Canada Entry and Visa Requirements: Do Australians Need a Visa for Canada?

Can Australians Enter Canada Without a Visa?

Australian citizens can travel to Canada without a visa for up to six months for tourism or business purposes. However, travellers arriving by air must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before departure and meet all entry requirements. Australian residents travelling with a foreign passport should use the IRCC’s online tool to determine whether they need an eTA or a visa to enter Canada based on their passport nationality.

Does Canada have a Visa Exemption for Australians?

Canada allows Australian citizens to travel visa-free for up to six months for tourism, meaning travellers don't need to apply for a visa in advance to enter Canada for short-term stays. Instead, visa-exempt travellers need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when flying to Canada. The eTA is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

What Happens if I Travel to Canada without a visa?

If you don't qualify for the visa exemption program or arrive without proper authorisation, you may be refused entry at the border and potentially returned to Australia at your own expense. Canada Border Services Agency officers have the final say on whether you can enter Canada, regardless of having an eTA or visa. It's essential to ensure you have appropriate travel documents for your trip before departure.

What Happens if I Overstay my Visa in Canada?

Overstaying your authorized period in Canada can result in serious consequences: 

• Being deemed inadmissible to Canada 
• Receiving a removal order 
• Being banned from re-entering Canada for a specific period 
• Affecting future visa or immigration applications 
• Potential detention and removal at your own expense 

What are Canada Visa Requirements for Australian Citizens?

Whether you're exploring the stunning landscapes of Banff National Park, attending a business conference in Toronto, or studying in Vancouver, your visa requirements will depend on the purpose and length of your visit to Canada. 

Generally, most Canada visas will require the following documents to be submitted with the visa application, so make sure to prepare them in advance. 

• Complete the appropriate visa application form based on your visa type, available through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website 
• Valid passport 
• Passport photos 
• Proof of ties to Australia 
• Proof of travel itinerary and return or onward ticket 
• Proof of financial support for your stay 
• Purpose specific documents based on your type of visa 

This is only a summary and you may be required to submit additional documents during your application process depending on the nature and duration of your trip and your specific visa type.

Below is a breakdown of common visas for Canada and their specific visa requirements for Australians travelling to Canada. If you’re unsure about the travel document you need to enter Canada, visit the IRCC website to find out if you need a visa or an eTA to travel to Canada.

What are Canada's Passport Requirements?

Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Canada. You must provide recent photographs meeting Canada's photo specifications including 

• Recently taken within the last 6 months 
• 35 mm x 45 mm size 
• They may be either black and white or in colour 
• Must be clear, well defined and taken against a white or plain background 
• Your face must be square to the camera with a neutral expression, neither frowning nor smiling, and with your 
• mouth closed 
• The photographs must show the full front view of the head, with the face in the middle of the photograph, and include the top of the shoulders 
• You may wear non-tinted prescription glasses as long as your eyes are clearly visible, ensuring the frame does not cover any part of your eyes (sunglasses are not accepted) 
• A hairpiece or other cosmetic accessory is acceptable if it does not disguise your normal appearance

Canada Business Visitor Visa

The Canada Business Visitor Visa allows Australian travellers to enter Canada for up to 6 months for business-related activities including: 

• Buying Canadian goods or services for a foreign business or government 
• Taking orders for goods or services 
• Going to meetings, conferences, conventions or trade fairs 
• Giving after-sales service as part of a warranty or sales agreement 
• Being trained by a Canadian parent company that you work for outside Canada 
• Training employees of a Canadian branch of a foreign company 
• Being trained by a Canadian company that has sold you equipment or services

Under a Business Visitor Visa, you are not permitted to work in Canada. Your main place of business and source of income and profits must be outside of Canada.

What are the Requirements for a Canada Business Visitor Visa?

Australians travelling to Canada for business related activities for up to 6 months must meet the standard entry and visa requirements outlined above. You may be required to provide the following supporting documents and information with your business visitor visa application: 

• Letters of Support: Your parent company may be required to provide a letter of support for the travel 
• Letter of Invitation for Business Visitors: Your Canadian host company must write a letter of invitation when they host business visitors from abroad including the following information: 
  • About the business visitor visa applicant (you):
    • Your name, date of birth, address and telephone number (both work and personal) 
    • The company you represent and your position 
    • Your company’s relationship to the invitee and your business history together 
    • Whether you know the visitor personally, and if you are related 
    • The purpose of the trip (providing context for longer-term business projects) 
    • The length of time you will be visiting the host company in Canada 
    • Accommodation and living expenses that the host company will cover 
    • The date you intend to leave Canada 
  • About the person extending the invitation:
    • Complete name 
    • Job title and position in the company 
    • Canadian address and telephone numbers 
    • Work email address 
  • About the company extending the invitation:
    • Complete name of the company 
    • Headquarters address 
    • The address of all company facilities to be visited 
    • The company’s website address (if available) 
    • The company’s date of registration or incorporation 
    • Short description of the company’s type of business 
• Purpose Specific Documents: Other documents such as warranty or service agreements, or contracts relevant to your visit may be required  
• Host’s 24-Hour Contact Details: You may be required to provide 24-hour contact details of your business host in Canada 

Canada Student Permit

Australian students planning to study in Canada for a program lasting more than six months must apply for a Study Permit online. If you’re unsure about the travel document you need to enter Canada for study, use the IRCC’s online tool to find out if you need a visa or an eTA to travel to Canada for study by following the prompts and answering the questions based on your specific circumstances.

What are the Requirements for Canada Student Visas and Permits?

To obtain a study permit, Australian students must all the standard entry requirements for Canada outlined above as well as the following requirements: 

• Proof of Acceptance: Your school must provide you with a letter of acceptance 
• DLI Acceptance Letter: Obtain an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada 
• Attestation Letters: To apply for a study permit you need to obtain an attestation letter being either a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or a Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) from the province or territory in which you plan to study 
• Letter of Explanation: This letter explains why you want to study in Canada and that you understand your responsibilities as a student. 
• Study Plan: Submit a one page study plan which answers the following questions: 
  • Why do you wish to study in Canada in the program for which you have been accepted? 
  • What is your overall educational goal? 
  • Why are you not pursuing a similar program in your country of residence or citizenship? 
• Academic Documents: Provide a copy of transcripts, degree, diploma or certificate if you intend on undertaking post-secondary studies in Canada. 
• Custodianship Declaration Form: For minor applicants, a Custodianship Declaration Form (IMMI 5646) must be included with the study permit application.   
• Proof of Funds or Financial Support: You must prove that you can support yourself and the family members who come with you while you are in Canada in the form of at least one of the following documents: 
  • A Canadian bank account in your name, if you’ve transferred money to Canada 
  • A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution 
  • A Student or education loan from a bank 
  • Bank statements for the past 4 months 
  • Bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars 
  • Proof of payment for tuition and housing fees 
  • A Letter from the person or school giving you money 
  • Proof of funding paid from within Canada, if you have a scholarship or are in a Canadian-funded educational program

A guide on the amount of funds required per year (excluding tuition) to support the number of family members staying with you in Canada for the study permit can be found on the IRCC website. 

Travel Insurance for your Trip to Canada

When planning your trip to Canada, it's important to consider travel insurance to help protect against some of the unexpected situations, such as medical emergencies or trip cancellations. With Fast Cover, you can customise your travel insurance policy to suit your travel plans to Canada. 

It is important to note that your travel insurance policy may not provide cover if you do not comply with Canada's visa or other entry requirements. To help ensure you are prepared for your trip, you should research and understand the relevant entry conditions before you travel to Canada. 

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions, limits and sub limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs. 

Entry Requirements for Australian Citizens on a Canada Working Holiday

Australian citizens must meet all of the standard IEC requirements listed above, as well as the following category specific requirements to be eligible for the Working Holiday category under the IEC program: 

• Work Permit for Working Holiday: You will need to apply for an open work permit for the Working Holiday category which lets you work for almost any employer in Canada, subject to the exceptions outlined above 
• Medical Exam: You may need to get a medical exam for some jobs 
• Additional Documents: During your application, you may be asked to submit additional documents 

Entry Requirements for Australian Young Professionals in Canada

Australian citizens must meet all of the standard IEC requirements listed above, as well as the following category specific requirements to be eligible for the Young Professionals category under the IEC program: 

• Work Permit for Young Professionals in Canada: You must work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada under the Young Professionals category, so you will need to apply for an employer-specific work permit 
• Work Type: Work must be paid work, not self-employed work 
• Job Offer: You must have a signed letter of offer or a signed contract of employment (up to 24 months) for a job in Canada that counts toward your professional development 
• Job Classification: The job must be classified under Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) category 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 of the National Occupation Classification 
• Additional Documents: During your application, you may be asked to submit additional documents 

The table below provides some examples of jobs within the eligible TEER categories that may count towards your professional development. To check the TEER classification of your job, visit the National Occupation Classification website and enter in your job title. 

Entry Requirements for Australians Interning in Canada's International Co-op Program

Australian citizens must meet all of the standard IEC requirements listed above, as well as the following category specific requirements to be eligible for the International Co-op (Internship) category under the IEC program: 

• Proof of School Registration: You must provide a letter from your educational institution showing that you’re currently registered there. 
• Work Permit for the International Co-op: You must work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada under the International Co-op (Internship) category, so you will need to apply for an employer-specific work permit 
• Offer: You must have one of the following offers: 
  • signed letter of offer, or 
  • a signed contract for a work placement, or 
  • an internship in Canada that meets the requirements of your academic curriculum in Australia 
• Job Study Link: You must submit one of the following documents to prove that your job is linked to your field of studies 
  • Internship Agreement: This is a 3-party agreement signed by you, your employer and your educational institution that must contain all: 
    • Job title 
    • Description of the tasks you’ll do 
    • Exact start and end dates of the internship 
    • Complete address of the job site 
    • Employer’s contact information 
  • Letter from Educational Institution: This letter from your educational institution must 
    • Be on an official letterhead of the institution 
    • State that your job offer is linked to your field of studies 

Health Insurance for the International Experience Canada Program

Eligible Australian citizens travelling to Canada under the IEC program must take out health insurance for the duration of their stay in Canada as one of the key entry requirements of the IEC program. Here’s what you need to know about taking out health insurance for your trip to Canada under the IEC program. 

Your health insurance must cover: 

• Medical care 
• Hospitalisation 
• Repatriation including the cost of: 
• Getting you to a medical facility 
• Returning you to your home country or 
• Returning your remains to your home country 

If your health insurance doesn’t provide adequate cover in line with these requirements, you may be denied entry into Canada under the IEC program. Although you don’t have to have health insurance when you apply for the IEC program, you do need to have health insurance before you arrive in Canada. Your health insurance must cover the entire duration of your stay in Canada. The IRCC advises IEC participants to purchase 1 policy to cover the entire length of their work permit. However, if this isn’t possible, the IRCC advises participants to purchase 2 consecutive policies instead. 

You may be able to take out a travel insurance policy with medical benefits that provide adequate cover to meet the health insurance requirements under the IEC program. 

Travel Insurance with Medical Cover for Your Trip to Canada Under the IEC

When planning your trip to Canada under the IEC program, it's important to consider travel insurance that provides cover for medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation in line with the requirements of the IEC program. 

Depending on the policy chosen with Fast Cover Travel Insurance, cover may be available for the following benefits to help you meet the IEC health insurance requirements: 

• Overseas 24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance,  
• Overseas Emergency Medical and Hospital Expenses,  
• Overseas Emergency Dental,  
• Overseas Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation,  
• Overseas Hospital Cash Payment.  

It is important to note that your travel insurance policy may not provide cover if you do not comply with Canada’s visa or other entry requirements under the IEC program. To help ensure you are prepared for your trip, you should research and understand the relevant entry conditions before you travel to Canada.

See this helpful guide on how to apply to extend your travel Fast Cover travel insurance policy to cover the 24-month IEC program period.  

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, and sub-limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.