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Canada Tourist Information - Visiting Canada

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

Passengers waiting in airport

Canada Visa and Passport Requirements

Passport required Return ticket required Visa Required
British Yes Yes No
Australian Yes Yes No
Canadian N/A N/A N/A
USA 2 No No
EU Yes/1 Yes No

Passports

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

1. 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.

2. Citizens of the USA entering Canada via car, bus, train or boat require a certificate of Indian status along with photo ID. However, it is recommended that you carry a valid passport. US citizens entering Canada via air require a valid passport. US citizens re-entering the USA from Canada via air require a valid passport. US citizens re-entering via land or sea require a passport or passport card.

Passport Note

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.

Visas

All EU nationals are considered visa-exempt for stays up to six months but all must complete an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before boarding their flights to Canada. Visit www.canada.ca to apply for an eTA which is valid for five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. The cost of an eTA is CAD$7.

However, EU nationals do not need an eTA if entering by land or sea. This includes driving from the United States to Canada or going to Canada on a cruise ship.

Citizens from the following countries are considered visa-exempt (they only need an eTA if going to Canada by air). The countries are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, British citizen, British national (overseas), British subject with a right of abode in the United Kingdom, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR passport holders, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Romania (must have an electronic passport), Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United States and its lawful permanent resident, and Vatican City.

Visa Note

Persons wishing to attend a study 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 part-time, 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 doctor on Canada's list of Panel Physicians.

Visa applicants from some countries need to provide biometrics (photo and fingerprints).

Types and Cost

Single- or multiple-entry visitor visa: C$100; family visitor visa: C$500 maximum; transit (less than 48 hours); study permit: C$150.

Validity

Single-entry visa: up to six months.

Multiple-entry visa: allows entry as often as necessary for up to 10 years. All applicants are considered for a multiple-entry visa.

The determination regarding length of stay in Canada can only be decided by the examining officer at the port of entry. It is usually six months, but in some cases, the officer may limit the permitted time in Canada depending on the purpose of your trip.

Visitors must leave Canada on or before the date authorised by the examining officer on arrival.

Transit

Transit visas are necessary for all nationals who require a visitor visa and who are stopping in Canada for fewer than 48 hours on the way to another country. However, this does not include citizens or lawful permanent residents of the USA, who only need the correct travel documents. Passport holders of China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Taiwan also may not require a transit visa if they meet certain conditions. Find out more online at www.canada.ca.

Additionally, certain nationalities travelling to or from the USA via Canada may be eligible for the Transit Without Visa programme; check online at www.canada.ca.

Application to

Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission). Some applicants are eligible to apply online (www.canada.ca). Applicants living in the UK can obtain an eTA for short time stay online (www.canada.ca). UK citizens intending to stay in Canada for a longer period of time should contact the Canadian High Commission.

Temporary residence

In addition to the visas listed above, parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents may apply for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, which allows stays of up to two years.

Working days

Visa processing time varies according to your nationality and your country of residence.

Sufficient Funds

All visitors must have enough money to cover their stay; the amount varies depending on individual circumstances, length of stay and whether you’re staying with friends and relatives or in a hotel.

Extension of stay

If you wish to extend your stay as a visitor, you must apply to the nearest Canada Immigration Centre or online before the expiry of the visitor visa. The cost to extend a visitor visa is C$100.

Entry with children

If travelling with children under 18 or 19 (depending on province) of whom you are not the legal parent or guardian, you are advised to bring a signed letter authorising entry into Canada from the child's parent or guardian. If you are the child's only parent or guardian, it's recommended that you bring documents showing this.

Entry with pets

For information on importing pets into Canada, visit the website of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (www.inspection.gc.ca).


IMPORTANT: This page reflects our understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel to the said country. However, please note that each authority sets and forces entry rules, hence we strongly recommend that you verify critical information with the relevant embassy before travel.
CURRENCY & DUTY FREE

Canadain Currency showing dollar values

Money and duty free for Canada

Currency information

Canadian Dollar (CAD; symbol C$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of C$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of C$2 and 1, and 25, 10, 5 cents.

Although the 1c coin (or penny) remains legal tender, as of 2013 it was phased out of circulation. Larger businesses may not accept 1c coins and request that they’re rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents.

Credit cards

Major credit cards are widely accepted. Use of debit cards is widespread, although many stores impose a C$5 to C$20 minimum per debit card purchase, and service charges may apply.

ATM

ATMs are easy to find in populated areas but are less common in remote regions such as rural parts of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Labrador. Use a machine affiliated with a major bank to reduce service charges; independent machines in locations such as casinos and convenience stores may carry high charges and do not always accept international cards.

Travellers cheques

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Canadian Dollars; these are negotiable primarily in banks, hotels and tourist facilities. Their use has declined somewhat in recent years as more visitors rely on ATM cards, but travellers should bring at least some emergency currency or traveller's cheques in case their ATM cards do not work.

Banking hours

Generally, Mon-Thu 1000-1600 and Fri 1000-1700. Some branches open as early as 0800 and many now open on Saturdays and Sundays too.

Currency restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency but amounts equal or greater than C$10,000 should be declared.

Currency exchange

You can easily exchange currency at any bank or bureau de change. Hotels sometimes change money too, but their exchange rate is likely to be less favourable. If you’re travelling to smaller communities, ensure you have a good supply of Canadian Dollars in cash, as you may not be able to change foreign currency at all and might not have access to an ATM.

Canada duty free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into Canada without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 200g of loose tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks per person over 18 years of age.
• 1.5L of wine or 1.14L of spirits or 8.5L of beer or ale per person over 18 years of age if entering Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and over 19 years if entering British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Yukon.
• Non-residents can bring gifts to the value of C$60 per gift (excluding advertising matter, tobacco or alcoholic beverages).
• Canadian residents can bring goods to the value of C$200 for trips out of the country of 24 hours or more (excluding alcohol and tobacco) and C$800 for trips of 48 hours or more (including alcohol and tobacco).

Banned Imports

The import of firearms, explosives, endangered species of animals and plants, animal products, meat, dairy, and food and plant material is subject to certain restrictions and formalities. Check the Canada Border Services Agency website (www.cbsa.gc.ca) for further details.

Banned Exports

Some products made from endangered animals may require an export certificate.


WEATHER & CLIMATE

Snow scene in the streets of Vancouver

Best time to visit

If you’re planning on skiing or enjoying winter sports, the best time to visit Canada is between December and April, though some resorts open as early as November and extend their seasons as late as June (or even July on Whistler’s glacier). If you want to enjoy the great outdoors without the snow, travel between May and September. Be aware, however, that if there’s been heavy snowfall during the winter, some high-altitude hiking trails may be closed well into July.


FLYING TO CANADA

Air Canada flying over mountains

Links to airports

Air Canada (www.aircanada.com) is the country’s flag carrier airline and currently operate routes between Canada and more than 80 international destinations.

Airlines flying from the UK to Canada also include British Airways (www.ba.com), Air Transat (www.airtransat.co.uk) and WestJet (www.westjet.com). Most major US carriers fly from the USA.

Major airports are: Calgary International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, Halifax Stanfield International Airport, Ottawa International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Edmonton International Airport and Winnipeg International Airport.

TYPES OF ACCOMMODATIONS

Type of room available for accommodation in a hotel or bed and breakfast

Where to stay in Canada

Hotels in Canada cover every budget: all the major North American chains are represented across the country, from luxury brands such as Fairmont, Westin and Four Seasons to more affordable options including Days Inn and Comfort Inn. Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal have all seen a slew of new luxury hotels opening in the past few years and design-led boutique hotels have become something of a trend in all the major cities.

There’s certainly no shortage of clean, modern hotels to suit smaller budgets, also there are actually hundreds of bed and breakfasts and inns throughout the country. One of the most visiting places that tourists head for is Vancouver Island  and a good example of rental cabins, cottages, inns and resorts can be seen here www.vancouverislandvacations.com