Planning a trip to Canada? Check your travel documents before you book. A visa, an eTA and a permit serve different purposes.

Start with your own situation

The document you need depends on your citizenship, passport and how you plan to travel. Many travellers need a visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA); some are exempt. A friend’s travel experience may be quite different from yours. Use IRCC’s entry-requirements tool to check the answer for yourself.

Already have a study or work permit?

A permit gives you permission to study or work under its conditions. It is not a visa. In most cases, you also need a valid visa or eTA to enter Canada. Check both before leaving, including when you are returning after a short trip.

Before you pack

Look at the passport you will use, the validity of your documents and your travel route. Keep this check separate from reviewing the conditions of your permit. If your circumstances have changed since your last visit, check again. Sorting this out early is much easier than discovering a problem when you are ready to leave.

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — What you need to enter Canada.

Contact me to discuss your immigration questions.