Do I need a visa to enter Canada as a tourist?

What the Law Says

Canada’s immigration law sets out who must have a visa before entering the country — and who is exempt.

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), most foreign nationals must hold a valid visa before entering Canada. This applies to tourists, visitors, and other temporary residents unless they are specifically exempted by regulation.

The law does not list every exempt country in the statute itself — instead, exemptions are set out in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. For example, citizens of the United States, certain European countries (like the UK, France, or Germany), Australia, and Japan do not need a visa, but many still need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if flying to Canada.

The requirement is strict: without a visa or authorized exemption (like an eTA or visa exemption), a foreign national may be denied boarding or entry at the border.

Statutory Text

Foreign nationals must have a visa before entering Canada unless exempt by regulation.

— Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, s. 11 — Visa requirement

What to Do

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