About Canada’s Visa Policy for Visitors to Alberta

Millions of tourists visit Alberta, Canada every year to explore its incredible natural wonders, such as the beautiful beaches and lakes and waterfalls, and to go on road trips. The province boasts unforgettable wildlife, top cities, and delicious food and drink.

If you have never visited Edmonton before, you must first check whether you need to get a visa to enter Canada and learn all about Canada’s visit regulations. Get all the details you need on this page and what document you need to travel to Canada, whether it’s to meet family and friends, to do business, or to explore everything that Edmonton has to offer!” But if you want to move to Canada for another reason, such as family reunification, you need information about a spousal sponsorship or a common-law marriage. If this is what you are interested in read here more about common law marriage in Canada (découvrez ici plus d’informations sur le mariage de fait au Canada)

Do You Need a Canadian eTA or a Visitor Visa?

There are two kinds of tourist visas available to enter Canada and visit Edmonton, Alberta, and which one you need depends on your nationality. Here we describe both sorts:

• Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). 

This is a digital travel pass that you apply for and receive entirely online. It’s valid for five years from the date of issue, and allows multiple trips to the Great White North of up to six months each time. To apply, you just need a valid passport. Visitors that can apply for the eTA include citizens of the UK, Australia, France, Germany and Japan.

• Visitor Visa. 

If you’re from a country that’s ineligible for the eTA, then you must apply for a traditional Visitor Visa to enter Canada and explore Edmonton’s top water parks and rock climbing spots. This entry permit is also called a Temporary Resident Visa. Similarly to the eTA, it allows you to visit for up to six months, and it’s valid for up to 10 years. You can apply for the Visitor Visa either online or on paper.

Notably, if you’re travelling to Edmonton from the USA, then you’re exempt from needing either an eTA or a Visitor Visa, and you can visit with just your ID card for up to six months.

In the following sections, we’ll tell you more about the eTA and the Visitor Visa, so you know everything about obtaining your entry pass, depending on which one you need!

More About the Canadian eTA Online Visa

As we’ve mentioned above, the eTA stands for Electronic Travel Authorization. You apply for this travel permit if you’re from an eligible country and you’re travelling to Canada by air. You won’t require an eTA if you’re entering via sea or land, such as by bus from the USA.

Fortunately, dozens of nationalities are eligible for the eTA. Here’s the full list as follows:

• Andorra
• Anguilla
• Australia
• Austria
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Bermuda
• Brazil* (under certain conditions)
• British Virgin Islands
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Cayman Islands
• Chile
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Gibraltar
• Greece
• Hong Kong* (must have a Hong Kong passport)
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Israel (must have a national Israeli passport)
• Italy
• Japan
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Mexico
• Monaco
• Montserrat
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Papua New Guinea
• Pitcairn Island
• Poland
• Portugal
• Republic of Korea
• Romania* (electronic passport holders only)
• Saint Helena
• Samoa
• San Marino
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Solomon Islands
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States (Green Card holders)
• Vatican City State

If you’re eligible for the eTA, then you need only fill in the quick online form to obtain the entry pass. You’ll need a valid passport, plus some accompanying details including:

• Your email where you’ll receive the eTA.
• Your arrival and departure dates.
• Your full name.
• Your gender.
• Your nationality.
• Your birthday.
• The country where you were born.
• Your country of residence.
• Your passport details.

You also pay the Canadian government’s CAD $7 fee. 

Once you submit your application, you’ll receive your eTA in your email inbox within 24 hours. Your authorisation is electronically linked to your passport, so there’s no need to print the eTA, although you may wish to do so just in case. 

When you go to the airport, simply hand your passport to the border agent to be scanned, as you normally would when you travel abroad, At this point, you’re free to enter, and enjoy everything that Canada and Edmonton, Alberta have to offer!

More About Canada’s Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)

If you’re ineligible for the Electronic Travel Authorization, such as if you’re a citizen of India, then instead you must apply for a Visitor Visa to enter Canada. This generally allows multiple entries, meaning that you can enter and exit repeatedly while it’s valid. Once your application is approved, the Visa is attached to your passport, as proof that you’ve met the conditions to visit.

You apply for a Temporary Resident Visa in one of two ways, online or offline:

• Online application – Visit the official website of the government of Canada, where you create an online account to complete the process.
• Offline application – Here, you download the application package, print the forms and fill them in. Then, you pay the application charges, including the biometrics fee, and submit your application at a local Visa Application Center (VAC). 

The steps to apply for the Visitor Visa are as follows:

1. Compile the supporting documents for your application, namely:

1. 1. Your passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
   2. Two recent, colour photographs.
   3. A personal covering letter.
   4. Bank statements from the last six months.
   5. Income tax returns for the last three years.
   6. Supporting financial documents if needed.
   7. If you’ve previously travelled to Canada, a document showing your travel history.
   8. Documents that show your travel itinerary and what you plan to do in Canada.

In addition, you may be asked to submit proof of good health and a document that shows that you have no criminal history. Also, if you plan to stay with friends or relatives in Canada, you must get a letter of invitation from your sponsors.

Photo Requirements for Canada’s Visitor Visa

It’s worth noting that the Canadian government is strict about the photo requirements, so make sure that your photographs meet the standard as follows:

• Two recent photos, not more than three months old.
• Matt-finish, on good quality paper.
• Size: 45 mm x 35 mm.
• Colour and with your face-covering 80%.
• Full-face front with open eyes, looking straight.
• No shadows or blurs on a plain white background.
• Please remove any headgear and glasses, except for religious reasons.

2. Make your application. To do this online, you create an account on the Canadian government’s website, upload your supporting documents, and pay the fees. The Canadian government charges a fee of CAD $100 for the Visitor Visa. In addition, as part of your application, you pay a CAD $85 fee for your biometric data to be taken.

3. Visit a Visa Application Center (VAC) to submit your biometrics data.

4. Send your passport to Canada’s visa application authorities.

5. Lastly, your application will be approved, and your passport sent back to you with the valid Visa pasted inside. At this point, you’re free to catch your flight to Canada, to visit Edmonton, Alberta!

Tips to Keep in Mind for Your Visa Application

Here are some tips to make sure that your visa application is approved on the first go:

• The eTA and Visitor Visas are for tourism or business trips – If you plan to enter Canada for another reason, such as to study or work, you’ll require another visa.

• Double-check your application before submitting it – This will ensure that you’ve entered your details correctly.

• Provide accurate supporting documents – Along with the application form itself, it’s important to make sure that your supporting documents, like your bank statements, are correct and in order.

• Carry your children’s or minors’ documents – If you’re travelling with a minor, the parents or guardian must carry the minor’s birth certificate, their passport, and a letter of authorisation signed by the parent.

• Ensure that you’ve got health insurance to cover your trip – This will help give you peace of mind while you’re in Canada, so you can focus on enjoying your visit.

With this information to hand, you now have a clear idea of which entry pass you’ll require to enter Canada, and how to obtain it. Whether you’re eligible for the eTA or the standard Visitor Visa, have a fantastic time in Edmonton and the surrounding province of Alberta, whether you’re visiting the sunflower maze, the Hard Luck canyon or other top family-friendly attractions!