Canadian Visa Application in the U.S. — 2026 Guide

U.S. citizens do not need a visa or a travel authorisation to visit Canada. Permanent residents of the United States who are not U.S. citizens do: they need an electronic travel authorisation to fly to Canada, and they must carry their green card as well as a valid passport.

Quick facts

Everything is filed online with the immigration department. Missions in the United States do not accept visitor visa applications over a counter, and biometrics are given at a designated collection point.

Fees breakdown

Biometrics, once given, count for ten years across most applications, which makes a second application considerably simpler than the first.

How to apply

1. Check your nationality: U.S. citizens need nothing, other nationalities need either a travel authorisation or a visa.
2. Create an account on the immigration portal and complete the application for the category.
3. Pay the fee and, where required, the biometrics charge.
4. Attend a biometrics appointment at a designated collection point.
5. Submit supporting documents through the portal as requested.
6. Travel with the passport linked to the authorisation or visa, plus your U.S. status document.

Required documents

• Passport valid for the trip.
• Green card or other evidence of U.S. status for non-U.S. citizens.
• Evidence of funds and of ties to your country of residence.
• Purpose-of-travel documents: invitation, conference registration or itinerary.
• Employment or study documents where the category requires them.
• Photographs and biometrics as requested by the portal.

Where to apply

Online, to the immigration department. Missions provide information and passport services rather than visa intake.

Additional notes

Carry the green card

Permanent residents flying to Canada must present the green card at check-in as well as the travel authorisation. Airlines check both.

Land crossings

The travel authorisation applies to air travel. Entering by land or sea has its own document requirements.

Criminal inadmissibility

Past convictions, including driving offences, can make a traveller inadmissible to Canada regardless of nationality. That is resolved through a separate application, not at the border.

Canadian citizens do not use these routes

Anyone who is a Canadian citizen travels on a Canadian passport and needs neither a visa nor an authorisation.