VISITING CANADA
Every year more than 35 million people visit Canada. Canada welcomes these visitors as tourists. As a visitor, you will enjoy the many opportunities Canada has to offer.
Before coming to Canada
To visit Canada you:
- must be healthy
- must respect Canadian laws
- will need a valid passport, proof of who you are or other travel documents
- will need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) if you are from Brazil, Croatia, Hungary, Seychelles, Slovak Rep. or South Africa. Print the Temporary Resident Visa application form with guide at www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/visa.html
- check with the Canadian visa office at www.cic.gc.ca/english/offices/missions.html in your country to see if there are any additional forms you need to fill out
- may need a letter of invitation.
Canada does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors. Make sure you have health insurance to pay your medical costs before you leave for Canada.
You may not be permitted to enter Canada if you have a criminal conviction, including a conviction for driving while impaired. Find out more about inadmissibility to Canada at www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/inadmissibility.html
Read important information on the new Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record program (API/PNR) at www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/api.html
Contact a Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate for information on what you will need before coming to Canada at www.cic.gc.ca/english/offices/missions.html
Borders and Customs
Canada has one of the most advanced customs organizations in the world, and our borders and the processes we have in place to manage them are critical to our ability to provide Canadians and visitors to Canada with the security and opportunity they expect. Visitors entering Canada must clear Canada Customs border security upon entry.
Bringing children into Canada
If you are travelling with children, you should carry identification for each child. Divorced parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of the legal custody documents. Adults who are not parents or guardians should have written permission from the parents or guardians to supervise the children. When travelling with a group of vehicles, parents or guardians should travel in the same vehicle as the children when arriving at the border. Customs officers are looking for missing children and may ask questions about the children who are travelling with you.
Once you arrive:
An officer will ask you a few short questions when you arrive. To make this go quickly, keep your passport with you and not in your luggage.
The officer will stamp your passport or advise you how long you may stay in Canada. Feel free to ask questions if you are unsure about anything.
