Do you want to know how many times you can enter Canada in a year? then you're in the right place.
Canada is a very large country in the northern hemisphere, part of North America, and bordering the United States.
Thanks to its economic stability, benefits, and quality of life, many people want to make it their home or a destination for their vacations.
Because of this, knowing how many times you can enter Canada in a year is a really important aspect.
The Key: Type of Visa and eTA
The number of times you can visit Canada in one year depends on the type of visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) you have:
Multiple-entry visa
Allows you to enter and exit Canada as many times as you want while the visa is valid. Multiple-entry visas are valid for up to 10 years, or until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first.
Single-entry visa
Allows you to enter Canada once, and you may receive it only if:
- you’re eligible for a fee-exemption and the purpose of your entry to Canada is limited (such as, for an official visit by a foreign national);
- you’re coming for a one-time special event, celebration or tour in Canada;
- you’re coming for short-term studies (less than 6 months) or short-term work and don’t need a study or work permit; or there are approved country-specific procedures or guidelines in place
In most cases, once you have left Canada, you will need a new visa to enter Canada again. You won’t need a new visa if you’re only travelling to the United States (including its Territories and Possessions) or St. Pierre and Miquelon, and returning directly to Canada.
eTA
Allows you to travel to Canada as often as you want for short stays, usually up to six months at a time. An eTA is valid for up to five years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need a new eTA.
To apply for an eTA, you must:
- Complete an online form with personal information and details of your trip.
- Have a valid passport
- Have a credit card
- Have an email address
You can also apply for an extension of your visitor visa, but you must pay a fee and demonstrate that your stay in Canada is still temporary.
Which countries are exempt from having a VISA to enter Canada?
Nowadays, there are several countries that do not require any type of VISA to enter Canada. This is due to treaties generated or commercial links that each one may have.
Note: You will need an eTA anyways, and most applications are approved in a few minutes, but it is advisable to submit the application at least a few days before the planned departure date. Once the eTA is approved, it will be electronically linked to your passport.
Some of them are: Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Panamá, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, all members of the UE, and more.
Conclusions
Finally, we can see how there are many variants when it comes to entering Canada, depending on your particular situation and the exceptions that can be made.
However, we hope this information has been useful to know how many times you can enter Canada in a year, in addition to the visa and eTA issues.
If you have any questions or need personalized guidance, book an appointment with us here.
