A Canada visit visa costs CAD $100 for one person, plus $85 for biometrics if you are eligible, but US citizens do not need a Canadian visa or an eTA to visit. Visa-exempt travelers who fly in need an eTA for CAD $7, and everyone else applies for a visitor visa online.
The phrase “Canada visit visa” covers three different cases. US citizens can enter with proper identification. Travelers from visa-exempt countries who fly need a small electronic travel authorization. Travelers from other countries need a visitor visa before they leave. This guide explains who needs what, the fees, the documents, the letter of invitation, how long you can stay and the mistakes that lead to refusals. The details come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) pages on visiting Canada (updated September 28, 2026), the visitor visa page (updated August 28, 2026) and the eTA pages. If you are American, your passport is the main document, and our US passport guide covers how to get or renew one.
Do You Need a Canada Visit Visa?
It depends on your passport: US citizens need neither a visa nor an eTA, visa-exempt travelers who fly need an eTA, and everyone else needs a visitor visa. IRCC has a short tool that tells you which one applies.
Here is the split:
- US citizens, including US-Canadian dual citizens: IRCC says you do not need an eTA or a Canadian visa. You must carry proper identification and meet the basic entry requirements. You do not need a Canadian passport if you travel on a valid US passport.
- Visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or through Canada: You need an eTA.
- Travelers from countries that need a visa: You apply for a visitor visa before you travel.
IRCC’s page does not address lawful permanent residents of the US or limits on how long US citizens may stay, and it points to the eligibility page for those details. If that is your case, check the linked IRCC or Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) guidance before you book.
What Is the Difference Between a Visa and an eTA?
An eTA is a CAD $7 electronic permission for visa-exempt travelers who fly, and a visitor visa is a full application for travelers who need a visa. The table compares them.
| Feature | eTA | Visitor visa |
| Who needs it | Visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through a Canadian airport | Travelers from countries that need a visa |
| Fee | CAD $7 | CAD $100 for one person, $500 for a family of 5 or more |
| Biometrics | Not listed on the eTA page | $85 per person, or up to $170 per family, if eligible |
| Validity | Up to 5 years or until the passport expires | Up to 10 years or until the passport or biometrics expire |
| How to apply | Online with a passport and a card | Online through the IRCC portal |
| Needed for car, bus, train or boat | No | Yes, if you need a visa |
The eTA is linked to your passport, so a new passport needs a new eTA. It is not required for arrivals by car, bus, train or boat, including cruise ships. Most approvals arrive by email within minutes, but some can take several days if IRCC asks for documents. Apply before you book your flight.
How Long Can You Stay in Canada as a Visitor?
With a valid eTA, you can make repeated short trips, normally up to six months at a time. A visitor visa can be valid for up to 10 years, but the length of each stay is set at the border.
The visa’s validity is not the same as your stay. An officer may set a different expiry date, and renewing your biometrics does not automatically extend the visa to 10 years. If you want to stay longer, IRCC offers visitor records that let you extend your stay. Students and workers whose visitor visa has expired can apply for a new one from inside Canada if they plan to leave and return.
For longer family visits, IRCC has the Super Visa. It allows visits of up to 5 years at a time to children or grandchildren, with multiple entries for up to 10 years. For a permanent move, read our guide to the Canada family visa.
How Much Does a Canada Visit Visa Cost?
The processing fee is CAD $100 for an individual or $500 for a family of 5 or more, and biometrics are $85 for an individual or up to $170 for a family. The eTA costs $7.
IRCC says fees are paid by credit or debit card at the end of the application, and some applicants are exempt. Here are the amounts:
- Visitor visa, individual: $100.
- Visitor visa, family of 5 or more: $500.
- Biometrics, individual: $85.
- Biometrics, family of 2 or more: $170 maximum.
- eTA: $7.
First-time applicants must pay the biometrics fee when they submit, unless they are exempt. You may need biometrics again if they expire soon, after a refused permanent residence application or if you gave only partial biometrics. Medical exams and translations, if required, cost extra.
What Documents Do You Need for a Canada Visit Visa?
You need a valid passport and the documents that show your trip is temporary and you can pay for it. Your online checklist is personalized, and your visa office may ask for more.
IRCC lists these items:
- A digital copy of a valid passport or travel document, valid for at least 6 months from the date you plan to travel.
- A letter authorizing a minor child’s travel, if it applies.
- Travel history and an itinerary.
- Bank statements covering at least 6 months.
- An employer letter dated within 3 months of applying.
- A letter of invitation, if someone in Canada is hosting you.
Our visa documents checklist tool helps you keep these in one place, and the visa processing time calculator gives a rough timeline. If your passport is close to expiry, renew first. Our passport renewal guide explains how.
What Is a Letter of Invitation?
A letter of invitation is a letter from a person or business in Canada that confirms the purpose of your visit. It helps the officer understand your plans, but it does not guarantee approval.
For tourists, IRCC says you must also prove your relationship to the person who invites you, for example with a marriage or birth certificate. For business visits, the letter must be addressed to you from the Canadian company. A business visit means meetings, conferences or trade shows, where you stay less than 6 months, do not enter the Canadian labour market and keep your main business and income outside Canada.
If a friend or relative invites you, ask them to include their contact details, the dates of your stay and how you are connected.
How Do You Apply for a Canada Visit Visa?
Apply online through the IRCC portal, pay by card, give biometrics and wait for the decision. Paper applications are allowed only in limited cases, such as a disability.
Follow these steps:
- Use IRCC’s tool to confirm whether you need a visa or an eTA.
- Create an account and start the application in the IRCC portal.
- Upload your passport copy and the other documents on your checklist.
- Pay the fees by credit or debit card at the end of the application.
- Book your biometrics appointment as soon as you receive the instruction letter, to avoid delays.
- Check your application status and respond to any request.
IRCC does not list a standard processing time, so use its processing times tool. Spousal applicants whose sponsor has received an acknowledgement of receipt may get faster processing automatically. Applications that need more information take longer.
What Should US Citizens Carry to Enter Canada?
Carry a valid US passport, and remember that you also need documents to return to the US. IRCC says you must carry proper identification and meet the basic entry requirements.
A passport is the simplest choice. The State Department says the US passport card is valid for entering the US by land or sea from Canada, but it is not valid for international air travel, so a book is the safe choice if you fly. Our guide on the passport card vs book explains the difference. Check CBSA guidance for acceptable travel documents. For a sense of how far your passport can take you, see the world passport ranking.
What About Transit and Business Visits?
IRCC lists transit visas for travelers who pass through Canada by air, and business visits for meetings, conferences and trade shows. Each has its own page, so read the one that fits your trip.
If you only change planes in a Canadian airport, you may still need an eTA or a transit visa, depending on your passport. The eTA page says visa-exempt travelers who fly to or transit through a Canadian airport need the authorization. Canadian organizers who invite foreign business guests have a separate IRCC guide that covers event registration and letters of invitation, so ask your host for it. Keep your return ticket and proof of your main business abroad ready, because a business visitor must keep their main business and income outside Canada.
Can You Work or Study on a Visitor Visa?
No. A visitor visa is for tourism, family visits and short business meetings, not for working or studying long term. Work and study need their own permits.
Business visits are limited to activities like meetings and trade shows. If you want to work, read our Canada work visa guide, and if you want to study, see the study visa in Canada guide. Students and workers whose visitor visa has expired can sometimes apply for a new one from inside Canada if they plan to leave and return.
What Mistakes Lead to a Refusal?
Weak ties to your home country, missing documents and an unclear purpose are the usual reasons. Prepare each point before you apply.
- A passport that expires within 6 months of travel.
- Missing proof of funds, such as bank statements for 6 months.
- No itinerary or a vague reason for the trip.
- A letter of invitation without proof of your relationship.
- Skipping biometrics or paying late.
- Applying for the wrong document, such as a visa when you only need an eTA.
If you are also planning a US trip, our guide on how to get an entry visa to the US covers the other side. For the official starting point, use IRCC’s page on visiting Canada.
FAQs
Do US citizens need a visa to visit Canada?
No. IRCC says US citizens do not need an eTA or a Canadian visa. They must carry proper identification and meet the basic entry requirements.
How much does a Canada visit visa cost?
The processing fee is CAD $100 for one person or $500 for a family of 5 or more. Biometrics add $85 per person.
What is an eTA for Canada?
An eTA is a CAD $7 electronic authorization for visa-exempt travelers who fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. It lasts up to 5 years.
How long can I stay in Canada as a visitor?
With a valid eTA you can make repeated short trips, normally up to six months at a time. The border officer sets your exact stay.
How long is a Canada visitor visa valid?
Up to 10 years, or until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first. An officer may set a different expiry date.
Do I need a letter of invitation?
Not always, but it helps if someone in Canada hosts you. It must confirm the purpose of your visit, and tourists must prove their relationship.
What is the Super Visa?
It lets parents and grandparents visit children or grandchildren in Canada for up to 5 years at a time, with multiple entries for up to 10 years.
Conclusion
A Canada visit visa depends on your passport: US citizens need no visa or eTA, visa-exempt travelers who fly need a CAD $7 eTA, and others pay $100 for a visitor visa. Carry a valid passport, prepare bank statements and an itinerary, and use IRCC’s tools to check the current rules and times.
