Hosting family in Montreal: eTA or visitor visa?

You live in Montreal and your parents, a cousin or friends want to visit. Before anyone books a flight, find out whether they need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa. The difference is huge: an eTA costs CAN$7 and is usually approved in minutes; a visa is a full application. Based on IRCC pages checked on October 17, 2026.

The quick test

1. Which passport will they travel on? Requirements follow the passport, not where someone lives.
2. How will they arrive? The eTA only applies to air travel to Canada or through a Canadian airport.
3. Are they Canadian, a permanent resident of Canada, a US citizen or a lawful US permanent resident? Then they don't use an eTA at all.

IRCC's tool "Find out what you need to travel to Canada" gives the official answer for each passport. Use it for each guest separately.

Who needs what

Guest	Flying in	Driving, train, bus or boat
Citizen of a visa-exempt country	eTA	Passport only
Citizen of certain visa-required countries who meets the conditions	eTA instead of a visa	Visitor visa
Other visa-required travellers, alien's passport holders, stateless people	Visitor visa	Visitor visa
US citizen	Valid US passport, no eTA	Required ID, no eTA
Lawful US permanent resident	Proof of US status and a valid passport, no eTA	Same

The list changes. Since May 26, 2026, some citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia who meet certain requirements can apply for an eTA instead of a visa to fly to Canada. Always check on the day you plan.

Two traps for families

• Dual Canadian citizens can't fly to Canada on a foreign passport with an eTA. They need a valid Canadian passport (Canadian-Americans may use a valid US passport).
• Former residents: permanent resident status never expires on its own. Someone who lived in Canada long ago may still be a permanent resident and needs a PR card or a PR travel document to board.

Getting the eTA right

• Apply only on canada.ca. The official fee is CAN$7, non-refundable, one person per application. Other websites charge more for the same form.
• Enter the passport number exactly as it appears at the top of the photo page, and check it again in the approval email. A wrong number means a new application and possible trouble boarding.
• Most applications are approved within minutes; some take several days if documents are requested. IRCC recommends getting the eTA before booking the flight.
• An eTA is valid up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. A new passport needs a new eTA.

What an eTA doesn't do

It doesn't guarantee entry: the border officer decides. It doesn't allow work or study. Visits are short, usually up to six months at a time; a guest who wants to stay longer applies for a visitor record before their status ends. If your guest is a minor travelling without both parents, IRCC suggests carrying a consent letter and, depending on the case, custody documents.

When it's a visa

A visitor visa application needs a reason for the trip, proof of funds, ties to the home country and often biometrics. If you're hosting, an invitation letter can help explain the visit. For parents and grandparents planning long stays, compare with the super visa. Our visitor visa page covers the process.

Planning a family visit and unsure what each guest needs? You can describe the situation or book a consultation.

Frequently asked questions

My guest was refused a visa before. Can they just get an eTA?

Only if their passport and situation make them eligible for an eTA, and the form asks about past refusals. An eTA isn't a way around a visa requirement.

Do they need to print the eTA?

No. It's linked electronically to the passport; the airline scans the passport at check-in.

Does a domestic flight within Canada need an eTA?

No. IRCC says you don't need an eTA to travel within Canada.

Official sources

Official pages consulted on October 17, 2026:

• IRCC — Find out what an eTA is
• IRCC — eTA: how to apply