Visa Exemptions to Canada because of Nationality

Altan is a Mongolian citizen. He intends to tour Canada next month. However, he is not clear as to whether he needs to obtain a visa or not. Alton will visit Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, and Edmonton while he will be in Canada. His stay is less than a month. In spite of his enthusiasm, the immigration laws are confusing to him.

Canada welcomes millions of visitors every year. However, most of the visitors to Canada are the US citizens who are exempt from visas or eTAs to enter our country. Luckily, many other visitors to Canada may also visit Canada without the need to obtain a visa.

What does it mean to be exempt from a visa?

If a person is a foreign national to Canada, they may need a visa for the following reasons:

• Tourism,
• visiting relatives or friends,
• attending seminars or conferences,
• staying with their fiancé for a short time,
• doing business without entering the Canadian workforce,
• working in Canada under jobs that are exempt from a work permit,
• studying in Canada when obtaining a study permit is not necessary, or
• any other reason that involves visiting Canada for a short time without working or studying.

We call such visas a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). The process of obtaining a TRV is relatively complicated and time-consuming nowadays. Read the following article for more information:

• How to Get a Visit Visa to Canada (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV)

If you are exempt from a TRV, then you don’t need to go through the TRV application process. However, remember, if you intend to work, study, or immigrate to Canada, you still need to apply for proper documents. Despite being exempt from a TRV, most visa-exempt visitors to Canada need to go through a security screening process called eTA. Read the following article for more details.

• What is an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)?

If you are a US citizen, then you are exempt from both TRVs and eTAs.

Exemption from TRV because of nationality

The following nationalities are exempt from TRVs [practitioners see R190(1) and Schedule 1.1 of IRPR]:

• British citizens
• British overseas citizens who are re-admissible to the UK
• Citizens of the following British overseas territories (conditions may apply):
  • Anguilla,
  • Bermuda,
  • The British Virgin Islands,
  • The Cayman Islands,
  • The Falkland Islands,
  • Gibraltar,
  • Montserrat,
  • Pitcairn Island,
  • Saint Helena, or
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
• The US citizens
• A person who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States (e.g. Green Card holders)
• Citizens of the following countries:
  • Andorra
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belgium
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Bulgaria
  • Chile
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Federal Republic of Germany
  • Finland
  • France
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Republic of Korea
  • Samoa
  • San Marino
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • United Arab Emirates

Notes:

(1) Canada added 13 countries to the visa-exemption list in June 2023. However, the citizens of those countries are visa-exempt under certain circumstances.

(2) This list is subject to change. Double-check with IRCC or our office to make sure the information is up-to-date.

What to do if my nationality is on the list?

Unless you are a US citizen, you may still need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to visit Canada. However, eTA is a simple online process that costs every member of your family $7 (Canadian Dollars). It is not a visa application but a security screening process. Most people can easily handle an eTA application without help. However, we will gladly assist you with it, especially if you have potentially troubling issues.

What to do if I am inadmissible to Canada?

Some people could be inadmissible to Canada. If you are one of them, then you may need to apply for one or some of the following documents:

• A Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)
• An Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC)
• A Record Suspension or Acquittal
• Claim deemed rehabilitation
• A Rehabilitation Application

Consider booking a consultation session with our immigration consultant for more information.

What to do if my nationality is not on the list?

If your nationality is not on the list, you may still be exempt from a TRV because of the documents you hold or the purpose of visit. If none of those apply to you, then you need a TRV.

What if my purpose of the visit is studying, working, or immigration?

If you intend to study, work, or immigrate to Canada, then read one of the following articles or fill out our assessment form.

• Study Permit – Study Visa – International Students in Canada
• Three Steps to Work in Canada
• Canada Immigration Options

Remember, with some exceptions; you need proper permits to achieve any of those goals.

If you wish to visit or move to Canada, please fill out our free assessment form. We will review the form for free, but we will contact you only if we find an opportunity for you. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session. Consultation sessions are not free, but you will receive formal advice from a licenced practitioner.

Al Parsai, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada

Disclaimer:
This article provides information of a general nature only. It may no longer be current. It does not give legal advice. Do not rely on it as legal advice or immigration advice. We cannot be held responsible for the content of these articles. If you have specific legal questions, you must consult a lawyer. If you are looking for immigration advice, book an appointment. All the characters in the articles are fictional, unless otherwise clearly stated. Any resemblance in names, dates, and places (whether individuals, organizations, regions, or countries) is coincidental.