Prepare for your arrival

Documents you need before you travel to Canada

In some situations, you’ll need to bring documents with you when you travel to Canada.

Situations where you may need extra documents on arrival

If either of the following situations applies to you or someone you’ll travel with, have the documents indicated in hand.

You have a child under the age of 18 (a minor child)

In Canada, a child under the age of 18 is considered a minor.

You may need to show

• a letter that authorizes the minor child to travel to Canada, and
• other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on if the minor child travels alone or not

Find out more about minor children travelling to Canada

You were invited to come to Canada

If you got a letter from a person or company that invited you to Canada, bring that letter with you. A border services officer may ask to see it.

Find out more about letters of invitation

Your arrival in Canada

A valid visa and travel document don’t guarantee that you can enter Canada.

We determine if you meet all entry requirements

When you arrive, we’ll check your identity to make sure that you’re the same person who was approved to travel to Canada.

• If you enter Canada at one of 4 major Canadian airports
  • Your fingerprints will be checked automatically at a primary inspection kiosk.
  • The system will check your identity against the information collected when your application was submitted.
• If you enter Canada at a land port of entry
  • Your fingerprints may be checked if we refer you to a secondary inspection, where a border services officer will use a fingerprint verification device to check your fingerprints.

When you enter Canada

If you pass the identity check, health assessment, and you meet the entry requirements, the border services officer may allow you to enter Canada.

You won’t be allowed into Canada if you give false or incomplete information. The officer must be convinced that:

• you’re eligible for entry into Canada and
• you’ll leave Canada at the end of your authorized length of stay

Learn more about entry requirements

To visit Canada, you’ll need to meet some basic requirements, such as:

• have a valid travel document, such as a passport
• be in good health
• have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
• convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, a home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country
• convince an immigration officer that you’ll leave Canada at the end of your visit and
• have enough money for your stay
  • The amount of money you’ll need can vary depending on the details of your visit, such as how long you’ll stay, and whether you’ll stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.

How long you can stay in Canada

Most visitors can stay in Canada for up to 6 months.

In some cases, the border services officer may limit or extend your time in Canada, depending on the purpose of your visit.

At the port of entry, the officer might:

• stamp your passport or
• give you a document, called a visitor record, which will show the date you need to leave

If you arrive at an airport that uses primary inspection kiosks, and you need proof of your entry date to Canada (for example, because you’re a super visa holder), you may ask the border officer to stamp your passport after you finish at the kiosk.

If you don’t get a stamp in your passport, you can stay in Canada until whichever date comes first out of the following:

• 6 months from the date you entered Canada
• the expiry date of your passport
• the expiry date of your biometrics

Extending your stay

If you want to stay longer than your authorized stay, you should apply for an extension at least 30 days before the authorized end of your stay.

Find out more about extending your stay