eTA or visa for Canada? How to tell which one you need
It depends on your nationality, how you arrive in Canada and, for some countries, whether you hold a US visa or held a Canadian one.
In short: the eTA (CAD $7, usually approved within minutes) is for citizens of visa-exempt countries who fly to Canada. The visitor visa (CAD $100 + CAD $85 biometrics) is for those who do not qualify for the eTA or who arrive by land or sea.
The general rule
- Is your country visa-exempt? If you fly, you need an eTA. If you arrive by land or sea, your passport is enough.
- Is your country in the conditional eTA program (Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama, Uruguay, among others)? You can apply for the eTA if you fly and either held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years or hold a valid US non-immigrant visa. If not, or if you arrive by land or sea, you need a visa.
- Does your country require a visa? You need a visitor visa, however you arrive.
By country (Latin America and Spain)
| Passport country | To fly to Canada you need |
|---|---|
| Chile | eTA |
| Spain | eTA |
| Mexico | eTA if you meet the conditions*; otherwise a visa |
| Argentina | eTA if you meet the conditions*; otherwise a visa |
| Brazil | eTA if you meet the conditions*; otherwise a visa |
| Costa Rica | eTA if you meet the conditions*; otherwise a visa |
| Panama | eTA if you meet the conditions*; otherwise a visa |
| Uruguay | eTA if you meet the conditions*; otherwise a visa |
| Colombia | Visitor visa |
| Peru | Visitor visa |
| Ecuador | Visitor visa |
| Guatemala | Visitor visa |
| El Salvador | Visitor visa |
| Honduras | Visitor visa |
| Dominican Republic | Visitor visa |
| Venezuela | Visitor visa |
* Having held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years (a previous eTA does not count) or holding a US non-immigrant visa that is valid on the day you apply, and travelling by air. If your country is not listed here, check the official list.
Key differences
| eTA | Visitor visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee | CAD $7 | CAD $100 + CAD $85 biometrics |
| Process | Online, usually minutes | Online, with biometrics and more documents; takes weeks or months |
| How you arrive | By air only | Air, land or sea |
| Validity | Up to 5 years or until the passport expires | As stated on the visa |
If you qualify for the eTA, it is almost always the faster and cheaper option. If you do not, we can help with the visitor visa.
Want us to check it for you?
If you are not sure which one applies to you, we go through it with you before starting any application.
Rather talk to someone first? Message us on WhatsApp
Frequently asked questions
I am Mexican and have no US visa. What do I need?
If you never held a Canadian visa (or held it more than 10 years ago) and do not hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, you need a visitor visa.
I am Chilean and will enter by land from the United States. Do I need an eTA?
No. The eTA is only required to arrive by air. By land, citizens of visa-exempt countries enter with their passport.
Can I have an eTA and a visa at the same time?
If you hold a valid Canadian visitor visa, you travel with it; you do not also need an eTA.
Where do I confirm what I need for my country?
In the Government of Canada's official tool, which asks for your nationality, travel document and how you are travelling. If you are unsure, we go through it with you.
Official sources
- Entry requirements by country
- eTA for citizens of some visa-required countries
- eTA facts (validity, passport, entry)
- IRCC official fees
Updated: September 2026. Rules can change; always confirm on canada.ca before you travel.