The ETA – Electronic Travel Authorization and Visa are two unique documents for travel that authorize a person to arrive in Canada for diverse objectives. ETA is an advanced system of approval that permits eligible travelers to arrive in Canada for business or tourism purposes. Meanwhile, a Visa is a formal document needed by people seeking to immigrate, study, or work in Canada.
The majority of the individuals will require a Canada Visa that approves their entry while some overseas nationals will only require an ETA. If you are not eligible for ETA, you will require a Canada Tourist Visa or Visitor Visa to arrive in Canada to visit friends or family or for tourism purposes.
Factors that Determine the Requirement of a Canada Visa
Diverse factors will determine whether or not you require a Canada Visa. You have to consider the following factors:
- The kind of document for travel you will carry with you – Passport, national ID Document, DL- Driver’s License, etc.
- The nation that offered the travel document.
- Your Citizenship.
- Mode of travel to Canada – Land, Sea, or Air.
- When it comes to documents for travel, a passport is the best option, and based on the nation that offered it to you, you can choose how to travel.
Nations that Need a Canada Visa
Citizens of almost 148 nations including India require a Visa to arrive in Canada. They have to undergo the relevant Canada Visa application process based on their objective of arriving in Canada. There are various categories of Canada Visas like PR Visa, Visitor Visas, Work Visa, and Study Visa based on purposes of travel like immigration, visiting, working, or studying.
Nations that Need an ETA
Citizens of some nations have more liberty of movement globally and they will not require a Visa for arriving in Canada. They will only need an ETA – Electronic Travel Authorization.
ETA is a result of advancement in technology and its application in immigration processes. It is an electronic system that requires the applicants to provide their details. The system then assesses if they are authorized to arrive in Canada based on the data it receives across diverse databases.
A few of the nations included under ETA for Canada are Germany, Japan, Ireland, UAE, New Zealand, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The nationals of these nations will only require an ETA if they are arriving in Canada by air. If they wish to arrive in Canada by sea or land then they do not require an ETA and will only require their passports.
Major Differences Between Electronic Travel Authorization and Visa
Eligibility Requirements
One of the major differences between a Visa and ETA is the eligibility criteria for both these documents. The ETA is accessible to nationals of Visa-exempted nations who are arriving in Canada for business or tourism purposes and fulfill specific criteria. Applicants of ETA must possess a lawful passport from a nation eligible for ETA and a valid credit card for making payment of the processing fee for ETA. They must also have a valid email for receiving the confirmation for ETA.
On the other hand, a Visa is offered to a wider group of people inclusive of those seeking to study, work, or immigrate to Canada. To qualify for a Canada Visa applicants have to fulfill specific criteria like possessing a valid passport, good health, and no criminal record. Further, they may have to offer extra documents like an offer of a job or an acceptance letter from a University in Canada.
Application Process
The application process for a Visa and the ETA is also another point of difference. The process to get an ETA is online and usually swift and simple. Applicants will get the e-mail confirmation within some days after completion of the online application process and payment of the processing fee.
Meanwhile, the application process for a Visa is usually time-consuming and has multiple steps. Based on the objective of the visit and the nationality of the applicant, the application process can require submitting several forms and offering supporting documentation. It may also be required to appear for an interview at an Embassy or Consulate of Canada.
Furthermore, the Visa application processing time can differ crucially and a few applications can require many months for processing.
Duration and Validity of Stay
The Visa and ETA have different validity periods and authorized stay duration. The validity of the ETA is for 5 years or the expiry of the Passport of the applicant whatever first occurs. During this duration, ETA holders can arrive in Canada multiple numbers of times for a short period of stay of a maximum of 6 months each time.
On the other hand, the Visa has a validity of a specific duration based on the objective of the visit. For instance, the validity of a Work Visa can be extended for the duration of employment of the applicant whereas the Study Visa can be valid for the duration of the study program/course in Canada. Further, the stay period authorized by the Visa can be longer than the stay period authorized by ETA based on the objective of the visit.
Visit Purpose
The Visa and ETA serve diverse purposes when it comes to visiting Canada. The ETA is for eligible individuals seeking to arrive in Canada chiefly for business or tourism purposes. However, the Visa is for people seeking to immigrate, study, or work in Canada. Those who do not qualify for an ETA and intend to arrive in Canada for business or tourism purposes will need a Tourist or Visitor Visa.
You must also note that ETA does not authorize an individual to immigrate, work, or study in Canada. People who are qualified for an ETA will nevertheless require an appropriate Canada Visa for purposes other than vacation or attending a business meeting.If you wish to apply for Canada PR Visa Canada Tourist Visa or Canada Visitor Visa, connect with Nationwide Visas.
