Canada entry requirements for United Kingdom passport holders
Verified May 11, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
British passport holders can visit Canada for up to 6 months without a visa – but if you're flying, you must get an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before boarding. If you arrive by land or sea, no eTA is needed. This applies in 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa required Apply for a visa | Apply for a Canadian visa at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada.html. Processing times vary by country — check the official portal for current wait times. Submit your application at least 8 weeks before your travel date. | Required |
| Valid passport Must cover your entire stay | Your passport must be valid for the full duration of your stay in Canada. Airlines and Canadian immigration enforce this strictly — no grace period for expired passports. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Canadian immigration officers routinely ask for proof of onward travel. Have a printed or digital copy of your return or onward ticket ready at the border. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended | Carry a hotel booking confirmation or a letter of invitation from your host. Officers may ask where you're staying, especially if you're a first-time visitor. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended | Have bank statements or a credit card showing you can support yourself during your stay. No fixed amount is required, but officers expect to see enough for accommodation, food, and transport. | Recommended |
eTA is mandatory for air travel – no exceptions
If you show up at the airport without an approved eTA, you will be denied boarding. The airline has no way to issue one on the spot. Apply at least 72 hours before departure, though approval often comes within minutes.
eTA is not a visa
Some websites mix up eTA and a visa. They are different. An eTA is a quick authorisation for visa‑exempt travellers. You do not need a visa sticker in your passport. If a third‑party site asks for more than CAD $7, you're being overcharged.
What happens at the border
1
Apply for eTA (if flying)
Use the official Canadian government eTA website – not a third‑party site. Fill in your passport details, pay CAD $7 with a credit card. Approval usually comes within minutes by email. Do this at least a few days before your flight, just in case.
2
At the airport (air travel) or border crossing
For air travel: show your boarding pass and passport. The airline will verify your eTA before you board. At Canadian customs (e.g., Toronto Pearson or Vancouver International), use a self‑service kiosk or the eDeclaration app to submit your customs declaration. Then see a border officer who will check your passport and may ask a few questions (purpose of visit, accommodation, return plans). For land/sea entry: no eTA needed. Present your passport and answer routine questions.
3
Receive entry stamp and authorised stay
The officer will stamp your passport and say how long you can stay – usually 6 months for UK tourists. They might write a date by hand. Check the stamp before leaving the counter. If you're not sure, just ask politely: 'How many days am I allowed to stay?'
Download Canada Entry Checklist
PDF · United Kingdom Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 11, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stayUp to 6 months per entry
ValidityTypically 6 months from issue date
CostCAD 100 (~USD 75)
Standard visitor visa for tourism or family visits.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stayUp to 6 months per entry
ValidityUp to 10 years (or passport validity)
CostCAD 100 (~USD 75)
Convenient for frequent travellers; same fee as single entry.
Super visa (parents/grandparents)
Max stayUp to 2 years per entry
ValidityUp to 10 years
CostCAD 100 (~USD 75)
For parents/grandparents of Canadian citizens or PRs; requires medical insurance.
Work permit (employer-specific)
Max stayVaries by permit
ValidityUp to 2 years (renewable)
CostCAD 155 (~USD 116)
Requires a job offer and Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) in most cases.
work visa
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
Up to 2 years, renewable
CAD 155 (~USD 115) employer compliance fee + CAD 100 (~USD 75) work permit fee
For skilled workers with a job offer from a Canadian employer. Requires Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Allows work and potential pathway to permanent residence.
Apply student visa
Study Permit
Duration of study program + 90 days, renewable
CAD 150 (~USD 112)
For international students accepted at a designated learning institution. Allows part-time work on campus and off-campus after 6 months.
Apply digital nomad visa
Canada's Digital Nomad Strategy (no specific visa)
Up to 6 months as a visitor, then may apply for work permit
Varies; visitor entry is free, work permit CAD 155 (~USD 115)
Canada encourages digital nomads to work remotely while visiting. No dedicated visa yet; stay as a visitor for up to 6 months, then consider a work permit if eligible.
retirement visa
No specific retirement visa; use Super Visa for parents/grandparents
Up to 2 years per entry
CAD 100 (~USD 75) for Super Visa
Canada does not have a retirement visa. Retirees may visit as tourists or, if they have children/grandchildren in Canada, apply for a Super Visa for longer stays.
Apply Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)Standard fee for a single-entry visitor visa. | CAD 100 (~USD 75) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries during validity. | CAD 100 (~USD 75) |
| Biometrics feeRequired for most applicants; includes fingerprinting and photo. | CAD 85 (~USD 64) |
| Stay extension (visitor record)Fee to apply for extending your stay as a visitor. | CAD 100 (~USD 75) |
| Overstay fine per dayPenalty for overstaying visa or authorized period. | CAD 200 per day (max CAD 4,000) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete application20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Canada
No transit visa needed
UK passport holders do not need a transit visa to change flights in Canada, provided they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport or clearing customs, a visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA) may be required.
Transit hubsToronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) · Vancouver International Airport (YVR) · Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Health & vaccines for Canada
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTyphoidConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Lyme diseaseModerate risk
Tick-borne disease in wooded areas; use insect repellent and check for ticks.
West Nile virusLow risk
Mosquito-borne; risk is low but present in summer months in some regions.
Foodborne illnessLow risk
Generally safe food and water; standard hygiene practices recommended.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Ottawa
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – Ottawa Office
219 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, ON K1A 1L1
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
For in-person inquiries by appointment only; most applications are online.
Toronto
IRCC – Toronto Office
25 St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto, ON M4T 1M2
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Handles visitor record extensions and other applications; appointments required.
Practical information for GB travellers
Country basics
CapitalOttawa
LanguageEnglish, French
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid in Canada.
Money
CurrencyCanadian Dollar (CAD)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1.37 CAD
Time zone
Local timeUTC-5
vs New YorkSame to -3h depending on province
vs Los AngelesSame to +3h depending on province
Electricity
Voltage120V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BType A, B — same as the US. No adapter needed.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe to drink in all major cities.
Emergency numbers
Getting to Canada
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Canada — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No. UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourist visits up to 6 months. But if you travel by air, you must get an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before boarding. eTA is not a visa – it's a quick online pre‑approval that costs CAD $7 and lasts up to 5 years.
Most UK visitors are allowed up to 6 months per entry. The border officer sets the exact duration on the spot – always check the stamp. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for an extension from inside Canada, but do it before the expiry.
No – if you arrive by land (car, bus, train) or by sea (ferry, private boat), you do not need an eTA. You just present your passport at the border crossing. eTA is only required for air travel.
No. You must apply and receive approval before your flight. Airline staff will check it at check‑in. There is no way to obtain an eTA at the airport. Apply online at canada.ca/eta well in advance.
Yes – the eTA is electronically linked to your passport number. If you renew your passport, you must apply for a new eTA (it costs another CAD $7). The old eTA becomes invalid once the passport it's linked to expires.
A tourist visa waiver (or eTA) does not allow work or study beyond very short courses (under 6 months). For work, you need a work permit. For most study programs, you need a study permit. Apply to the Canadian visa office in London before you travel.
Yes – apply online for a visitor record extension from inside Canada before your authorised stay expires. There's a fee (about CAD $100). Approval is not guaranteed. Overstaying without permission can affect future travel.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 11, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.