Most foreign nationals need a Visitor Visa (also known as “Temporary Resident Visa”) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada depending on:
(1) the type of travel document they plan to travel with
(2) the country that issued their travel document
(3) their nationality
(4) their method of travel to Canada for this trip
Visitor Visas (Temporary Resident Visas)
To get a Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa), a foreign national must:
(1) have a valid travel document (for example, a passport)
(2) be in good health
(3) have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
(4) convince an immigration officer that he/she have sufficient ties to their home country (such as, a job, real estate property, financial assets or family members)
(5) convince an immigration officer that he/she will leave Canada at the end of the visit
(6) have enough money for stay in Canada
A Visitor Visa does not permit to work in Canada. It only allows entry to Canada for a specific period, usually 6 (six) months, which can be extended.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. An eTA is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. With a valid eTA, a foreign national can travel to Canada as often as he/she wants for short stays (normally for up to six months at a time).