Canada is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and is considered one of the most captivating countries worldwide. Alberta, in particular, offers a plethora of remarkable sights and activities, ranging from the awe-inspiring grandeur of Niagara Falls to the expansive open spaces found throughout the province.
If you are contemplating a visit to this remarkable destination, it is advisable to commence your planning process promptly to guarantee that you have all the necessary preparations in place prior to your departure.
Among the crucial aspects to bear in mind is your visa requirement. Therefore, it is essential to ascertain the duration for which you can stay in Canada without a visa. Let us delve into this matter further.
Can I Stay in Canada Without a Visa?
If you’re traveling from a country that requires a visa to enter Canada, your options will be limited. If your name isn’t on the list of eligible visitors, you’ll need one to enter the nation. You can stay in Canada for up to six months without a visa if you come from a visa-exempt country. The nations listed below do not require a visa to visit Canada.
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- British citizen
- Anguilla
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
- Gibraltar
- Montserrat
- Pitcairn Island
- Saint Helena
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel, must have a national Israeli passport
- Italy
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Papua New Guinea
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania (electronic passport holders only)
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan, must have an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes the personal identification number
- United Arab Emirates
- Vatican City State, must have a passport or travel document issued by the Vatican.
So, what are your options for staying in Canada without a visa?
You’ll need to apply for an electronic Go Authorization in order to lawfully travel to Canada without a visa (eTA).
What is an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) ?
You can apply for an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada by air if you are not a Canadian citizen and hold a valid passport from a visa-exempt country. An eTA is an electronic document that verifies you meet Canada’s admission requirements and is linked to your passport electronically. Your eTA will be valid for either five years or until the expiration of your passport, whichever comes first.
You don’t need an eTA if you’re entering Canada by land or sea, unless you plan to take a connecting flight within Canada to fly back home.
How Can I Apply for an eTA?
When applying for an eTA, you must include biographical information as well as a valid payment method such as a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit card. It will take you less than 10 minutes to finish the application.
If you’re having problems filling out the form, there’s a video that explains all you need to know, and it’s available in multiple languages. The authorisation is valid for five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. The processing charge is $7 CAD.
To get your confirmation email from the eTA, you must have a valid email address. If you’ve been accepted, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to access and print your eTA.
Please note if you have already applied for an eTA and would like to review the status of your application, please visit the eTA Check Status page.
Places to Go in Canada as a Tourist
- The Falls of Niagara
Niagara Falls is actually made up of three different waterfalls. Horseshoe Falls, the largest, is on the Canadian side. Both American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls in New York can be seen from that vantage point across the river.
A beautiful boat ride to the base of the falls is available, as well as an aerial view from the Skylon Tower. This is an excellent destination for solo travelers as well as families.
- Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler is a ski resort town in the British Columbia province of Canada. By vehicle, it’s roughly two hours north of Vancouver, and by bus or rail, it’s slightly over three hours. Whistler Blackcomb is known for attracting the top skiers in the world.
Mountain biking and hiking, as well as water sports on nearby lakes, are popular summer activities. Throughout the year, Whistler has a number of events that draw tourists from all over the world.
In Whistler, there are numerous excellent restaurants serving a wide range of cuisines from throughout the world. If you’re on a budget or short on time, fast food joints like Subway, Quiznos, and McDonald’s are available.
- The Island of Vancouver
Vancouver Island is Canada’s best-kept secret. It’s only a short ferry ride from the mainland, and it’s located on the west coast. With a surface area of more than 30,000 square kilometers and a length of approximately 500 kilometers, there is plenty of place for you to explore.
There are over 4,000 provincial parks and marine areas to explore on the largest island off the west coast of North America. And, depending on where you go, you’ll experience a climate that differs from that of mainland British Columbia. There is no single way to explore Vancouver Island; there are a variety of options, including kayaking, beach wandering, and swimming in the saline rivers at Rathetrevor Beach.
4. Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne National Park is as stunning as it gets in terms of natural beauty. Gros Morne National Park has something for everyone with its towering cliffs, sandy beaches, and several lakes. In actuality, this national park was named after Eastern Canada’s second-highest mountain.
Moose and black bears are among the many species of wildlife found in the national park. There are various hiking paths here, and you might even spot some caribou if you’re lucky!
Western Brook Pond is one of the most popular attractions in Gros Morne National Park. This beautiful body of water is at the end of a fjord that runs through the mountains. Glaciers carved the fjord thousands of years ago during the ice period.
If you are a citizen of one of the countries listed above, you are not need to obtain a visa to enter Canada. The next step is to begin the application procedure for an eTA.
What happens if you stay in Canada longer than 6 months?
If at all possible, you should strive to avoid this. This is because you risk losing your travel authorization and being unable to use the eTA in the future. If you need to stay in Canada for a longer period of time, you should extend your eTA.
How can I extend my stay in Canada as a visitor ?
You can apply to extend your stay in Canada online or through a paper application via courier or mail. However, applying online is much quicker and the IRCC will receive your application immediately.
How many times can I travel to Canada on an eTA?
You can travel to Canada as many times as you like within a 6-month timeframe. You can do so until your eTA or passport expires, whichever comes first.
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