Visa for Edmonton, Alberta

Updated: Jan 10, 2024 | Tags: Canada eTA, Canada Visa

Visa for Edmonton, Alberta - Canada

This article provides information on getting a visa or an eTA for Edmonton. A valid Canadian visa or eTA will be required prior your departure to Canada.

Visa and eTA overview

Currently, visa-exempt individuals from foreign countries who enter Canada. Foreigners on the exemption list include U.S citizens and visitors with a valid and legit Canadian visa.

An Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) should be valid for up to five years or until your passport's expiration date. Every time you get a new passport, a new eTA will be required for you to travel to Canada, legally. Nevertheless, you can apply for an eTA to Canada as many times as you want, if your stay will be for six months or less.

It is important to note that Canadian citizens including the ones with dual citizenship and permanent Canadian residents cannot apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation. Also, Visa-exempt foreign nationals are not required to have an eTA when entering Canada by sea, land or car.

Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

The Canadian eTA is an electronic travel authorization that is intended to simplify the process of entering Canada for common travel purposes such as tourism, business or transit. Individuals wishing to visit Canada for under six months, for the purposes of tourism, business, transit, or receiving medical treatment may be eligible. A Canadian eTA is issued for up to five years' from the date of approval, or until the date of passport expiry, whichever comes first.

The Canadian eTA enables passport holders of dozens of countries to apply online for travel authorization without the need of a visa for Edmonton. A current list of eTA eligible countries can be found by reviewing the eTA requirements.

There are a wide variety of uses for a Canadian eTA, from attending family weddings to speaking at a business conference. However, there are limitations to using an eTA. If used in an unauthorized manner, an approved eTA can be revoked from an applicant. It is thus important to make sure eTA applicants understand the full scope of permitted travel uses of an eTA.

How to apply for an eTA?

Applying for an eTA is a simple, fast and convenient online process. Most applicants receive their eTA within minutes of application. However, the process might take a few extra days if supporting documents are required. If you are trying to get into Canada, here is the application process.

  • Visit the official government website for the eTA.
  • You will need; a valid passport, an email address and a credit or debit card.
  • Read the 'help' document for detailed guidance.
  • Fill your information correctly on the online form.
  • Pay the required amount immediately you finish filling your application form.
  • An email will confirm your eTA application. Most applications are processed minutes after submission.
  • If Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) request supporting documents, processing may take longer than 72 hours.

You can only apply and pay for each traveller individually. For example, for a family of five, you will be required to fill and submit five forms. Ensure that you print your receipt of payment as soon as you receive confirmation online. Communication regarding your eTA application will be via email. If you cannot find the email in your inbox, check the spam folder.

Approved business use

Although a Canadian eTA is typically thought of as a tourist travel authorization, it can also be used for business purposes.

With an eTA, travelers can visit Canada to meet with business associates, settle an estate or negotiate a business contract. Although it is not a work visa, a Canadian eTA can be used to conduct business meetings in Canada. If you plan to travel to Edmonton for a business meeting using an eTA, you may be asked to provide additional documentation during your eTA application or at the Canadian border. You will likely be required to prove that your main source of income is received outside of Canada, and that your employer is also based outside of Canada.

You can also attend a business conference in Canada with a Canadian eTA. If you use your eTA for this purpose, you may be asked by Canadian immigration personnel to prove that you are not employed nor seeking employment in Canada.

Approved tourism use

Most people get an eTA for tourism purposes. Permitted tourism purposes include activities such as sight-seeing, and visiting with friends or family.

Approved transit use

A Canadian eTA can also be used for transit purposes, whereby a traveller is switching airplanes on Canadian territory while en-route to a non-Canadian destination.

Unauthorized use

Although there are many approved uses for a Canadian eTA, there are also some things you cannot legally do with an eTA.

You are not allowed to work in Canada with an eTA. Although you can use an eTA for some business purposes, you cannot hold or obtain employment in Canada using an eTA. Thus, you must apply for a work visa if you wish to be employed in Canada. This is true whether you want to move your career to Edmonton or hope for temporary employment. You cannot accept payment for any work in Canada without a proper Canadian work visa.

You also cannot study in Canada using an eTA. You must get a Canadian student visa if you want to attend school in Canada.

Requirements affecting eTA eligibility

  1. You can only use an eTA for entering Canada via aircraft.
  2. You must not have any prior refusals to enter Canada and no prior deportation history in Canada. If so, you will likely be denied an eTA.
  3. You must have an electronic passport.
  4. You must not have any highly infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, at the time of your visit or at the time of your eTA application.
  5. You must not have been previously convicted of any crimes causing serious harm or damage to people or property.

Canada eTA application process

To apply for an eTA, you will need your passport and employment details. You should allow between 15-20 minutes per application. Applications are usually processed and approved within minutes for most applicants. However, due to enhanced and automated security screening, your application may be flagged and require a manual review. During a manual review, you will be requested to provide additional information or documentation to process your eTA application. Failure to provide this information or documentation in a timely manner during the manual review will result in a denied eTA application.

Types of Canadian visas and permits

Canadian eTAs are only for individuals from visa-exempt countries and permanent residents of the United States. If you are not from a visa-exempt country, are not a U.S. citizen, and are not a permanent resident of the United States, then you will need a visa for Edmonton.

Tourist visa

A Canadian tourist visa is known as a Temporary Resident Visa, or TRV for short. Like an eTA, you can apply for this online. You can also apply using a paper-based application. The application requires more information and entails longer processing timelines than an eTA application.

Work permit

If you plan to work in Canada, either temporarily or indefinitely, you will need a work permit in addition to your eTA or TRV. Before you can apply for a work permit, you must usually have a job offer from a Canadian employer, although it is sometimes possible to waive this requirement depending on profession or the type of work an individual is able to do in Canada.

You can apply for a work permit either online or on paper. When you apply, you will need to certify that you will only work for the specific employer who has offered you a job, and that you will leave Canada at the end of your employment.

Study permit

Study permits are similar to work permits. To apply for a study permit, you must also have a TRV or eTA. All students need a study permit, with very few exceptions. Unless you will attend preschool, plan to apply for a study permit.

You can apply for a student visa online or on paper. You must agree that you will leave Canada at the end of your studies (unless you subsequently get a work permit), and you must show that you have adequate financial support to live in Canada.

Canadian visa application process

To apply for a Canadian visa, there are set number of steps which need to be followed. You can either apply online or apply on paper. For either type of application, you will be prompted to select the country where you are applying from as well as provide some information on your eligibility for your desired travel purposes.

Online application (eligibility restrictions)

The online application includes an instruction guide which is to be used to prepare the documents and forms needed to submit your Canada visa application. However, only eligible applicants can apply for a Canadian visa online. You can apply using the following link: https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/applications/visa.asp

Paper-based application

To apply for a Canadian visa using the paper-based application, you will need to first download and print the application package, which includes all the relevant forms you will need to fill out. Once completed, you will need to pay a fee to process your visa application. Once paid, you can then submit your visa application for processing. To get started on your paper-based Canadian visa application, visit the following link: https://ircc.canada.ca/english/information/applications/visa.asp

Edmonton travel information

The richness of Canada's pulchritude, from magnificent mountains to awe-inspiring glaciers, natural lakes, green carpeted forests and friendly people attracts tourists from all over the world. With greatness extending from natural sites to the vibrant cosmopolitan cities, Canada receives millions of tourists every year. Whether you are interested in the clean and multicultural environment, captivating natural hubs, outdoor activities or once in a lifetime city experience, Edmonton in Alberta is a great place to start.

Top five things to do in Edmonton

  1. Visit Fort Edmonton Park and explore the historic site by car or better, a horse carriage! The riverside recreation of Hudson's Bay Company's log fort will make you feel like you are in an 1840's trading post!
  2. Learn rich history in at the Royal Alberta and Alberta Aviation Museums.
  3. Experience out-of-this-world artistic performances and acts at Edmonton Symphony, the Citadel and Fringe Theatres and the Winspear Center.
  4. Shop till you drop at local shops and designer boutiques at the famous West Edmonton Mall and the Whyte Avenue.
  5. Take pleasure in natural adventures by visiting the TELUS World of Science, William Hawrelak Park, the Elk Island National Park and University of Alberta Botanic Garden.

Enjoy finger-licking, the exquisite cuisine at Packrat Louie Kitchen and Bar. Located off the Whyte Avenue, is this food spot where you can get delicious dishes like homemade chorizo fritters, wild mushroom wine and very delicious pizza.

Conclusion

There are just so many great places to go sightseeing in Edmonton. From the state-of-the-art museums to natural and amusement parks, music and play theatres, historic sites, quaint streets, shopping markets and government landmarks and buildings. Remember to apply weeks in advance of your visit for a eTA or visa for Edmonton.