The cruises to Canadian shores are great experiences. Many visitors flock to the North American country to see the maritime provinces or explore the Arctic regions on a boat.

A common question in these cases is whether a Canadian eTA is needed for a cruise. This is because visitors from different countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia, need the Canadian eTA travel authorization to enter the country by plane.

But do the same requirements apply when it comes to Canadian cruises? In this guide, you will find all the information you need to explore the North American country by boat with the correct documentation.

SEE ALSO: Study in Canada with an Australian passport

Where do cruises sail in Canada?

The type of cruise and the embarkation point is decisive to know if you need a Canadian eTA or not.

There are several cruise routes that visitors to Canada can enjoy. Many not only cruise the shores of Canada but also stop at ports in Greenland or in the United States.

Some of the most popular Canadian cruises are:

• Canada and New England cruises.
• British Columbia and Alaska cruises.
• Arctic cruises (including Greenland and parts of the Northwest Passage).
• Cruises across the Atlantic to Canada.

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Is a Canadian eTA required to embark on a cruise?

Travelers heading to Canada for a cruise often have questions about the documentation they will need. As a general rule, foreign tourists need a Canadian electronic travel authorization (eTA) or visa.

Australia is one of the nations eligible to travel to Canada with an eTA. This entry authorization has a more agile registration process than that of the Canadian tourist visa. SEE HERE FOR THE LIST OF eTA ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES

In the case of the eTA, applicants do not need to travel to an embassy, ​​whereas for a traditional visa it is mandatory. The Canada eTA application form can be completed online from the comfort of your own home.

Thus, the eTA is a mandatory requirement for all Australian visitors and visitors from other eligible countries, such as the U.K or Andorra, flying to Canada or transiting through a Canadian airport.

SEE ALSO: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): express visa exemption for Canada

This means that, from the outset, you do not need a Canadian eTA to embark on a cruise. However, there are situations in which it will be mandatory:

• When the traveler flies to Canada to begin his cruise in a Canadian port.
• When the tourist transits through a Canadian airport on the way to start his cruise.

In contrast, passengers will not require a Canadian eTA for a cruise in the following circumstances:

• When the passenger enters Canada by land or by boat before embarking on the cruise.
• If the cruise departs from the United States or Australia and the traveler does not fly to Canada.
• When the visitor is on a transatlantic cruise to Canada and reaches Canadian land by ship.

It will not be necessary to apply for a Canada eTA if the traveler leaves Canada by plane. On the other hand, if one of your travel plans is to arrive at a Canadian airport by plane, it will be necessary to go through border control and have a valid eTA.

The visitors from countries that have visa-free entry to Canada must obtain a Canadian visa from an embassy or consulate.

SEE ALSO: What is and what is the function of the CBSA?

Is it advisable to take a cruise in Canada?

Canadian cruises can be a great adventure. Whether sailing the coast of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island or braving the frozen Arctic, there is much to see in the waters of the North American country.

Cruises are a place to relax with luxurious accommodations. Many offer evening entertainment and have a variety of facilities for passengers.

Sailing Canada offers passengers a taste of Canadian hospitality in charming port cities like Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. It also offers spectacular views of the Canadian fjords.

Many cruises also offer the opportunity to stop in cities in the United States, such as Boston, Portland, and New York. Without a doubt, a perfect way to visit both countries on the same trip.

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Canadian sea cruises

The Canadian Maritime Provinces are 3 of the smallest regions in Canada located on the Atlantic coast, close to the United States. The maritime ones are:

• New brunswick
• New Scotland
• Prince Edward Island (PEI)

Many of the most popular Canadian cruises include the maritime provinces and the northeastern United States (parts of New England and, in some cases, New York). Some also visit parts of Quebec and Newfoundland.

Passengers can enjoy the Canadian coastline, especially in the fall, when the foliage turns the landscape into vivid shades of red and orange in port cities such as Halifax, Saint John, Quebec, Charlottetown, and Sydney, Nova Scotia.

SEE ALSO: How to work on the largest cruise ship in the world

Canadian Arctic Cruises

Arctic cruise ships sail along various routes around the coast of the Nunavut Territory, including Baffin Island, as well as the northern part of Quebec (Nunavik). Many cruise ships also cross into Greenland, making stops at ports like Nuuk.

Some cruise ships take passengers deep into the Northwest Steps, channels between the islands of Canada’s Arctic archipelago, where various explorers of history were lost trying to find a route to the Pacific.

Canadian Arctic cruises are the perfect opportunity for wildlife lovers to observe polar bears, seals, whales, and Arctic birds.

The magnificent frozen landscapes of Canada’s Arctic include fjords, icebergs, and glaciers. Many cruise ships give passengers the opportunity to see these natural wonders up close and take hiking tours in the harbor.

SEE ALSO: COVID-19 entry restrictions to Canada: The latest updates

Vancouver to Alaska Cruises

Several cruise companies sail from Vancouver, British Columbia, along the Pacific coast to the US state of Alaska. Passengers can enjoy both the Canadian coastline and the American coastline while sailing north.

Cruises from Vancouver to Alaska offer the opportunity to see grizzly bears, humpback whales, and belugas and enjoy them in their natural environment.

Vancouver is one of Canada’s most artistic and diverse cities and is well worth a visit for its arts scene, music, local seafood, and fun excursions to the nearby mountains.

Remember that all eligible travelers flying to Vancouver must obtain the Canada eTA through the online form. Once through border control, you can enjoy your Canadian cruise adventure.

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Australian citizens who wish to visit Canada for tourism purposes will not require a visa as long as their stay is less than 6 months.

However, one of the requirements to travel to Canada from Australia is to have the eTA electronic travel authorization. This permit is a mandatory requirement to enter Canadian territory and that, in addition to Australia, affects other countries such as the U.K and France.

On the contrary, citizens of countries such as India, the Philippines, Nigeria, or China will require a tourist visa to enter Canada. The period of stay is similar to that of the eTA permit and, in the same way, it is not valid for activities such as working or studying in Canada.

In the next section, we will explain the difference between Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and Visitor Visa.

SEE ALSO: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): express visa exemption for Canada

Tourist Visa for Canada: eTA vs Visitor Visa

When it comes to applying for a tourist visa to Canada, the difference between having to process an eTA travel authorization or a Visitor Visa to enter the North American country as a tourist will depend exclusively on the nationality of the traveler.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

It is an electronic travel authorization that allows you to enter Canada as a tourist for a maximum period of 6 months.

This permit is not a guarantee of access to Canadian territory, since an immigration official from Canada will be in charge of accepting or not accessing the country.

Visitor Visa

The Visitor Visa is a document issued by the Canadian embassies that enables a foreign visitor to enter the country by air and as a tourist for a maximum stay of 6 months.

As with the eTA permit, the Visitor Visa does not guarantee entry into Canada, this decision rests exclusively with the immigration officer, who is also the one who will determine whether or not the traveler can enter Canadian territory.

SEE ALSO: Express entry Canada: How to apply

Maximum time to be as a tourist in Canada

Despite the fact that tourist permits and visas for Canada offer a period of up to 6 months to visit the country; the final decision on how long you can stay in Canada as a tourist will rest with the immigration officer. This official will be in charge of deciding if the maximum time established by travel permits and authorizations can be used or if on the contrary, the stay should be limited to a shorter period, and even if access to Canada is denied despite having a tourist visa.

The specific date to leave Canada will be indicated in the passport. However, there is the option of extending the stay in Canadian territory. To do this, the interested party must request an extension of their visa at least 30 days in advance of the expiration date of the permit.

In the following section, we detail the necessary requirements to obtain a tourist visa for Canada.

SEE ALSO: Study in Canada with an Australian passport

Requirements for a tourist trip in Canada

To travel to Canada from countries such as Australia, the U.K, France, Andorra (eTA); or from the Philippines, India, or China (Visitor Visa), simply the following mandatory requirements must be met:

• Have a valid passport with a validity of at least 6 months.
• Be in good health
• Have no serious criminal record
• Justify that you intend to return to the country of origin once the visit to Canada is over
• Prove that you have sufficient financial means to cover the stay in the North American country.

Please note: it will not be necessary to apply for the eTA to Canada if your intention is to reach the country by car, train, bus, or boat. However, the visitor will be required to have all the necessary documentation to enter Canadian territory.

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The eTA Canada is a travel authorization that exempts nationals of certain countries from having to apply for a conventional visa to enter Canadian territory.

We at FirstAris.com have taken time to put together a comprehensive guide about the Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), you should take some time to read through and get all the information necessary in other to prevent avoidable errors.

The following countries are eligible for the Canada ETA:

• Andorra
• Anguila
• Australia
• Austria
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Bermuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Cayman Islands
• Chile
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Falkland Islands
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Gibraltar
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• South Korea
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Mexico
• Monaco
• Montserrat
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Papua New Guinea
• Pitcairn Island
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• St. Helena
• Samoa
• San Marino
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Solomon Islands
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City

Do Canadian residents or dual citizens need an eTA for Canada?

Permanent residents of Canada do not require an eTA. They just need their Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) or their Permanent resident Travel Document to enter Canada.

Dual citizens also do not require an eTA to enter Canada if they present their Canadian passports at the border.

Do U.S. citizens and residents need an eTA for Canada?

U.S. citizens do not require a Canada eTA or any other type of visa or travel authorization to gain entrance into Canada. The only required document is their valid U.S. passport.

U.S. permanent residents A.K.A Green Card holders would require an eTA to travel to Canada, as well as their Green Card and passport.

DO STUDENTS AND WORKERS NEED AN ETA FOR CANADA?

For those from a visa-exempt country who possesses a work or study permit would automatically be granted an eTA when their work or study permit application is accepted.

However, if their work or study permit was issued prior to August 2015 they would require an ETA in order to return to Canada by air.

follow the links to get more information about Study in Canada without a student visa or working in Canada with your eTA.