Do you need a visa or eTA to visit Québec?

Before you book your flight, get this right

Entry requirements are the kind of thing most travellers discover at the check-in desk rather than three months in advance. That is a problem when your flight to Montréal leaves in four hours and the airline agent informs you that you lack the correct travel authorisation.

This guide covers entry requirements for Canada — and by extension, Québec — focusing on European visitors, but also applicable to Australians, New Zealanders, Americans, Japanese and South Korean travellers. The information is current as of May 2026 and based on official Government of Canada sources.

Quick answer: who needs what?

Canada’s entry system divides foreign visitors into three groups:

Group 1 — visa-exempt travellers who need an eTA (by air) Most Western European citizens, plus Australians, New Zealanders, Japanese and South Koreans. When you fly to Canada, you must hold a valid eTA. No eTA = no boarding.

Group 2 — visa-exempt travellers who do NOT need an eTA (by air) US citizens holding a US passport. American permanent residents (green card holders) still need an eTA when flying. Note: a US green card plus a passport from a visa-required country still requires a full visa.

Group 3 — visa-required travellers Citizens of countries not on the visa-exempt list must obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) before travelling to Canada, regardless of how they arrive.

Which European countries are visa-exempt?

The following European nationalities are visa-exempt for Canada (tourism, up to 6 months) and need an eTA when arriving by air:

European Union member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

Other European countries: Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, United Kingdom (including British National Overseas and British Overseas Citizens — confirm current status at canada.ca), Vatican City.

Also visa-exempt (outside Europe): Australia, Brunei, Chile, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan (must hold a Taiwan passport with personal ID number).

If your nationality is not on this list, you likely need a full visa. Always verify at canada.ca before booking flights.

What is the eTA exactly?

The eTA (electronic Travel Authorization) is a digital pre-clearance requirement linked to your passport. It is not a visa — it does not grant entry to Canada. It authorises you to board a flight to Canada. The actual decision on whether to let you in is made by a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at the port of entry.

Key facts:

• Cost: CAD 7 (roughly EUR 4.65 or USD 5.20 at 2026 exchange rates)
• Validity: 5 years from approval, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first
• Multiple trips: a single eTA covers multiple entries during its validity period
• Linked to your passport number: if you get a new passport, you need a new eTA
• Not required for land and sea crossings: only for air travel

How to apply for an eTA

Apply only through the official Government of Canada website. Go to canada.ca and search “eTA” or use the direct URL at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html.

Step-by-step process:

1. Have your passport ready. You need the passport you will travel with — not an expired one, not your national ID card.
2. Prepare a credit or debit card. The fee is CAD 7 and can be paid online with Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.
3. Complete the online form. Name, date of birth, passport details, nationality, travel plans (approximate).
4. Submit and pay. Most approvals come through within a few minutes via email. Some take a few hours to 14 days.
5. Keep the approval email. The eTA number is linked to your passport electronically, but the confirmation email is your proof of approval.

When to apply: the moment your flights are booked. There is no benefit to waiting. The eTA is valid for 5 years — you can apply months or years before you travel.

Common mistakes that get applications rejected or delayed

Typing errors in your name or passport number. The eTA is electronically matched to your passport. A single digit wrong in your passport number will create a mismatch and cause problems at check-in. Double-check every field before submitting.

Using a third-party website. Many sites appear in search results alongside the official government site. They charge CAD 30-80 and simply relay your information to canada.ca. Your data passes through an extra party unnecessarily. Always use the Government of Canada site directly.

Applying with the wrong passport. The eTA is linked to a specific passport. If you have dual nationality and multiple passports, apply with the passport you plan to travel with. Using a different passport at the airport will trigger a mismatch.

Assuming your eTA is still valid after getting a new passport. When you renew your passport, your eTA becomes invalid. Apply for a new one before your next trip.

Leaving it until the last minute. Most approvals take minutes. But the IRCC’s own guidance recommends applying well in advance because a small percentage of applications are flagged for manual review (additional documents may be requested) and the review can take 14 days.

Confusing the eTA with ETIAS. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a completely separate authorisation system for entry to the Schengen Area. If you hold a Canadian passport and plan to visit Europe, ETIAS will eventually apply to you. For visiting Canada, you need a Canadian eTA — not ETIAS.

Cost breakdown

What happens at the Canadian border?

Whether you arrive at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Québec City Jean-Lesage Airport (YQB), or a land crossing, the process is similar:

1. Fill in the CBSA declaration card on the plane (or at an CBSA kiosk at major airports).
2. Pass through the CBSA primary inspection. An officer checks your passport, eTA status, and declaration.
3. Declare everything. Food, plants, items to sell, amounts of cash over CAD 10,000. Honest declarations go smoothly. Non-disclosure is a separate offence.
4. Possible secondary inspection. Routine in some cases — does not indicate wrongdoing.

Most EU visitors clear primary inspection in under 15 minutes at YUL during off-peak hours. During summer and Carnaval season, allow 30-45 minutes.

US travellers: no eTA needed

American citizens holding a valid US passport do not need a visa or an eTA to enter Canada for tourism. They need only their US passport. US permanent residents (green card holders) who are not US citizens need an eTA when flying to Canada — they should carry both their green card and passport.

If you need a full visa

Nationals of countries not on the visa-exempt list must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) before travelling. This is a separate, more involved process:

• Apply through: Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship portal at canada.ca, or through a Canadian Visa Application Centre (CVAC) in your country.
• Processing time: typically 2-8 weeks, but can be longer during high-volume periods.
• Required documents: valid passport, photographs, travel itinerary, proof of funds, ties to home country (employment, property, family), biometrics (in most cases).
• Cost: CAD 100 per application.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Québec as a non-Canadian

The FAQ above covers the most common questions. For travel planning once you have your entry sorted, read our guide to Québec for first-time visitors or explore itineraries for 7 days in Québec.

Plan your trip

With entry requirements sorted, start planning the actual trip:

• Best time to visit Québec — month-by-month breakdown
• How much does a Québec trip cost? — real CAD budgets
• eTA vs ETIAS: don’t confuse the two systems — a quick comparison
• Montréal YUL airport guide — arriving, transit, getting to the city
• 7-day Québec itinerary — classic loop with car
• 5-day Québec itinerary — Montréal + Québec City
• Mobile data and eSIM in Québec — staying connected
• Canadian dollar tips for Europeans — exchange, cards, cash
• Travel insurance for Québec — what to cover
• Driving in Québec — licences, winter tyres, rules

Once you land in Montréal, Old Montréal’s walking tours are a great first move:

Or start with a walking tour of Old Québec if you are heading straight to Québec City: