ETA Visa vs Traditional Canada Visa | Key Facts for Travelers

Are you planning a trip to Canada? But wait, have you made a decision about your visa? Here is the complete guide to ETA Visa vs Traditional Canada Visa.

This guide will answer all the questions such as:

1. What are the eligibility requirements for an ETA visa and a traditional Canada visa?

2. What are the study and work rights for an ETA visa and a traditional Canada visa?

3. How does the cost of both visas differ?

4. What is the comparison of ETA vs TRV visitor visa?

5. How does the application process differ in both ETA and traditional Canada visa

Let’s get started with an in-depth overview of ETA and traditional Canada visas.

Overview: ETA Visa vs Traditional Canada Visa

An ETA Visa is an Electronic Travel Authorization. Many people use an ETA visa in place of other visas to enter Canada. ETA visa is known as the ideal visa for short-term visits. So you can avail yourself of the option of multiple entries in Canada.

An ETA visa is a kind of entry visa that has validity for up to five years. It is basically electronically linked to your passport. So, whenever the passport expires, the ETA visa will automatically expire.

If you have an ETA visa, you are still not sure about entry to Canada. So, it is very important to convince the border officer about your eligibility for entry. Citizens of certain visa-exempt countries, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, and Australia, can apply for an ETA.

A Traditional Canada Visa refers to different visas that allow longer stays in Canada. For example, 

• Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
• Study Permit
• Work Permit. 

These visas are necessary for travelers from non-visa-exempt countries. So, if you are planning to stay longer, study, or work in Canada, the traditional visa is for you. The traditional visa application process takes more time than ETA visas.

In ETA Visa vs Traditional Canada Visa, there are many differences that you will notice in cost, eligibility, etc. Let’s have a look at it.

Key Differences: ETA Visa vs Traditional Canada Visa

1. Purpose and Eligibility

ETA Visa Canada is especially for people who prefer short-term visits. So, an ETA visa is a good option if you want to go to Canada for tourism or business purposes. However, not every country is eligible for an ETA visa. The following countries are included in the list of eligible countries.

• Germany
• South Korea. 
• United Kingdom
• Australia
• France
• Japan

So, if your country is in any of the above countries, you can travel to Canada by air. Canada does not allow entry by land or sea on an ETA visa.

But, traditional Canada visas, like visitor visas, are for people who plan to live more in Canada. These visas can have different purposes, such as studying, working, or visiting.

In ETA Visa vs Traditional Canada Visa, there is a major difference in eligible countries. For traditional visas, there is no specific list of eligible countries. However, citizens from all countries can apply for the visa. There are the following requirements.

• A valid travel document, like a passport.
• Health certificate.
• No past criminal record.
• Evidence of a strong relationship with your home country. This will help to convince the immigration officer that you will return to your country.

2. Stay Duration and Visa Processing Time

The ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) visa is valid for up to five years. Thus, the visa holder can come to Canada multiple times. However, there is one restriction of six months of stay per entry.

The traditional visa has no fixed duration of stay. Basically, it all depends on the visa type. For example, 

• TRV (temporary resident visa) has a validity of ten years but offers a stay of six months in Canada.
• A study visa allows a stay from three to five years in Canada.
• A work permit can have a maximum validity of four years, which can be extended to six years.

The processing time of the ETA visa is less than that of the traditional visitor visa. Thus, the processing time of an ETA visa application takes just a few minutes. The reason is that the visa application process is online.

On the other hand, a traditional visa has different visa processing times, such as,

• TRV (temporary resident visa) applications get processed in 20-90 days.
• A student visa application gets processed in 1-16 weeks.
• A work visa takes up to 27 weeks to process.

3. Work and Study Rights: ETA Visa vs Traditional Canada Visa

Many people try to take advantage of visiting Canada. Thus, some want to earn extra money while others want to have some study courses. So before deciding to work or study in Canada, first check the rights of your visa.

In the case of an ETA visa, there is no permission to work or study. Thus, the main purposes are tourism, business visits, or transit. 

But, the traditional visa can or cannot allow work or study. Thus, it depends on the visa type. A Visitor Visa does not grant work or study rights. But you can switch to a study or work permit later.

A study visa allows the student to work 20 hours per week. Moreover, students can convert their student visas to work visas. Thus, students apply for the post-graduation work program.

Hurry up to fill out the visa application form from our website.

4. Cost: ETA Visa vs Traditional Canada Visa

The ETA is affordable at just CAD 7. So, visa-exempt travelers who only need short-term authorization find ETA a good option.

Traditional visas are more expensive. The fees start from CAD 100 for a Visitor Visa and higher for study and work permits. The cost can also increase based on the complexity of your application.

Let’s have a look at the cost comparison table.

Visa Type	Cost (CAD)
ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)	7
Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)	100
Study Permit	150
Work Permit	155
Super Visa	100
Permanent Residency Application	1,325

Application Process: ETA Visa vs Traditional Canada Visa

ETA Canada Application Process:

1. Online applications for an ETA visa are open.
2. Fill out the ETA visa form from our website.
3. Provide personal information, passport details, and travel plans.
4. Pay the fee of CAD 7.
5. Wait for a confirmation email.
6. Most applicants receive approval within minutes, though it can take up to a few days.

Traditional Visa Application Process:

1. Select the Visa Type, such as a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit.
2. Provide supporting documents, including proof of funds, travel itinerary, and purpose of visit.
3. Applications can be submitted online from our website.
4. Another option is submission through a visa application center.
5. Wait for processing, which can take weeks to months, depending on the type of visa.
6. Some applicants may be required to attend an interview or submit biometric information.

Comparison with other visas

Let’s compare the ETA visa and traditional Canada visa with other visas.

ETA vs Transit Visa for Canada

There is a difference between an ETA visa and a Transit visa. If you are looking for short-term visits, business, or transit, an ETA visa will work best for you. Meanwhile, a transit visa is needed while traveling through Canada toward another country.

Let’s have a look at the ETA vs Transit Visa for Canada.

Feature	ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)	Transit Visa
Purpose	Short-term visits for tourism, business, or transit	For travelers transiting through Canada on their way to another country
Eligibility	Citizens of visa-exempt countries traveling by air	Citizens of visa-required countries who are transiting through Canada
Cost	CAD 7	Free
Duration of Stay	Up to 6 months per visit	Usually, less than 48 hours
Application Process	Simple online application	Requires a formal application with supporting documents
Processing Time	1-3 business days	Varies, typically 5-20 business days
Validity	Five years or until the passport expires	Valid only for the duration of the transit trip
Travel Method	Air travel only	Air, land, or sea
Work/Study Rights	Not allowed	Not allowed
Biometric Requirement	No	Sometimes required
Entry Type	Multiple entries within the validity period	Single or multiple entries for the specific transit trip

Canada ETA vs Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)

ETA visa does not allow long-term visits to Canada. On the other hand, visitor visas give the chance to stay in Canada longer. For example, visiting family or business tours.

Let’s have a look at the Canada ETA vs TRV (temporary resident visa).

Feature	ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)	Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
Purpose	Short-term visits for tourism, business, or transit	Tourism, visiting family, business, study (short-term), or transit
Eligibility	Citizens of visa-exempt countries traveling by air	Citizens of all countries that need a visa to enter Canada
Cost	CAD 7	CAD 100
Duration of Stay	Up to 6 months per visit	Up to 6 months per visit
Application Process	Simple online application	Detailed online or paper application with supporting documents
Processing Time	1-3 business days	Several weeks to months
Validity	Up to 5 years or until the passport expires	Up to 10 years or until the passport expires
Travel Method	Air travel only	Air, land, or sea
Work/Study Rights	No work or study allowed	No work or study allowed (except short-term study under six months)
Biometric Requirement	No	Often required for citizens of certain countries
Entry Type	Multiple entries during the validity period	Single or multiple entries

ETA vs eVisa for Canada

Canada currently does not offer an eVisa system like other countries. Canada offers the ETA visa instead. But, an eVisa serves a broader range of entry purposes. Thus, it includes longer stays or work. Thus, countries like India, Turkey, and Australia offer eVisa.

Final thoughts

ETA Visa vs Traditional Visa Canada is a debate when you don’t know your travel needs. An ETA visa is a good option if you want a break from your hectic work. But, an ETA visa is cost-efficient and less time-consuming. But, the traditional visa is for studying, working, or visiting family. Thus, this needs a longer stay duration. 

So, hurry up to fill out your visa application form on the website. And get your bags packed for the amazing travel journey in Canada.

FAQS.

How long can I live in Canada with an ETA visa?

An ETA allows visitors to stay in Canada for up to 6 months per visit. Yet, the border services officer determines the stay time upon entry into Canada. The ETA is valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires. Each entry into Canada allows a stay of 6 months or less.

Do I need an ETA for Canada?

If you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country and are flying into Canada, you will need an ETA. But, Canadian citizens and permanent residents do not need an ETA.

What is the difference between an ETA and a traditional visa for Canada?

An ETA is a quick and simple online authorization for short-term visits. It is available to citizens of visa-exempt countries. A traditional visa is for travelers from non-visa-exempt countries. or those staying longer. Do I need an ETA if I already have a visa?
No, you do not need to apply for an ETA if you hold a valid visa to enter Canada. The visa will serve as your authorization to enter the country.