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By Bec Milligan.
Heading over to Canada, eh? If so, you’ve likely wondered whether New Zealanders need a visa for Canada.
Never fear, we’ve done all the research for you. Simply read on to find out what you need to sort before you go to the Great White North.
Not a traditional one, no. New Zealand is one of the few countries whose citizens are fully visa-exempt for Canada. This means you can visit for tourism, family visits, short business trips and transit without applying for a visa.
What you do need is an Electronic Travel Authorization, more commonly called an “eTA”. Think of it as the Canadian version of the USA’s ESTA.
It’s pretty easy to get an eTA (read more on that below) and you’d be silly not to. Without an approved eTA, you won't be allowed to board a flight to Canada.
Of course, the eTA is only required if you’re flying into Canada. If you’re crossing the border by land or sea (for example, driving in from the United States, or arriving on a cruise ship), you won’t need one as a valid New Zealand passport is all that’s required for those entry points.
Tip: While Kiwis don’t typically need a visa for Canada, if you want to work in Canada, you will need a work permit. If you’re planning to study for more than six months, you’ll need a student permit. And if you’re the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and want to stay long term, there’s a separate Super Visa worth looking into.
The process is pretty straightforward and takes about five minutes. Here’s what to do:
Head to the official Government of Canada website. This is the only place you should apply. There are plenty of third-party websites that will offer to process your eTA for you but at a significantly higher cost. It’s worth knowing these are not affiliated with the Canadian government and the extra money goes straight to them.
You’ll need three things to apply: your New Zealand passport, a valid email address and a credit or debit card to pay the fee. Fill in your personal details exactly as they appear in your passport, answer a few background questions, pay the fee and submit.
Most applications are approved within minutes and you’ll receive confirmation by email. In some cases, processing can take a few days – meaning you should never leave it until the night before you fly. Applying at least a few days before departure is the sensible option, but if you like being uber organised, you can sort your eTA as soon as you book your flights.
Your approved eTA will be electronically linked to your passport, so you won’t have to print or carry any documents. Just make sure you travel on the same passport you used to apply for the eTA.
The eTA costs CAD $7 per person (roughly NZD $9). This fee is non-refundable, so if your application is denied, you won’t get it back. That said, denials are very uncommon for New Zealand passport holders.
Once approved, your eTA is valid for five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You can use it for multiple trips to Canada within that validity period, so you won’t need to reapply every time you visit. However, if you get a new passport, you will need to get a new eTA.
Tip: The fee is the same for everyone, including children, so factor that in if you’re travelling as a family.
New Zealanders with an approved eTA can stay in Canada for up to six months per visit. But the exact length of stay will be determined by the border services officer when you arrive; they may stamp your passport with a specific departure date, or they may grant the standard six months.
Most Kiwis have no issues at all, but having a return ticket, proof of accommodation and evidence of sufficient funds on hand removes any doubt about your intentions and keeps the process smooth (and the full six months more likely).
Obviously, six months is a pretty generous window for a holiday. And most Kiwis who visit Canada are there for just a few weeks at a time, so you’ll likely be well within the limits.
Of course, if you do want to stay in Canada for longer than six months, you’ll need to apply to extend your visitor status before your permitted stay expires. You can do this through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal at canada.ca; just be aware there’s a fee of CAD $100. You must apply at least 30 days before your status runs out. And if you apply on time, you can remain in Canada under what’s called “maintained status” while a decision is made.
But, like we mentioned above, different rules apply if you plan to work, study long term or want to stay as a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen. Make sure you have the right permit or visa for your situation before you travel.
Entry requirements can change. Always check the latest advice at SafeTravel and the Government of Canada before you travel.
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