Visa Requirements for Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens can visit 185 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival in 2025. This includes all of Europe (Schengen area for 90 days), the United Kingdom (6 months), United States (6 months), Japan (90 days), South Korea (180 days), Australia (ETA required), New Zealand (90 days), Mexico (180 days), and most of South America including Brazil (90 days), Argentina (90 days), and Chile (90 days). Popular Caribbean destinations like Jamaica, Barbados, and the Bahamas also allow visa-free entry.

The China tourist visa (L visa) costs $140 USD (approximately CAD $200) for Canadian applicants applying for a single-entry visa. Double-entry visas cost $140 USD and multiple-entry visas range from $140 to $190 USD. Additional service fees of $30 to $60 CAD apply when using the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, or Calgary. Processing takes 4 to 7 business days, with express options available for additional fees.

Canadian citizens can apply for an India e-Visa starting at $25 USD (approximately CAD $35) for a 30-day e-Tourist visa. The 1-year multiple-entry e-Tourist visa costs $40 USD (CAD $57), and the 5-year multiple-entry e-Tourist visa costs $80 USD (CAD $115). E-visa processing typically takes 3 to 5 business days. Traditional paper visas through BLS International cost more and take 5 to 10 business days.

No, Canadian citizens do not need a visa to visit any of the 29 Schengen countries in Europe for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This includes popular destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal, and Greece. Starting in 2025, Canadians will need to register for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) before travel, which costs €7 (approximately CAD $11) and is valid for 3 years.

Standard visa requirements for Canadians include: valid passport with 6+ months validity beyond travel dates and 2 blank pages, recent passport-size photographs (specifications vary by country), bank statements for the last 3 months showing sufficient funds, employment letter or proof of income, confirmed flight itinerary and hotel bookings, travel insurance (required by some countries), and cover letter explaining travel purpose. Canadian applicants often face simpler requirements due to the passport's strong reputation.

The China visa approval rate for Canadian applicants is approximately 95% based on recent data. Canadian passport holders are considered low-risk applicants by Chinese authorities. Rejection reasons are rare but may include incomplete documentation, previous immigration violations, or travel to certain restricted regions. Having a clear itinerary and hotel bookings significantly improves approval chances.

Yes, Canadian citizens can obtain a visa on arrival in Vietnam for stays up to 30 days. However, it is recommended to apply for an e-Visa online before travel, which costs $25 USD (approximately CAD $36), is valid for 90 days with multiple entries, and processes within 3 business days. Vietnam also offers visa-free entry for stays up to 45 days for Canadian passport holders as of 2025.

Canadian applicants face very low rejection rates globally due to the passport's strength. The highest rejection rates for Canadians are typically for Russia (currently suspended for most applicants), North Korea (restricted), and some African countries with limited diplomatic ties. For common visa destinations like China, India, and Saudi Arabia, Canadian rejection rates are below 5%. Proper documentation and clear travel purposes virtually guarantee approval.

To maximize visa approval chances as a Canadian: apply at least 2 to 4 weeks before travel, provide 3 months of bank statements showing stable finances, include clear employment verification or business registration, provide detailed day-by-day travel itinerary with hotel confirmations, ensure passport has at least 6 months validity and blank pages, use official e-visa portals or authorized visa centers (avoid third-party services), and for countries with stricter requirements, include a cover letter explaining your travel purpose and ties to Canada.