exchange for accommodation (and sometimes food). Volunteering usually requires you to work around 4-6 hours a day, five days a week to earn bed and board. The three most well-known volunteering networks are WWOOF, HelpX and Workaway.

Volunteering is usually considered work by Canada, which would require a work permit. There are a few exceptions to this rule. If you wish to volunteer in Canada during your tourist stay, read Volunteering in Canada – do you need a work permit? to understand the rules.

Can I study in Canada as a tourist?

If you plan to study for less than six months, you can study on a tourist/visitor status. If you plan to study for six months or more, you must apply for a study permit in advance.