As part of its joint agreement with the United States to better secure both the countries’ borders, from August 2015 onwards Canada started a Visa Waiver programme for certain Visa exempt countries whose citizens could travel to Canada by applying for an Electronic Travel Authorization Document instead, which is known as the eTA for Canada or CANADA VISA APPLICATION ONLINE.
The Canada Visa Online works as a Visa Waiver document for foreign nationals from certain eligible (Visa Exempt) countries who can travel to Canada without having to obtain a Visa from the Canadian Embassy or Consulate but instead visit the country on the eTA for Canada which can be applied for and obtained online.
The Canada eTA performs the same function as the Canada Visa but it is much more easily obtained and the process is faster too. Canada eTA is valid for business, touristic or transit purposes only.
The validity period of your eTA is different than the duration of stay. While eTA is valid for 5 years, you duration cannot exceed 6 months. You may enter Canada at any time within the validity period.
It is quick process which requires you filling an Canada Visa Application Form online, this can be as little as five (5) minutes to complete. Canada eTA is issued after the application form has been successfully completed and fee paid by the applicant online.
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What is Canada Visa Application?
Canada Visa Application is an electronic online form as recommended by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), to be completed by those who intend to enter CANADA VISA ONLINE HELPDESK for short trips.
This Canada Visa Application is a replacement of paper-based process. Also, you can save a trip to Canadian Embassy, because the Canada Visa Online (eTA Canada) is issued by email against your passport details. Most applicants can complete the Canada Visa Application Online in under five minutes, and they are discouraged by the Canadian Government from visiting Canadian Embassy to apply paper based process. You require an internet connected browser, email address and Paypal or Credit/Debit card to pay the fees online.
Once, Canada Visa Application is filled online on this website, it is vetted by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to check for your identity. Most of the Canada Visa Applications are decided in under 24 hours and some could take upto 72 hours. The decision of Canada Visa Online is communicated to you by the email address provided.
Once the Canada Visa Online outcome is decided, you can keep the record of email on your phone or print it out before visiting the Cruise Ship or Airport. You do not need any physical stamp on your passport because the airport immigration staff will check for your visa on the computer. You need to makes sure the details filled in Canada Visa Application on this website must match exactly as far as your first name, surname, data of birth, passport number and passport issue and passport expiry date are concerned to avoid being rejected at the airport at the time of boarding flight.
Who can apply for Canada Visa Online (or Canada eTA)
Only citizens of the following countries are exempted from obtaining a Visa to travel to Canada and must apply instead for the eTA to Canada.
Citizens of Canada and the United States need only their Canadian or U.S. Passports to travel to Canada.
US lawful Permanent Residents, who are in possession of a U.S. Green Card also do not require Canada eTA. When you travel, make sure to bring
– a valid passport from your country of nationality
– proof of your status as a permanent resident of the U.S., such as a valid green card (officially known as a permanent resident card)
Only those visitors who are traveling to Canada by air through a commercial or chartered flight need to apply for the eTA to Canada.
