eTA · Visitor Visa(TRV)
Before you travel to Canadacheck which document you need
Depending on your nationality and how you travel, entering Canada may require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a Visitor Visa (TRV). We have brought together in one place what to check before you apply, what to prepare, and how to use the official status tools.
- By aireTA or Visitor Visa
- By land or seaeTA generally not required
- Visa-required nationalsVisitor Visa (TRV)
01 — Purpose of visit
Why are you travelling to Canada?
01
Tourism · visiting family and friends
Canada eTA
For a short visit by air, start by checking whether you are in the eTA category
02
Business trips
Canada eTA (check the business visitor requirements)
First check whether your visit stays outside the Canadian labour market
03
Transit · connecting flights
Canada eTA
Even if Canada is not your final destination, check the requirements for an airport transit
04
Studying · working
Separate systems such as a Study Permit or Work Permit
If you plan to study or work, a different system applies
02 — eTA and visa
Canada eTA and Visitor Visa (TRV): what is the difference?
| Category | eTA | Visitor Visa(TRV) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | An electronic travel authorisation linked electronically to the passport | A temporary resident visa placed in the passport as a visa label |
| Mainly for | Air travellers of visa-exempt nationalities | Travellers of nationalities that require a visa |
| How to apply | Applied for online on the official Government of Canada website | Requires detailed application information and document assessment |
| Government fee | CAN$7 | From CAN$100 per person |
| Biometrics | Generally not required | Required in some cases |
| Validity | Up to 5 years, or until the passport expires | Decided case by case on assessment |
| Guarantee of entry | No | No |
03 — Key figures
The Canada eTA in numbers, first
CAN$7
eTA government fee
As of September 2026 · separate from any application support service fee
5years
Maximum eTA validity
Or until the passport expires, whichever comes first
CAN$100and up
Visitor Visa government fee
Per person · biometrics and other fees may be added
Minutesto approval
Most eTA applications
Government of Canada guidance · some applications need extra documents, so processing time cannot be stated as a certainty
04 — How to apply
This is how a Canadian visa application works
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01
Check your travel document
Check your nationality and passport type, how you will enter (air, land or sea), the purpose of your visit and how long you plan to stay, so you can first work out whether you need an eTA or a Visitor Visa.
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02
Prepare your application details and documents
Match the name as written in your passport, your date of birth, sex, nationality, passport number and issue and expiry dates exactly to the passport data page. An eTA requires a valid passport, an email address and a means of payment.
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03
Apply officially and pay the fee
An eTA is applied for online on the official Government of Canada website and the government fee is CAN$7. The Visitor Visa processing fee starts at CAN$100 per person; if there is a service fee, check it separately from the government fee.
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04
Additional requests · biometrics
Some applications may need extra documents, and the Government of Canada will let you know by email. Where biometrics are required for a Visitor Visa, give them at the designated collection point after you receive the official instruction letter.
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05
After approval, check your passport and status
An eTA approval is linked electronically to the passport used in the application. Check the status through the official channel and confirm once more that it matches the passport details in your flight booking.
05 — Status check
Already applied for a Canada eTA or visa?
Already applied for a Canada eTA or visa?
Check where it stands now
You can check your eTA status and the progress of a Visitor Visa application through the official IRCC channels. If you have trouble checking, send us an enquiry.
06 — Frequently asked questions
The questions people check most
01 Do Korean travellers need a visa to visit Canada? Visa
In the ordinary case where a Korean passport holder flies to Canada or transits by air, you are in the category that needs an eTA, and a Visitor Visa is usually not required. The rules can differ if you use another nationality or passport, or in special circumstances. This does not mean that no documents at all are needed.
02 How much is the eTA government fee? eTA
The Government of Canada's eTA application fee is currently CAN$7. If you use a private application support service, there may be a separate service fee, so you should check the government fee and the service fee as two distinct amounts.
03 If I have an eTA, can I stay for 5 years continuously? eTA
No. An eTA is generally valid for up to 5 years, or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first, but the validity of the eTA and the length of stay allowed on a single entry are two different things. An ordinary short stay is usually within a maximum of 6 months, and the period actually allowed may be decided at the border.
04 How much is the Visitor Visa government fee? Visa
On the official IRCC fee list, the Visitor Visa processing fee is currently CAN$100 per person, and depending on the applicant, additional fees such as biometrics may apply. Processing times vary with the country you apply from, how complete your application is and whether extra steps are needed, so checking the official processing times is the accurate approach.
05 Where do I check the status of a visa or eTA? Status check
For an eTA, use the official eTA status check on Canada.ca to see updates on a pending application and the status of an existing eTA. For a Visitor Visa, depending on how you applied, use the status and messages in your IRCC account or the official status check tool. Not finding a record does not necessarily mean you have been refused; the application may not be in the system yet, or the identifying details may have been entered incorrectly.
06 If I am refused, can I reapply straight away with the same content? Refusal
IRCC advises that applying again with the same information is unlikely to change the previous decision. First check the reasons for refusal in the decision letter, then consider whether a change in your circumstances or new evidence would genuinely address those reasons. If you believe the process was unfair or there was an error of law, you can explore the possibility of a judicial review at the Federal Court of Canada with a qualified professional.
There are no questions in this category.
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