Border snapshot
Passport validity
Standard
Allowed stay
180 days
Insurance
Recommended
At the port of entry
eTA is electronically linked to the passport — no print required. CBSA primary inspection kiosks process most arrivals at YYZ, YVR, YUL and YYC in under 90 seconds. Land border arrivals do NOT require an eTA.
Customs and declarations
CAD 10,000 cash declaration. Cannabis (recreational) is legal in Canada but illegal to bring in or take out across the border. Firearms must be declared on Form CAFC 909.
Health and vaccinations
No mandatory vaccinations; some provinces offer reciprocal coverage to UK and Australian visitors only.
Reasons travellers are refused entry
- Criminal inadmissibility — DUI is treated as serious criminality in Canada
- Medical inadmissibility (rare for short stays)
- Misrepresentation on the eTA application — automatic 5-year ban
Travel insurance for this trip
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Travel insurance may help cover medical emergencies, trip interruptions, lost baggage, and other unexpected travel expenses while abroad.
- Medical emergencies
- Trip interruption
- Lost baggage
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need at the Canada border?⌄
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), valid passport (0 months remaining), no onward-ticket requirement and proof of accommodation.
How long can I stay?⌄
Up to 180 days per entry — subject to the officer's discretion at the port of entry.
Is travel insurance required?⌄
Not mandatory but strongly recommended.
What about cash and customs?⌄
CAD 10,000 cash declaration. Cannabis (recreational) is legal in Canada but illegal to bring in or take out across the border. Firearms must be declared on Form CAFC 909.
Health and vaccination rules?⌄
No mandatory vaccinations; some provinces offer reciprocal coverage to UK and Australian visitors only.
Can I be refused entry even with a visa?⌄
Yes — a visa or authorization is permission to travel, not a guarantee of admission. Criminal inadmissibility — DUI is treated as serious criminality in Canada is a known refusal trigger.
Do I need proof of funds?⌄
CBSA may ask, but there is no declared minimum; CAD 1,000–2,000 per week of stay is a working benchmark.