Attending a forum in Canada starts long before you board a plane. Depending on the passport you hold, you will need either a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter the country, and getting one can take time. This guide explains the basics and how to plan ahead.

This article is general information, not immigration advice. Requirements change and depend on your personal situation, so always check the official rules with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before you travel.

Visitor visa or eTA?

Which document you need depends on your nationality and on how you travel to Canada:

  • Visitor visa (temporary resident visa). Required for citizens of many countries. You apply online and, in most cases, also give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) at a visa application centre.
  • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Required for travellers from visa-exempt countries who fly to or through a Canadian airport. It is linked electronically to your passport. Many applications are approved quickly, but some take several days, so do not leave it to the last minute.
  • Citizens of the United States need neither a visa nor an eTA, only valid travel identification such as a U.S. passport.

The IRCC website has an online tool that tells you which document you need, based on your passport and your travel plans.

Attending as a business visitor

Attending meetings, conferences and conventions is generally treated as a business visitor activity in Canada, which means that delegates usually do not need a work permit. If your role goes beyond attending, for example if you will be paid to work or perform at the event, check the rules that apply to your situation before you apply.

Apply as early as you can

Visa processing times vary widely by country and season and can stretch to several weeks or even months. Start your application as soon as your place at the event is confirmed, check the current processing time for your country on the IRCC website and allow a generous margin for biometrics appointments and any request for more documents.

Documents that usually help

Every application is assessed individually, but applicants are commonly asked to show:

  • A passport that is valid for the whole length of the trip
  • The purpose of the visit, such as the confirmation of your place at the event
  • Enough money for the stay and the return journey
  • Ties to the home country, such as a job, studies, property or family
  • Travel plans, including where you will stay

Some event organizers can provide a letter confirming your registration once your place is confirmed. Such a letter supports an application, but it never guarantees a visa: the decision rests with the Government of Canada alone.

Practical tips

  • Apply only through official Government of Canada websites, and be wary of third-party sites that charge extra fees for the same forms.
  • Make sure the name on your event registration matches your passport exactly.
  • Choose refundable or changeable flights and accommodation until your visa or eTA has been approved.
  • Keep digital and paper copies of your passport, your visa or eTA confirmation and your event confirmation while you travel.

For the official rules and the latest information, visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.