Everything international travellers need to know about entry documents, costs, and processing times before visiting Canada this year.
Canada is expecting a surge of international visitors in 2026, largely thanks to the FIFA World Cup 26™, which will see matches played in Toronto and Vancouver alongside host cities across the US and Mexico. If a trip to Canada is on your calendar this year, whether for the World Cup, business, or just tourism, getting your Canada entry requirements sorted early is one of the smartest things you can do. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is actively urging travellers to apply well ahead of their trip to avoid delays.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly who needs a Canada eTA, who needs a visitor visa, how much each costs, how long they take, and what’s different for 2026.
Do You Need a Canada eTA or a Visitor Visa? (Step 1)
Not every visitor needs the same document. Canada sorts travellers into a few categories, and what applies to you depends on your citizenship and how you’re arriving (air, land, or sea).
Before doing anything else, use IRCC’s official eligibility tool to check what’s required for your specific situation: 👉 Check if you need an eTA or visa
Broadly, here’s how it breaks down:
- Visa-exempt travellers flying to Canada need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). This isn’t required if you’re arriving by land, bus, train, or boat, only by air.
- Citizens of certain visa-required countries may now qualify for an eTA instead of a full visa when travelling by air. Notably, citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia became newly eligible for eTAs (instead of visitor visas) for air travel as of May 26, 2026, provided they meet specific requirements.
- Most other visa-required travellers need a visitor visa (also called a temporary resident visa), regardless of how they’re arriving.
- U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement entirely but still need a valid U.S. passport or other approved ID.
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents don’t need either citizens (including dual citizens) travel on a valid Canadian passport, and permanent residents use their PR card or PR travel document.
How the Canada eTA Works in 2026 (Step 2)
For most visa-exempt travellers flying into Canada, the eTA is the relevant document. Here’s what it involves:
- Cost: CAD $7
- Validity: Up to 5 years, or until your passport expires whichever comes first
- Processing: Most applications are approved within minutes, though some take several days if additional documents are requested
- What you need to apply: A valid passport, a credit or debit card, and an email address
- Where to apply: Only through the official Government of Canada eTA website third-party sites that charge more are not affiliated with IRCC
A few important details:
- The eTA is electronically linked to the exact passport used in your application. If you get a new passport before travelling, you need a new eTA.
- Double-check that the passport number in your approval email matches your physical passport exactly mismatches can stop you from boarding your flight.
- An eTA only covers air travel. If you’re planning to enter by land or sea, different rules apply, and visa-required travellers in that case would need a visitor visa instead.
- Holding an eTA doesn’t guarantee entry. A border services officer still has final say when you arrive.
How to Apply for a Canada Visitor Visa (Step 3)
If you’re not eligible for an eTA, you’ll need a visitor visa. Key facts:
- Starting fee: CAD $100
- Processing time: Varies significantly by country, check current processing times before you plan your trip, and note that this estimate doesn’t include time needed for biometrics
- Biometrics: Many applicants are required to submit fingerprints and a photo as part of the process
- If you already hold a valid visitor visa, you can continue using it until it expires — no need to reapply.
FIFA World Cup 26™ Travel Requirements for Canada (Step 4)
There’s no special “World Cup visa.” Fans, players, media, and workers all go through the standard eTA or visitor visa process based on their citizenship and travel method. A few World Cup specific notes:
- You don’t need a match ticket to apply for an eTA or visa, but having one also doesn’t guarantee your application will be approved.
- IRCC recommends flagging that you’re travelling for the World Cup in your application (there’s a free-text field in both the eTA and visitor visa forms), though this is for tracking purposes only and doesn’t fast-track approval.
- Players, match officials, media, and FIFA-invited volunteers or workers don’t need a work permit, but they still need an eTA or visitor visa to enter the country.
- Workers not invited directly by FIFA may need a separate work permit depending on their role.
- IRCC is warning travellers to be cautious of fraud: no immigration consultant or agent can guarantee you a visa or eTA, and submitting false information even through a representative can result in a 5-year ban from Canada.
A Few Practical Tips for Your Blog Readers
- Apply before booking flights, not after. Since an eTA is checked at check-in, a delay or issue can leave you unable to board.
- Only use the official Canada.ca domain to apply scam sites charging inflated “processing fees” are common, especially around major events like the World Cup.
- Former Canadian permanent residents should double check their status PR status doesn’t expire on its own, so some past residents may still hold it without realizing.
- Visa or eTA approval isn’t a guarantee of entry border officers make the final call, so travellers should be ready to explain their trip and show supporting documents on arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions About Canada Entry Requirements
Do I need an eTA or a visa to visit Canada in 2026? It depends on your citizenship and how you’re travelling. Visa-exempt citizens flying to Canada need an eTA; most other travellers need a visitor visa. Use the official eligibility tool to check your specific case.
How much does a Canada eTA cost? CAD $7 per application, and it’s valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires.
How long does a Canada eTA take to process? Most are approved within minutes, though some take several days if IRCC requests additional documents.
How long does a Canada visitor visa take to process? Processing times vary by country of application. Always check the current processing times tool before booking travel, since it doesn’t account for biometrics appointments.
Do I need a special visa to attend the FIFA World Cup 26 in Canada? No. There’s no dedicated “World Cup visa.” Fans, media, and FIFA-invited workers all apply through the standard eTA or visitor visa process based on their citizenship.
Can I apply for a Canada eTA or visa myself, or do I need help? You can apply yourself directly through the official Canada.ca website. That said, many travellers especially those with prior refusals, complex travel history, or tight timelines around events like the World Cup choose to work with an immigration consultant to reduce the risk of errors or delays.
How Callmaimo Consulting Can Help
Immigration paperwork is one of those things that looks simple until it isn’t. A single typo in a passport number, an incomplete travel history, or a missed supporting document can turn a same day eTA approval into a weeks-long headache — or a costly refusal that stays on your record.
This is where Callmaimo Consulting comes in. As a travel and immigration consulting service, Callmaimo can help prospective visitors to Canada:
- Determine the correct pathway, eTA vs. visitor visa based on your citizenship, travel history, and method of entry
- Prepare and review applications before submission to catch errors that commonly cause delays or refusals
- Navigate biometrics requirements and appointment scheduling for visitor visa applicants
- Plan around high-demand periods, like the FIFA World Cup 26™, when application volumes and the risk of scams spike
- Avoid common fraud traps, by working only through verified, transparent channels rather than unofficial third-party sites that overcharge for basic services
- Troubleshoot past refusals, helping travellers with a prior denial understand what went wrong and how to strengthen a new application
Whether you’re a first-time visitor, a returning traveller with a complicated immigration history, or a group organizing travel for a business trip or major event, Callmaimo Consulting can take the guesswork out of the process so you can focus on planning your trip instead of second-guessing your paperwork.
Bottom Line
With the World Cup drawing huge numbers of travellers to Canada this year, application backlogs are a real risk. The core message from IRCC is simple: check your requirement type now, and apply as early as possible, ideally months before your trip, not weeks.
For the most current and personalized information, always check the official Government of Canada visitor page before applying and if you’d rather not navigate it alone, Callmaimo Consulting is ready to help. www.callmaimo.com
