Good news for travellers to Canada: an e-Visa lets you apply online without visiting an embassy. This guide walks through the online application step by step in 2026 — fees, documents, processing and common mistakes.
Canada visa at a glance
| Visa required? | Yes, for many nationalities |
|---|---|
| Main visa type | Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) |
| Government fee | CAD 7 per applicant |
| Processing time | Often within minutes; some cases take several days if documents are requested |
| Validity | Up to 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first (multiple entries) |
| Permitted stay | 180 days |
| Where to apply | https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html |
| HolidaySG assistance fee | S$65 per applicant (usually S$100) |
Canada e-Visa at a glance
- Fee: CAD 7 per applicant
- Processing: Often within minutes; some cases take several days if documents are requested
- Validity: Up to 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first (multiple entries)
- Permitted stay: 180 days
- Where to apply: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html
Canada has no visa-on-arrival. Visa-exempt air travellers (including Singapore passport holders) need an eTA. Indian passport holders normally need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), but can use an eTA if they hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa or have held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years and are arriving by air.
How to apply for the Canada e-Visa online
- Open the official e-Visa portal (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html) and start a new application.
- Fill in your passport and travel details exactly as they appear in your passport.
- Upload a scan of your passport bio page and a compliant photo.
- Pay the fee (CAD 7 per applicant) by card.
- Wait for the emailed approval (Often within minutes; some cases take several days if documents are requested), then print or save it to show on arrival.
Documents you upload
- Valid passport
- Payment card (credit/debit)
- Valid email address
- Travel details
Common mistakes, delays and rejection reasons
From handling Canada visa applications, these are the issues that most often cause delays or refusals. Avoiding them is the single biggest thing you can control:
- Passport validity: many countries require at least six months' validity beyond your travel dates — renew early if yours is close.
- Insufficient proof of funds: bank statements that are too thin, too new, or not in your name are a common reason for delays. Show a stable balance over the last 3–6 months.
- Photo specification errors: wrong size, background colour, glasses or a smile can bounce an application. Follow the exact spec for Canada.
- Applying too late: submit well before departure — allow the full processing window plus a buffer, not the minimum.
- Mismatched documents: names, dates and passport numbers must match exactly across your form, flight and hotel bookings.
- Weak ties to your home country: employment letters, leave approval and return bookings help show you intend to return.
- Prior overstays or refusals: declare them honestly; hiding history causes more problems than the history itself.
- Forgetting the arrival card: None (ArriveCAN optional for customs) — complete it in the correct window or you can be delayed at the border.
Before you travel to Canada
- Arrival card / declaration: None (ArriveCAN optional for customs)
- Onward or return ticket: carry proof — airlines and immigration can ask for it.
- Funds: have evidence of enough money for your stay (card and some local currency).
- Travel insurance: strongly recommended, and mandatory for some destinations.
- Copies: keep a digital and paper copy of your visa/approval and passport photo page.
Things to do once your Canada visa is sorted
Popular experiences in Canada you can book on HolidaySG:
- Canada - Unlimited 4G/5G Data eSIM — from USD 22
- Toronto Pearson International Airport Transfer — from CAD 12
- eSIM Amerika T-Mobile Call SMS & Data | SIM America USA Mexico Canada — from IDR 275,128
Official sources
- IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) — verified 19 August 2026
- IRCC — verified 19 August 2026
Last updated 20 August 2026. Written and reviewed by the HolidaySG visa team and checked against the official sources above (facts verified 19 August 2026). Visa rules change and depend on your passport, residence and purpose of travel — always confirm with the official source before booking, or use our visa checker. HolidaySG re-confirms current requirements at the time of your application.