Visa for Victoria, British Columbia

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

Visa for Victoria, British Columbia - Canada

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

Visa and eTA overview

Of course, as is the case in travelling to many other places, visitors will need a valid eTA or visa for Victoria, British Columbia. The current entry requirement that is now in effect requires foreign nationals who fly into, or through a Canadian airport to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). There are a couple of exceptions to this: U.S. citizens and those holding a valid Canadian passport are exempt. Visitors entering Canada by land (via car or bus) or by sea (e.g. cruise ship) will not need to obtain an eTA before entering the country. Applying for the eTA is easy and can be done by visiting the government Canada eTA website. Before applying, you'll need to have an email address, a valid passport, and a credit or a debit card.

Most applicants will receive their eTA by email within minutes of completing the online application. In some cases, the request can take several days to process, if additional documentation is necessary. In cases such as this, don't worry. You will receive an email from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) within 72 hours letting you know what the next steps will be in order for you to obtain your eTA. You'll need to present your eTA each time you are required to present your passport; without it, you will be unable to board the flight. For this reason, it's always a good idea to get your eTA sorted before booking your flight to Canada to keep your travel planning smooth and hassle free. Since your eTA is linked to the passport you held at the time of application, it will be necessary to apply for a new eTA whenever your passport is renewed. The eTA is valid for five years, or when your passport expires - whichever comes first. Once you have the eTA, it is permissible to travel to and from Canada as often as you like, for up to six months at a time. The application process is a simple one, the fee is minimal, and the exhilarating scenery and one-of-a-kind experiences to be had in Victoria are worth it.

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 Victoria.

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.

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 Victoria 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 traveler 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 Victoria 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 Victoria.

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

Victoria travel information

When planning a holiday trip to Canada, there is a great number of beautiful locations to visit, but perhaps no other Canadian destination offers the unique blend of experiences and scenery to be found in Victoria. The capital city of British Columbia, Victoria is an island destination bursting with activities from whale watching and golfing to wine tastings and afternoon teas. Or, if you prefer a nice mountain hike, Victoria has that, too.

Originally established as a fort for the Hudson's Bay Company during the fur trade in 1843, Victoria is the oldest city in the Pacific Northwest. The rich and compelling history of the city can be explored by visiting the many museums, galleries, and cultural events Victoria has to offer. Take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, or a double-decker bus to one of Victoria's many heritage sites while taking in the cityscape. If outdoor adventure is more your style, Willows Beach, or one of Victoria's numerous lakes like Matheson Lake are the perfect spot for engaging in swimming, kayaking, boating, and other water sports. In the evenings, take in a show and have dinner at one of the many waterfront pubs or cocktail lounges. The coastal waters and lush farming regions of the Cowichan Valley and Saanich Peninsula provide local chefs with a myriad of fresh local produce; the farm to table scene in the city is a vibrant one, with many local eateries providing meals prepared with produce from their own gardens.

Conclusion

Nicknamed 'The Garden City' for its expansive green spaces and gardens such as Butchart Gardens, Butterfly Gardens, and Abkhazi Garden, Victoria, British Columbia enjoys mild temperatures all year round. The city is also often rated as a top global travel destination by renowned magazines and publications. So if you're considering Victoria, BC as a place to visit, rest assured you've found a destination worthy of the time, money and effort to get there.