Visa Canada application

What is an eTA for Canada?

Since March 15, 2016, it is mandatory for all travelers to Canada to apply for a visa in advance. The electronic visa can be easily applied for via Traveldocs. However, you can only make use of this if you will be entering Canada by plane. The Electornic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an electronic visa, which you can apply for completely digitally. For a visa Canada application we only need a passport scan. So you no longer have to physically deliver documents to us or have to travel to the embassy yourself.

When can I use the eTa?

You can use the eTA when you want to travel to Canada for the following reasons:

• Holiday purposes
• Business purposes
• Visiting friends and / or family
• For a switch (transit)

If for any reason you are not eligible for an eTA, or if you need to apply for a visa to work or follow a long study in Canada, you must apply for it in person through the service center of the Canadian Embassy in Düsseldorf.

In that case, Traveldocs can assist you with the preparatory work. Contact us for the possibilities and rates.

For whom is an eTA intended?

The electronic visa is mandatory for anyone planning to travel to Canada. Travelers who do not have a valid visa cannot check in and are immediately refused when boarding the plane. Even with a (short) transfer where the airport will not be left, one must have an eTA. This also applies to children and babies.

Validity of an eTA Canada

An eTA is a multiple entry visa. This means that you can enter the country several times within the validity of the visa. There is no limit to this. You can have the eTA in your mailbox within 72 hours after submitting your application!

• An eTA is valid for 5 years or until the expiry date of your passport, whichever is earlier
• Within those 5 years – as long as you travel with the same valid passport – you can travel in and out of Canada an unlimited number of times
• Each stay may not last longer than 6 months consecutively

If your passport expired earlier than the eTA, or if you have a new passport, the eTA will expire and you will need to apply for a new one and pay for it again.

What other types of visa Canada application are available?

Canada has various types of visas. For example, the following visas are available:

• the eTA is intended for tourist, business and transit trips to Canada
• Temporary Resident visa (IMM 5257) is a visa for a stay longer than 6 months, or if you want to work or study in Canada. You must also provide biometric data for this.
• Parent and Grandparent Super visa is a visa that is specially intended for travelers who visit their (grand) children, who live permanently in Canada. The visa is valid for 10 years and is a stay of more than 2 years per visit.
• Study Permit is a permit to study in Canada. Certain conditions apply to this. Traveldocs can assist with the preparatory work.
• Work Permit is a permit to work in Canada.
• Working Holiday visa is a visa for persons between 18 and 30 years old who want to learn / work in Canada. You do not have to arrange an employer in advance for this visa and you can only use it once.

If you wish to apply for a visa type other than the eTA, please contact us well in advance. Our visa experts can work with you to find out what type of visa is required for your travel purpose and what you need to do to obtain this visa.