Canada is an exciting travel destination for many reasons, including its modern cities and remarkable landscapes. Luckily, paying a visit to the country is relatively easy, no matter where a traveler is from. In fact, Canada has made planning a trip easy due to a series of online tools to organize a visa.

Moreover, everything from visa documentation to Electronic Travel Authorizations is available on the Canadian government’s website. While it is easy and convenient to apply, naturally different rules apply to people of different nationalities. Read on to find out about visa requirements for visiting Canada.

Who needs a visa to visit Canada?

At this stage, citizens of 53 countries do not require a visa to visit Canada. These include most EU member states, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the US. Furthermore, this applies to visits of up to six months. Readers can access a full list of countries that don’t require a visa here on the Canadian Government’s website.

For those visitors from visa-exempt countries, they must bear a valid passport with at least six months remaining before its expiration. However, visitors from visa-exempt countries, excluding the US, also require an Electronic Travel Authorization (C$7). The document is similar to the ESTA visa waiver scheme in the USA and must be purchased before departing for Canada.

Meanwhile, the eTA is valid for five years, or until the bearer’s passport expires, if earlier. Moreover, the permit is normally granted within minutes, although it is recommended to apply at least 72 hours prior to travel. Also, travelers from non-visa-waiver countries are also required to apply for the appropriate class of visa before arriving in Canada.

Reportedly, there are scam websites that claim to process eTAs for higher fees. It is important to use the official government website for all eTA applications.

How to find out if you need a visa for Canada

Anyone wishing to find out if they need a visa for Canada can check the Government of Canada website. On the website, entry requirements for different nationalities are available. In fact, citizens of more than 140 countries require a visa to travel, including China, India, and many other nations in Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East.

Some, including Israel and Taiwan, have very specific geographical and passport requirements to qualify for a visa. For those who are unsure, there is a handy online tool allowing people to input their details to see what documentation they need to enter Canada.

How to apply for a visa

All visitor visas, also known as Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs), can be applied for online. A single-entry TRV costs C$100 and is usually valid for a maximum stay of six months from the date of arrival in the country.

Most cases require a traveler’s biometric data, such as fingerprints. However, it should be noted that travelers do not require a multiple-entry TRV for repeated visits to Canada from the USA unless a third country is visited in between.

Do Americans need a passport to visit Canada?

While most international travelers need a passport to enter the country, US citizens entering Canada via land and sea borders do have other options. Among the approved identity documents are permanent resident cards, enhanced driver’s licenses, Free and Secure Trade (FAST) cards, or NEXUS cards. Meanwhile, US citizens can also enter Canada without an Electronic Travel Authorization.

Readers can find a full list of approved identification documents on the website of the Canada Border Services Agency.  However, please note that questioning can be more intense while entering the country via land border crossings. In fact, they might find that their car may be searched.

For more information and updates, particularly on land border-crossing rules, visit the websites of the US State Department and Citizenship & Immigration Canada.

Once all the paperwork is complete, make sure you enjoy your stay in Canada.