🇵🇭Philippines

🇨🇦CanadaPH-CA

Philippines to Canada visa requirements

Q: How much does the Canada visitor visa cost for Filipinos?

The TRV is CAD 100 plus a CAD 85 biometrics fee for most applicants, totalling CAD 185 unless biometrics are exempt or still valid.

Q: Does the eTA work if I drive in from the US?

No. The eTA is valid for air travel only. If you enter Canada by land or sea you still need a TRV sticker in your passport.

Q: How long can I stay as a tourist?

Visitors are usually allowed up to 6 months per entry, with the exact period decided by the border officer.

Q: How long does the visitor visa take?

It varies by visa office, workload and extra steps such as biometrics. Check IRCC's processing-time tool before applying. An eTA is usually approved within minutes, but some cases require additional documents.

Q: How long is the visa or eTA valid?

A multiple-entry TRV can be issued for up to 10 years, or until the passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first. An eTA can be valid up to 5 years or until the passport expires.

Philippine ordinary passport holders generally need a Canadian visitor visa. Eligible known travellers can apply for a CAD 7 eTA for air travel only if they currently hold a valid US non-immigrant visa or held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years. A Filipino tourist visiting Canada must, by default, obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV / visitor visa) before travelling. The official visitor visa fee is CAD 100, and most TRV applicants must also give biometrics for CAD 85 unless their biometrics are still valid or they are exempt. Canada added the Philippines to the expanded eTA program on 6 June 2023, but this is not a general visa waiver: eligible Filipinos can use a CAD 7 Electronic Travel Authorization only when they are travelling by air and either currently hold a valid US non-immigrant visa or held a Canadian visitor visa in the previous 10 years. Travellers who do not meet those conditions, or who enter by car, bus, train, boat or cruise ship, still need a visitor visa. Processing times vary by visa office and application complexity, so travellers should check IRCC's current processing-time tool; eTA decisions are usually emailed within minutes, but some applications require extra documents.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-21

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-21

Visa type

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV); eTA for eligible known travellers

Maximum stay

Up to 6 months per entry (officer's discretion)

per entry

Entries

Multiple-entry standard

from issue date

Visa fee

TRV CAD 100 + biometrics CAD 85 = CAD 185; eTA CAD 7

consular fee only

Processing time

TRV varies by visa office; eTA usually minutes, longer if documents are requested

standard track

Validity

TRV up to 10 years / passport or biometrics expiry; eTA up to 5 years / passport expiry

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Check which document you need

Use IRCC's country and eTA eligibility pages. If you hold a valid US non-immigrant visa or have held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years and will arrive by air, you can apply for an eTA. Otherwise you need a TRV.

· IRCC guidance· Air only for eTA

/02

Create an account and complete the application

For a TRV, apply online through IRCC and follow any Visa Application Centre instructions for biometrics or passport submission. For an eTA, complete the official online form with passport, email and a payment card.

· Online· TRV: detailed forms

/03

Pay the fees

Pay CAD 100 for the TRV plus CAD 85 biometrics (CAD 185 total), or CAD 7 for the eTA, by credit/debit card.

· Credit/debit card

/04

Give biometrics when required

Most TRV applicants must give fingerprints and a photo unless exempt or covered by still-valid biometrics from the past 10 years. eTA applicants do not give biometrics.

· TRV only· 10-year validity

/05

Wait for processing and decision

Visitor visa processing depends on the visa office, current workload and whether extra steps are needed; check IRCC's processing-time tool close to application time. eTA approvals usually arrive by email within minutes, but some applicants are asked for documents.

· IRCC tool· eTA usually minutes

/06

Travel with the right documents

The eTA is linked electronically to your passport — fly with the same passport. TRV holders carry the visa sticker; land/sea entry always needs the TRV.

· Same passport· Air vs land/sea

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

Philippines -> Canada · Temporary Resident Visa (TRV); eTA for eligible known travellers

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredPhilippine passport valid for the whole trip and used for the application

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredValid US non-immigrant visa OR Canadian visa issued in the past 10 years (for eTA route)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

conditional

RequiredCompleted online visitor visa application or official eTA form

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

required

ConditionalRecent photo or passport image if requested for the TRV application

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

conditional

RequiredProof of funds (bank statements, payslips)

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

required

RequiredTravel itinerary or flight booking

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RecommendedProof of ties to the Philippines (employment, property, family)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

OptionalLetter of invitation from a host in Canada

Signed or stamped letter with host contact details and visit arrangements

optional

RequiredBiometrics appointment confirmation (TRV)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

conditional

RequiredCredit/debit card for fee payment

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesIRCC – Entry requirements by country IRCC – eTA for citizens from some visa-required countries IRCC – eTA who can apply / basic entry requirements

Application link included: IRCC – eTA for citizens from some visa-required countries

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

TRV (visitor visa) application feeCAD 100Per person, non-refundable

Biometrics feeCAD 85Required for most TRV applicants unless exempt or still valid

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)CAD 7Only for eligible known travellers, air travel

Total estimateCAD 7 — CAD 185incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard TRV (visitor visa)

Varies; check IRCC's current tool

IRCC says visitor visa processing depends on the visa office and extra steps such as biometrics or document requests; submit well ahead of travel.

eTA (eligible travellers)

Usually within minutes

Most eTA applications are approved by email within minutes, but some applicants must submit documents before approval.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

No general visa-waiver for Philippine passports

The Philippines is not on Canada's full visa-exempt list, so a TRV is the default requirement.

High

/02

eTA only for known travellers

The cheaper eTA is limited to those with a valid US non-immigrant visa or a Canadian visa from the past 10 years.

High

/03

Air-travel-only condition

The eTA covers arrivals by air; land and sea entry still require a TRV sticker.

Medium

/04

Biometrics required for most TRV applicants

Most visitor visa applicants must give fingerprints and a photo unless exempt or covered by valid biometrics from the past 10 years.

Medium

/05

Proof of ties and funds scrutinized

Officers assess whether the applicant will return to the Philippines, so weak ties can lead to refusal.

Medium

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-06-21

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-21 · major

Codex rechecked Philippines to Canada entry rules

Corrected the eTA expansion effective date to 6 June 2023, replaced the fixed TRV processing estimate with IRCC's current processing-time guidance, removed an unsupported third-party service-fee estimate, and refreshed English/Chinese eTA, biometrics, fee, validity and land/sea-entry wording from official IRCC sources.

2026-05-30

Philippines to Canada route previously checked

Earlier verification recorded the route as visa-required with an eTA exception for eligible known travellers. The 2026-06-21 Codex recheck supersedes the earlier effective-date and processing-time wording.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Filipinos now enter Canada visa-free?—

Not generally. Since 6 June 2023, only eligible known travellers — Filipinos with a valid US non-immigrant visa or a Canadian visitor visa from the past 10 years — can fly to Canada with a CAD 7 eTA. Everyone else still needs a visitor visa (TRV).

How much does the Canada visitor visa cost for Filipinos?+

Does the eTA work if I drive in from the US?+

How long can I stay as a tourist?+

How long does the visitor visa take?+

How long is the visa or eTA valid?+

/11 — Passport tools