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Canada: visa and passport requirements

Passport required Return ticket required Visa required
Australian Yes Yes No
British Yes Yes No/5
Canadian 1 N/A N/A
Other EU 3/4 Yes 4
USA 2 No No
Passports: 

To enter Canada, a vaild passport is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above, except the following:

1. Canadian citizens holding a Canadian Certificate of Identity, Canadian birth certificate or a certificate of Canadian citizenship; and permanent residents of Canada with proof of status, i.e Permanent Resident Card, Record of Landing, Returning Resident Permit or a Refugee Travel Document issued by the government of Canada to refugees who have been resettled in Canada; 

2. citizens of the USA holding an equivalent travel document;

3. citizens of France who are residents of, and entering from, the French overseas territory Saint Pierre and Miquelon; and persons entering from Saint Pierre and Miquelon or the USA who are legal permanent residents of the USA, and hold a US alien registration card (Green Card);

4. nationals of Poland and Lithuania require an e-passport for visa-free travel to Canada.

Passport note: 

All persons, including US citizens, travelling by air, land and sea between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport or other approved document when entering or re-entering the USA.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_2223.html.

Children under 18 years must have their own passports. If traveling alone, they must carry information with them on the people responsible for their welfare; this includes a letter of permission to travel from guardian(s), and a letter from the custodian in Canada.

The following are unsuitable for travel to Canada: any passport claiming to have been issued by Somalia; non-machine readable passports issued by the Czech Republic; temporary passports issued by the Republic of South Africa; and provisional passports issued by Venezuela. 

The Government of Canada also refuses admission to holders of passports issued by the UK Government entitled 'British Temporary Resident's Passport'.

Visas: 

Visas are not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to six months, except the following:

(a) holders of passports endorsed 'British Subjects', 'British Protected Persons', 'British Travel Document' and 'British Certificate of Identity';

(b) nationals of Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Romania; nationals of Lithuania and Poland require a visa if their passport is not biometric;

(c) those visiting Canada who visit the USA or Saint Pierre and Miquelon during the same visit, and return directly to Canada as visitors within the period authorised on their initial entry (or any extension thereto). 

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the high commission to check visa requirements for Canada.

Visa note: 

Persons wishing to attend a course of six months duration or less, at any level, do not require a study permit. However, if there is the possibility that you will extend your period of study in Canada, or if you are a full time student and wish to work on campus, you may apply for a study permit.

Depending on circumstance and nationality, certain applicants may need to undergo a medical examination in order to receive their visas; this must be carried out by a physician on Canada's list of Designated Medical Practitioners.

Types and cost: 

The main visitor fees for visas for Canada are: Single-entry: US$75 (£45); mulltiple-entry: US$150 (£91); family: US$400 (£245); student permit: US$125 (£76); transit: free. 

Note: Transit visas are necessary for all nationals who require a visitor visa. Although transit visas are not required by British citizens, they may be required by foreign nationals with British passports; check with the embassy or high commission for details.

Validity: 

Visitor visas are valid for up to six months depending on the circumstances of the individual applicant.

The determination regarding length of stay in Canada can only be decided by the examining officer at the port of entry, but visas cannot exceed the validity of the passport and cannot be longer than five years. If no actual departure date is indicated within the visitor's passport, then the visitor will be required to depart within three months from the date of entry.

Visitors must effect their departure from Canada on or before the date authorised by the examining officer on arrival. If an extension of stay is desired, an application must be made in writing to the nearest Canada Immigration Centre or online at least 30 days before the expiry of the visitor visa.

Details of the appropriate body to approach can be found on www.cic.gc.ca.

Application to: 

Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission).

Working days: 

10 working days are required from receiving an application of a visitor visa for Canada, but applications should be made at least one month prior to the intended date of departure.

Certain nationals are subject to longer processing times. For urgent applications it is advised to apply in person, where same-day processing is available.

Entry with children: 

If travelling with children under 18 of whom you are not the legal parent or guardian, you will require a signed letter authorising entry into Canada from the child's parent or guardian.

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