The price of a visa for Canada is not the same if you opt for an eTA or a classic visa. Indeed, the eTA scheme allows you to benefit from a much lower rate for obtaining a travel authorisation for Canada. It is therefore important to make the right choice and, if possible and if you meet the various eligibility criteria of this new system, to choose this online application over a traditional visa application which will cost you much more and take more time. In this article, we will explain the different fees for traditional and eTA visas to travel to Canada.
eTA Canada price: Key points
- The price of the eTA visa for Canada varies according to the fees charged by the private service provider for the application
- The government fee that forms part of the price of the eTA Canada is 7 dollars.
- The average price of an eTA for Canada varies from 35 to 50 dollars, including processing fees.
How much does a travel authorization for Canada cost?
To travel to Canada, you must have an official residence permit. This authorisation will allow you to board the aircraft that will take you to this country and to pass the various checks on arrival. Remember that a visa or eTA is required for entry to this country, even for minors and even for a simple stopover or transit. It is therefore essential to plan ahead for these requirements and the necessary budget.
The price of a travel authorisation for Canada is not the same for a traditional visa or an eTA. It also varies according to the site and therefore the service provider through which you are going to apply.
The eTA and the visa do not require the same steps and do not concern the same types of travellers. Their price is also very different as we will see below.
While the price of an eTA or online visa application also varies depending on the website used, you should be aware that the Canadian government fee ranges from $7 to $100 for an eTA and $100 for some visas.
How much does an eTA cost for Canada and who can benefit from it?
The eTA system was introduced a few years ago by the Canadian government to simplify the process for travellers from certain countries who wish to visit the country. It is a fully electronic system that allows a visa equivalent to be obtained in just a few days and at a much lower cost.
The eTA is therefore a sort of dematerialised visa that is electronically linked to your passport. However, it is only accessible under certain conditions:
- Residency requirement: eTA applicants must reside in one of the member countries of the system. This is the case for all the countries of the European Union and Switzerland.
- Length of stay requirement: The total duration of the stay in Canada must in no case exceed 6 consecutive months.
- Purpose of stay requirement: Finally, the purpose of your trip to Canada must be exclusively tourist or business travel.
If you meet all these conditions, you can apply online in a few minutes by simply filling in a form. This is a quick process and you will receive a reply in less than 72 hours. Once obtained, your eTA will be valid for 5 years and can therefore be used for several stays.
The fact that eTA applications are made exclusively online means that the service providers who offer them can charge much lower fees than for traditional visa applications. With our partner service provider, you can obtain an eTA visa with additional fees depending on your country of residence, including the 7 dollars for the Canadian government. It is possible to pay only the $7 required by the government via the official website, but you will not be able to take advantage of our partner's simplified form in French, refund in the event of a denied application, or data verification before submitting your application. These fees can be paid directly online, by credit card or Paypal, to speed up the procedure even further.
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How much does a regular visa to Canada cost?
If you are not eligible for the eTA scheme and need to apply for a regular visa, for example if you wish to stay in Canada for more than 6 months, to work or to study, you should contact the Canadian embassy in your country of residence.
Of course, applying for a visa for Canada will take you longer than applying for an eTA, as this procedure can take several weeks and sometimes even months. It is therefore necessary to apply well in advance.
Indeed, the procedure for applying for a visa for Canada requires more complex documents and sometimes even a physical appointment at the embassy or consulate. In view of this complexity, this application is also more expensive.
The price of a classic visa for Canada will also vary according to different criteria. On average, you should expect to pay around 100 Canadian dollars per traveller. It is also possible to obtain a price for a group application with a maximum of 500 Canadian dollars for a family.
It should also be noted that there is an additional fee for fingerprinting.
Indeed, in recent years, additional fees for biometric data have been required. To apply for a visa to Canada on a passport, you will not only have to pay the application fee, but in some cases you will also have to provide your fingerprints to complete the application.
However, if you wish to visit Canada for tourism, study or work for less than 6 months, you will not be required to provide your biometric data. However, if you are between 14 and 79 years of age, this data will be mandatory. You will have to pay a fee of 85 Canadian dollars per person with a maximum of 170 dollars per family.
How much does an emergency eTA cost for Canada?
Sometimes, despite the fast processing time of online eTA applications, some travellers need to travel to Canada urgently. In this case, some sites offer urgent eTAs, as you can choose this option when completing your application.
With this option, you will be able to receive your eTA by email within minutes and most of the time within an hour. This is because the agents in charge of checking your file will do so as a matter of priority. Of course, even with this express delivery option, there is no guarantee that you will be able to obtain the eTA. Indeed, even if it is rare, an application that has been submitted in a hurry may be subject to further verification and additional checks, especially if the immigration service has suspicions about the sincerity of the answers given in the form.
It goes without saying that applying for an urgent eTA is a paid option and will therefore cost you more than a standard application. The price of this option also varies according to the service provider.
Is it possible to travel to Canada for free without a visa or eTA?
It is possible for certain travellers only to travel to Canada without the need for an eTA or visa. The condition is that you must be a US national, regardless of the means of transport used, or a citizen of the European Union or Australia if entering the country by land or sea. This means that if you arrive in the country by foot, bus, boat or train, you will be exempt from a visa, but if you travel by air, you will need to present a residence permit.
How much does it cost to extend the validity of a visa?
If you are in Canada and wish to extend your stay for business or tourism purposes, you can apply to extend your visa.
However, you will need to budget for this extension at the same rate as you paid for your basic visa. It is necessary to apply for this extension before the end of the visa's validity.
For the eTA, remember that it must cover the entire duration of your stay in Canada. If this is not the case and your authorization expires before the end of your trip, you will have to renew it. There is no extension for this type of eTA, so you will have to apply again and pay the same amount as the first time.
Can I be reimbursed for the eTA application fee if I am not granted a visa?
Some sites offer their customers a refund of the eTA application fee in the event of a refusal by the Canadian authorities. But this refund is of course subject to certain conditions.
Indeed, rejections of eTAs are rare but are most often due to the applicant's travel history. Thus, travellers who have already been refused entry to Canada on a previous visa or eTA application are more likely to have their application rejected again. The same applies to people who have lived in Canada and are still officially registered. Refunds will therefore only be possible if the reason for refusal does not concern the rejection of previous applications.
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Adeline HARMANT
As a web writer and globetrotter with a passion for travel and tourism, I have acquired in-depth knowledge of the procedures that are essential for travellers. I help travellers to complete all the formalities required for a successful trip, particularly when it comes to obtaining a visa online. With several years' experience in this field, I'd like to offer you some valuable advice to help you discover the world with complete peace of mind.
