Here are the questions we are asked most often about Canadian visas and the eTA, grouped in this order: working out what you need, eTA, Visitor Visa, applying, checking your status, refusals, and our service. At the end of each group you can move on to a more detailed page on the topic.
Question groups and related pages
| Group | Typical questions | Related page |
|---|---|---|
| What you need | Visa versus eTA, Korean passports, air and land travel | Types of Canadian visa and how the eTA differs |
| Purpose of travel | Tourism, visiting family and friends, transit, short business trips | Guide to Canadian travel visas |
| Applying | Information to prepare, passport errors, biometrics | How to apply for a Canadian visa |
| Checking status | eTA status, IRCC application status, processing times | Check your Canadian visa status |
| Refusals | Reapplying, submitting the same material, judicial review | What to do after a visa or eTA refusal |
| Our service | Personal data | Contact us |
Do I need a visa or an eTA?
Do I need a visa to travel to Canada on a Korean passport?
Korean passport holders travelling to or transiting through Canada by air generally fall into the category that needs an eTA. A Visitor Visa and an eTA are different documents, so start by checking your nationality and how you will be travelling.
Are the Canadian eTA and a visa the same thing?
No. The eTA is an electronic travel authorisation mainly for air travellers from visa-exempt countries, while the Visitor Visa (TRV) is a temporary resident visa applied for by travellers who require a visa.
Do I have to apply for both an eTA and a Visitor Visa?
In most cases you need only the one that matches your travel requirements. There is no need to prepare both at the same time.
Is a Canadian eTA also needed for entry by land?
Travellers from eTA-required countries who enter Canada by car, bus, train or ordinary boat usually do not need an eTA. Other entry requirements, such as holding a valid passport, still apply.
To read more about the difference between a visa and an eTA, see the Types of Canadian visa and how the eTA differs page.
FAQ on purpose of travel and ways of entering Canada
Does holding an eTA guarantee entry to Canada?
No. The eTA is one of the travel requirements; the final decision on entry is made by a border officer.
Should I buy my flight before applying for a Canadian visa?
There is a risk in buying non-refundable travel arrangements before you are approved. Weigh up the official requirements for your particular application against your actual travel plans.
For guidance by purpose of travel, see the Guide to Canadian travel visas page.
FAQ on applying for an eTA and how long it lasts
Do children need an eTA as well?
Yes. Travellers who require an eTA need their own individual eTA for air travel, regardless of age.
How long is an eTA valid for?
It is generally valid for up to 5 years, or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first.
I have a new passport. Can I still use my existing eTA?
An eTA is linked to a specific passport, so if you are issued a new passport you may need a new eTA.
How long does eTA approval usually take?
The Government of Canada advises that most applications are approved within minutes, but that some may require additional documents. No fixed approval time can be guaranteed.
Are biometrics required for an eTA application?
A standard eTA application is not a process that involves submitting biometrics.
For the application process, see the How to apply for a Canadian visa page.
FAQ on applying for a Visitor Visa
Eligibility and processing arrangements for visas and eTAs can change.
Who applies for a Visitor Visa?
It is mainly applied for by travellers whose nationality requires a visa to enter Canada. Some travellers from certain visa-required countries may be eligible for an eTA for air travel only, provided they meet specific requirements.
What do I have to demonstrate in a Visitor Visa application?
You need to show a valid travel document, the purpose of your visit, sufficient funds for your stay, and your intention to leave at the end of your stay together with your ties to your home country.
Does an invitation letter guarantee a Visitor Visa?
No. An invitation letter can be helpful supporting material in some circumstances, but IRCC decides on approval by considering the full facts and documents of the application as a whole.
Will a large bank balance get a tourist visa approved?
Finances are only one of several assessment factors. Your overall circumstances matter, including the purpose of your visit, your ties to home, your travel history and the consistency of your application.
Are biometrics required for a Visitor Visa application?
They may be, depending on factors such as your nationality and whether you have submitted them before. Applicants who need to give biometrics do so at an official collection point, following IRCC's instructions.
You can find the documents to prepare on the How to apply for a Canadian visa page.
FAQ on checking a visa or eTA
Where can I see the status of my Canadian visa application?
The progress of a Visitor Visa application can be checked with the passport number and email used in the application; if you cannot confirm it, send us a status check request.
Where do I check my eTA status?
The status of a pending application or an existing eTA can be checked with the passport number and email used in the application; if you cannot confirm it, send us a status check request.
If nothing comes up when I check, does that mean I have been refused?
Not necessarily. Your application may not yet have appeared in the system, or your identifying details may have been entered incorrectly.
If it takes longer than the processing time, is that an automatic refusal?
No. Processing times are estimates and can vary depending on further assessment, requests for additional material and other factors.
For how to check, see the Check your Canadian visa status page.
FAQ on refusals and reapplying
If my Visitor Visa is refused, can I reapply straight away?
Rather than asking whether you can, first look at why you were refused and what has changed since. If you reapply with the same information, the decision is unlikely to be different.
Can I make a formal appeal against a visa refusal?
There is generally no automatic appeal process for a Visitor Visa refusal. You can reapply with new information, or, if you wish to argue that there was a legal problem with the process, consider a judicial review at the Federal Court.
Is judicial review the same as reapplying?
No. Reapplying means making a new application, whereas judicial review is a process in which the court examines matters such as the legal soundness and fairness of the decision-making process.
For what to do after a refusal, see the What to do after a visa or eTA refusal page.
FAQ about the CanadaVisaApply service
What should I look for to submit my personal information safely?
Check clearly for HTTPS, a privacy policy, how long data is kept, whether it is shared with third parties or transferred abroad, payment security, and the data destruction policy. Be careful about sharing any account password.
If you have further questions, send them to us through the Contact us page.