“Canada travel visa” is not the name of any single official visa
People often search for a “Canada travel visa” or a “Canada tourist visa”, but the actual travel document required by the Canadian government is either an eTA or a Visitor Visa (TRV), depending on the traveller’s nationality and how they arrive. When you plan a trip, then, work out which document you need from the official entry requirements rather than from the search term itself. For an overview of how the whole system is divided, see the difference between a Canadian visa and an eTA.
Korean passport holders travelling as tourists: start by checking the eTA
Korean passports fall into Canada’s eTA-required category. In the ordinary case of flying to Canada for tourism, to visit family or friends, or for another short stay, an eTA is required. The passport used to apply must be the same passport used to board, and when you are issued a new passport your existing eTA is not automatically transferred to it.
Travellers who need a Visitor Visa
Travellers from visa-required nationalities must, as a rule, apply for a Visitor Visa. Applicants have to show that the purpose of the visit is temporary, that they intend to leave Canada at the end of their stay, and that they can cover the cost of the stay. A letter of invitation is needed in some situations, and the documents to be submitted vary with the purpose of the trip and the applicant’s personal circumstances.
What to prepare for tourism, family visits and short business trips
- Tourism: prepare a consistent account of your itinerary, accommodation plans, expected length of stay and costs.
- Visiting family or friends: be ready to explain your relationship to the person you are visiting, the content of the invitation, and who is covering accommodation and costs.
- Short business trips: check whether you meet the business visitor requirements, which mean not entering the Canadian labour market, and prepare documents covering the purpose, such as meetings, events or training.
- Transit: even when Canada is not your final destination, check the travel document requirements if you transit through a Canadian airport.
Documents worth having ready on arrival
An approved eTA or Visitor Visa does not guarantee entry. At the border you may be asked about the purpose of your visit, the length of your stay, your accommodation, your plans for returning home and your financial means, so it is best to make sure your actual travel plans do not differ greatly from what you described when you applied.
Length of stay and multiple visits
A valid eTA can be used for multiple air trips to Canada while it remains valid, but the period of stay permitted on a single visit and the validity period of the eTA are two different things. With a Visitor Visa too, the validity of the visa should not be confused with the period of stay actually authorised after entry.
Checklist for just before you travel
- Check that your passport number and the English spelling of your name match the approval details
- Check whether a new passport has been issued
- Check that your airline booking details match your passport details
- Check whether additional documents are needed when travelling with a minor
- Re-check the Canadian government’s latest entry requirements
The application process and the documents to prepare are set out step by step on the how to apply for a Canadian visa page.
A 30-second guide to which travel document you need
| Situation | Document to check first | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Korean passport + arriving by air | eTA | Based on an ordinary short trip |
| eTA-required nationality + arriving by land or by ordinary sea travel | A valid passport and similar documents | An eTA is generally not required |
| Visa-required nationality | Visitor Visa | Some nationalities may qualify for an eTA under certain conditions |
| Canadian citizens and permanent residents | Separate status documents | Different from the eTA/Visitor Visa categories |
| Study or work purposes | Study Permit, Work Permit and similar | Separate from tourist travel documents |
Before you travel, use the Canada eTA and visa status check to confirm your approval status and passport details once more.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a separate visa called a Canada tourist visa?
In most cases what people call a tourist or travel visa is the “Visitor Visa (TRV)” used for tourism. Korean passport holders travelling by air should first check that they usually fall into the eTA category.
Can I use a Canadian eTA for tourism and for visiting family or friends?
If an eTA-required traveller meets the requirements for a short visit, an eTA can be used for ordinary visits such as tourism or visiting family and friends. The purpose of entry and your actual activities must, however, stay within what Canadian immigration law permits.
Do I need an eTA if I enter Canada from the United States by land?
Travellers of eTA-required nationalities generally do not need an eTA when entering by car, bus, train or ordinary boat. Other entry requirements, such as holding a valid passport, continue to apply.
Can I apply for an eTA before my travel dates are confirmed?
An eTA application is based on your passport and application details, so buying a flight ticket is not a prerequisite. You should still confirm the status of your eTA and the validity of your passport before you actually travel.
Do children need an eTA as well?
eTA-required travellers need their own eTA for air travel regardless of age.
See more frequently asked questions
CanadaVisaApply is an independent private information and application-support service, not an official website operated by the Government of Canada or IRCC. An eTA can be applied for directly on the official Canadian government website, and the government eTA fee is currently CAN$7. Government fees for a Visitor Visa currently start at CAN$100 per person, and additional charges such as a biometrics fee may apply where required.
Related pages
- The difference between a Canadian visa and an eTA
- How to apply for a Canadian visa
- Canada eTA and visa status check
- See more frequently asked questions
Apply for a Canadian eTA or visa · Check your application status