Canada is a country that offers many opportunities both for its citizens and residents, and for those who simply want to spend a pleasant holiday. The quality of life and services offered to citizens and visitors is very high, which is why Canada is known as one of the most liveable countries in the world, making it a very popular destination for travellers. While some do so for work or study reasons, most visitors simply want to take a holiday, or visit family or friends who live there.
Before leaving, however, you need to prepare the documents to go to Canada. In fact, to visit the country and discover its wonders, you may need to have a Canadian tourist visa and the eTA Canada. Let's see in detail all the useful information for this purpose.
Documents needed to visit Canada: the tourist visa
Before choosing Canada as a destination, it is important to consider the documents needed to cross the Canadian borders, tourist visa above all. To gain greater clarity on the travel documents needed to enter Canada, it is possible to examine how the tourist visa works, known as a visitor visa .
This document, issued by the Canadian government, allows those coming from India, the United States or other countries, to have the opportunity to visit, study and work in any part of its vast territory.
Indian citizens need a visa to travel to Canada, even for visits of up to 6 months.
An Indian citizen's visa does not extend the validity of their Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for Canada, but an eTA can be extended to allow a longer stay in Canada.
You will need proof of payment showing the amount paid, photocopy of the information page of your passport or valid travel document, which includes passport number, dates of issue and expiry, photo, name, date and place of birth. You must include proof that you can support yourself and any family members accompanying you while you are in Canada. Minors traveling alone or with one parent must provide a letter of authorization from the other unaccompanied parent, or a letter of authorization signed by both parents and legal guardians, with the custody documents.What are the types of tourist visas for Canada?
When we think about visitor visa, we must keep in mind that there are two categories of Canadian tourist visa:
single entry visa: valid for one time only, upon expiration of this type of visa, anyone wishing to return to Canada will have to make a new application at the relevant embassy or consulate;
multiple entry visa: this type of Canadian tourist visa is valid for up to 10 years. Multiple entry is recommended for those who already plan to make multiple trips to Canada. It is important to note that each of these stays cannot last more than 6 months.
The Canada Border Services Agency, the Canadian agency responsible for monitoring Canada's borders, always has the right to refuse entry even to those in possession of a tourist visa. This can be justified, for example, when the actual reason for the stay does not correspond to what was declared when applying for the visa.
What are the limitations of the Canada tourist visa?
Although it may seem strange at first, there are limitations to the tourist visa to enter Canada. In fact, it is completely forbidden for those who enter Canada with a tourist visa:
- carry out any professional activity, including work as a clerk or babysitter;
- take part in internships, regardless of whether they are paid or not;
follow semester studies. - Each of these activities listed corresponds to a specific type of visa.
Therefore, it is necessary to apply in New Delhi, at the Canadian Embassy, in order to fulfill all the requirements to obtain the Canadian visa that meets your travel needs.
Canadian Tourist Visa for Indians
As previously mentioned, those who are about to travel to Canada will need to obtain the visa. India is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, which includes 51 countries, plus the British Overseas Territories.
Interested parties can apply for a Canada eTA in just a few steps and receive it in their email account as soon as it is issued.
How does the Canada eTA work?
The Electronic Travel Authorization for Canada (in short, eTA) is the procedure for obtaining a Canadian travel permit. The procedure for this document is certainly more streamlined than that normally associated with the visa. Once approved, it is possible to travel to Canadian territory for a maximum period of 180 days.
The eTA welcomes in Canada: tourists, people who need to visit friends and/or relatives who live there, people who need medical care, people who need to attend social events, musical concerts, sporting events or other events for which the applicant will not receive any remuneration.
The authorization is also sufficient for those who plan to meet business partners or take part in business meetings, conferences and training courses. Even in these cases, no remuneration should be foreseen, except for expense reimbursements. The Canadian visa remains indispensable for study, work, or emigration and must be requested at the relevant Canadian embassy or consulate.
How to apply for eTA: 100% online procedure
The procedure for obtaining an eTA Canada is very similar to that for entering the United States, which leads to the granting of an ESTA. The eTA is characterized by the fact that it is electronically linked to your passport number. Its duration, equal to 5 years, can be reduced if the passport is expected to expire before the end of the five-year period.
Arriving in Canada by land from the United States, or by sea, an eTA is not necessary. Those who have, in addition to Indian citizenship, also Canadian citizenship, must also present a Canadian passport upon boarding.
An eTA application can be made by anyone who, in addition to coming from one of the countries included in the Canadian Visa Waiver Program (VWP), demonstrates that they have a clean criminal record (including possible violations of immigration laws) and are in good health.
The application can be completed online, and takes only a few minutes, on the dedicated Canada eTA form page.
What to visit in Canada?
When you think of Canada, it is difficult not to conjure up images of unspoiled nature, lakes and rivers, mountains and hills. This country is not only a paradise for nature lovers, but also the lifestyle choice of a large number of immigrants from all over the world who decide to find work and move permanently to Canada.
Enchanting landscapes, high attention to environmental sustainability, modern facilities, quality of services, validity of the health system and significant job opportunities are the main reasons that push many people, especially students and young people looking for work, to move to this area of North America every year. It is no coincidence that Indian residents mainly from Punjab region number in the hundreds of thousands.
The Canadian territory, thanks to its size, has much to offer even to the most demanding tourists, involving and exciting even those who are used to traveling without being easily amazed by what surrounds them.
Landscapes and natural parks
First of all, the enchanting natural wonders deserve to be mentioned. The vegetation is not only striking for its richness, but also varied and adequately protected. In fact, there are countless existing national and provincial parks.
Among the most famous attractions are obviously Niagara Falls, capable of attracting millions of visitors annually. It is not by chance that it is labeled as the “honeymoon capital of the world”. Made up of 3 waterfalls, they are located along the border that separates Canada from the United States, and are only an hour's drive from Toronto.
For nature lovers, a visit to Churchill, a city in Northern Manitoba, is also recommended. From there, you can be amazed by the polar bear migration to Hudson Bay, a phenomenon that takes place between October and November.
Cities and Architecture in Canada
Visiting Canada also means being able to admire cities of great historical and cultural interest, capable of offering tourists architectural buildings of absolute value.
There are many things to see in Toronto , but the CN Tower certainly stands out. In fact, the CN Tower is one of the tallest towers in the world, reaching 553 meters in height. From its summit, you can admire the city on the shores of Lake Ontario. From the port to the Yorkville neighborhood, known for its Victorian style, to Chinatown, there are many opportunities to be surprised. The city is a multicultural center, not surprisingly, more than 150 languages are spoken in its territory, including Hindi of course.
The metropolis of Montreal, in the French-speaking province of Quebec, has its main point of interest in Vieux-Montréal. It offers palaces, ecclesiastical buildings and squares from the 18th century. There is also the Réso of Montreal, an underground city ready to welcome residents during the cold winter season. Along its 30 kilometers there are shopping centers and boutiques, connected to museums, theaters, cinemas and subway stations.
Among the most suggestive cities in Canada, we cannot fail to mention Vancouver. The city of Vancouver has countless attractions, including the presence of a natural playground that allows those who wish to swim in the ocean, ski or have fun with rollerblades. Stanley Park, surrounded by the sea, extends for about 405 hectares, and offers paths ideal for walking, jogging or relaxing by riding a bicycle. Not far away, you can visit the wonders of nature in these lands, for example Tofino , on Vancouver Island, or the Rocky Mountains and its countless parks.
Tourist Visa to Travel to Canada
Canada has been one of the most popular destinations in recent years. The number of people who have decided to stay in Canada, coming from all continents, has increased significantly in recent years.
Thanks to a very low unemployment rate and policies designed to facilitate investment, there are still plenty of jobs available. There are also many who decide to settle temporarily in Canada solely for tourism reasons. The attractions, as described above, are certainly not lacking.
Both lovers of unspoiled nature and enthusiasts of architecture, technology and entertainment can find a privileged destination in this North American state. Whatever the reason that brings millions of people to enter its territory every year, the Canadian government has established precise rules in this regard. So for your tourist trip you will only need an eTA Canada authorization, while if you want to immigrate the process is more complex and lengthy.
