Canada is a country in North America that draws visitors from all over the world for its stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and high quality of life. Gros Morne National Park, Niagara Falls, Churchill, and Banff National Park are just a few of the attractions in Canada.
To travel to Canada, it's essential to meet certain requirements, which vary depending on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Here, we walk you step by step through the requirements for traveling to Canada, so you can handle your paperwork with Visagov hassle-free.
Requirements for Entering Canada
Passport
One of the requirements for traveling to Canada is presenting a valid passport upon entry into the country.
Visa or eTA for Canada
Depending on your nationality, you'll need to apply for a visa for Canada or a travel authorization. This is one of the requirements for entering Canada, along with your passport.
For those who don't need a traditional visa, the Canadian government created an electronic travel authorization, the Canada eTA. If your nationality is among those eligible for the eTA and you're traveling by plane, for tourism, and for less than 6 months, you can apply for it instead of a traditional visa. The eTA costs CAD 7 and is valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
This is one of the requirements for entering Canada that can be obtained online: you'll only need to fill out a form. With Visagov, you can skip trips to consulates or embassies and avoid mistakes when applying for your Canada eTA. Complete the online form and wait for your eTA to arrive in your email.
With Visagov, you can check whether your nationality qualifies you to get the eTA authorization online.
If your trip lasts longer than six months, or you're traveling to work, study, undergo a medical procedure, or for another reason unrelated to tourism, you'll need a different type of visa to enter the country. You can find more information on other types of visas and how to apply for them in our guide Do You Need a Visa for Canada?
Travel Insurance
Having travel insurance is not one of the official requirements for traveling to Canada. However, it's highly recommended to have medical insurance, since Canadian healthcare is not free for non-residents and can be quite expensive.
Currency
Canada's currency is the Canadian dollar. You can exchange currency at exchange offices located in city centers, airports, banks, and ATMs at shopping centers and hotels. You can also use your credit or debit card in urban areas, though it's a good idea to carry some cash for small purchases or businesses that don't accept cards.
Vaccines and Health
There are no mandatory vaccines among the requirements for entering Canada. That said, Canadian health authorities recommend, among others, the flu vaccine, hepatitis A and B, rabies, meningitis, polio, the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), chickenpox, and pneumonia.
We recommend always checking with your doctor about which vaccines or treatments you may need based on your personal situation and travel itinerary.
