Travellers to Canada or those transiting through, here's authorisation you may need

Canada's immigration authority has reiterated the entry requirements for foreign travellers heading to or passing through the country, according to the latest guidance published on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website and shared by the department on social media. The authority said that depending on the nationality and the travel purpose, visitors may require an Electric Travel Authorisation (eTA) or a visa before boarding their flight. for the uninitiated eTA is a digital entry requirement linked to a traveller’s passport and is mandatory for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or transiting through Canada.Who needs an eTAFor citizens of eTA-eligible countries flying to Canada, an eTA and a valid passport are required to board a flight — a separate visitor visa is not needed in this case.The rules shift for travellers arriving by land or sea. In most cases, citizens of eTA-eligible countries arriving by car, bus, train, or boat, including cruise ships, do not need an eTA at all, though a valid passport is still required. One notable exception applies to travellers arriving by sea from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon: those travellers do need an eTA to board, except when arriving by cruise ship.Certain visa-required travellers can also use an eTACitizens of select visa-required countries may also be eligible to apply for an eTA instead of a full visitor visa, but only if they are travelling to Canada by air. If those same travellers arrive by car, bus, train, or boat — including cruise ships — they still need a full visitor visa rather than an eTA.How to applyThe eTA application is completed online and usually approved within minutes, though some requests may take several days if additional documents are required. Travellers should apply before booking their flight to avoid delays. The eTA costs CAD $7 and is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires.Canadian citizens and permanent residentsCanadian citizens who also hold dual citizenship must travel using a valid Canadian passport. Canadian permanent residents do not need either an eTA or a visitor visa, but must travel with a valid permanent resident card or a permanent resident travel document. IRCC specifically flagged that permanent resident status does not expire — meaning former Canadian residents, even those who lived in the country long ago, may still hold valid PR status and should confirm their status before travelling to avoid complications.Travellers who need a full visaTravellers from visa-required countries, stateless individuals, and those holding a foreign passport for stateless persons must apply for a visitor visa rather than an eTA, regardless of how they plan to travel to Canada.US citizens and green card holdersAmerican citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement entirely and instead must carry the appropriate identification, such as a valid U.S. passport.Rules for U.S. lawful permanent residents ("green card" holders) have been in effect since April 26, 2022, requiring these travellers to present two categories of documents regardless of how they enter Canada: a valid passport from their country of citizenship (or an accepted equivalent travel document), and a valid green card or equivalent proof of their U.S. status. IRCC lists several acceptable forms of that status proof, including a valid Form I-551 permanent resident card, a foreign passport bearing a valid I-551 or ADIT stamp, or other specific combinations of expired cards paired with relevant USCIS notices, depending on a traveller's exact immigration paperwork situation.Basic entry requirements for everyoneBeyond authorization documents, IRCC outlined a broader set of baseline conditions all visitors must meet to enter Canada. Travellers must hold a valid travel document, such as a passport; hold a valid eTA or visitor visa; be in good health; have no criminal or immigration-related convictions; satisfy a border services officer that they have sufficient ties to their home country — such as employment, property, financial assets, or family — to ensure their return; convince the officer they intend to leave Canada at the end of their stay; and demonstrate sufficient funds to cover their visit, an amount that can vary depending on trip length and accommodation arrangements.