Canadian Entry Requirements

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

A Temporary Resident Visa is an official document issued by Canadian visa office that is placed in your passport to show that you have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident (either as a visitor, a student or a worker.) 

Foreign Nationals from countries that require a temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada must apply for the necessary immigration documentation from a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or Consulate abroad.  To determine if you require a TRV, please see the IRCC website.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a new electronic document/screening entry requirement implemented by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air.  Visa exempt foreign nationals are citizens of countries who do not require a temporary resident visa (TRV)  to enter Canada.  Examples include  U.S. Green Card Holders, and citizens of United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Sweden.

There are some exceptions:

  • U.S. citizens (NOTE: Permanent Residents of the U.S. holding Green Cards do require an eTA)
  • Foreign nationals  from visa exempt countries entering Canada via land or sea
  • Foreign nationals who have applied for a work permit or a study permit at a visa office outside Canada (the eTA is automatically granted with no additional application or charge)

To make an application for an eTA, please see the following website.