Canada has visa-exempt agreements with many countries, which means that citizens of these countries can visit Canada without a visa. If you hold a passport from a visa-exempt country, you can travel to Canada with an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if you are flying to Canada or with your passport if you are entering by land or sea.

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. An eTA is electronically linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.  If you get a new passport, you need to get a new eTA.

With a valid eTA, you can travel to Canada as often as you want for short stays (normally for up to six months at a time). You do not need an eTA for travel within Canada.

A super visa lets you visit your children or grandchildren for up to 2 years at a time. It’s a multi-entry visa that provides multiple entries for a period up to 10 years.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a super visa, you must:

• be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
• have a signed letter from your child or grandchild who invites you to Canada that includes: a promise of financial support for the length of your visit, the list and number of people in the household of this person, a copy of this person’s Canadian citizenship or permanent resident document
• have medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company that is: valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry, at least $100,000 coverage
• have proof that the medical insurance has been paid (quotes aren’t accepted

You must also:

• apply for a super visa from outside Canada
• be allowed to enter Canada
• take an immigration medical exam
• meet certain other conditions ( i.e. your ties to your home country, the purpose of your visit, your family and finances and the overall economic and political stability of your home country)

Business visitors are persons who stay in Canada for a few days or a few weeks to attend meetings or an event, and can stay for up to 6 months.

To qualify as a business visitor to Canada, you must show that

• you plan to stay for less than 6 months
• you don’t plan to enter the Canadian labour market
• your main place of business, and source of income and profits is outside Canada
• you have documents that support your application
• you meet Canada’s basic entry requirements, because you
  • have a valid travel document, such as a passport
  • have enough money for your stay and to return home
  • plan to leave Canada at the end of your visit
  • are not a criminal, security or health risk to Canadians

Activities you may conduct as a business visitor include

• buying Canadian goods or services for a foreign business or government
• taking orders for goods or services
• going to meetings, conferences, conventions or trade fairs
• giving after-sales service as part of a warranty or sales agreement
• being trained by a Canadian parent company that you work for outside Canada
• training employees of a Canadian branch of a foreign company
• being trained by a Canadian company that has sold you equipment or services

If you’re otherwise inadmissible but have a reason to travel to Canada that is justified in the circumstances, you may be issued a temporary resident permit.

To be eligible for a temporary resident permit, your need to enter or stay in Canada must outweigh the health or safety risks to Canadian society, as determined by an immigration or a border services officer. Even if the reason you’re inadmissible seems minor, you must demonstrate that your visit is justified.