🇹🇭THAILAND

🇨🇦CANADATH-CA

Do Thailand passport holders need a visa to visit Canada?

Q: When can a Thai citizen use the cheap eTA instead of a visa?

If you have held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years OR hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, AND you arrive by air, you can apply for the CAD 7 eTA instead of a TRV.

Q: Does the eTA work if I drive or take a cruise to Canada?

No. The eTA only covers entry by air. For land or sea entry you must hold a valid TRV.

Q: How long can I stay as a tourist?

Visitors are normally allowed up to 6 months per entry, at the discretion of the border officer.

Q: Where do Thai applicants give biometrics?

At the VFS Global Canada Visa Application Centre in Bangkok, after submitting the online TRV application.

Q: How much should I budget in total?

As little as CAD 7 if you qualify for the eTA, or roughly CAD 185–220 for a TRV including biometrics and the VFS service fee.

Thai ordinary passport holders need a visa for Canada. The default is a visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa, TRV). However, if you have held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years OR hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, you may instead apply for a low-cost electronic travel authorization (eTA) — but only when arriving by air. Thailand is on Canada's list of visa-required countries, so a Thai ordinary passport holder normally needs a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit for tourism. The TRV costs CAD 100 plus a CAD 85 biometrics fee, is applied for online through IRCC with biometrics given at the VFS Global Canada Visa Application Centre in Bangkok, and typically allows stays of up to 6 months. Since 2023, Thailand is also part of Canada's expanded eTA program (eTA-X): Thai citizens who have held a Canadian visitor visa in the last 10 years, or who currently hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, can instead apply online for a CAD 7 eTA (valid up to 5 years). The eTA only covers arrival by air — anyone entering by land or sea, or who does not meet the eTA conditions, still needs a TRV. Verified against IRCC entry-requirements and eTA pages on 2026-05-30.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

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.

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Visitor Visa (TRV); or expanded eTA if eligible

Maximum stay

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

per entry

Entries

Single or multiple entry (multiple typical for TRV; eTA multiple)

from issue date

Visa fee

TRV: CAD 100 + CAD 85 biometrics | eTA: CAD 7

consular fee only

Processing time

TRV: about 4–8 weeks after biometrics | eTA: minutes to a few days

standard track

Validity

TRV: up to 10 years / passport expiry | eTA: up to 5 years / passport expiry

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm your pathway

Default is a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). Check eTA eligibility: have you held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years OR do you hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, AND will you arrive by air? If yes, the cheaper eTA applies; otherwise apply for a TRV.

· Eligibility check

/02

Create an IRCC account and complete the application

For a TRV, apply online at the IRCC secure account; complete forms, upload passport bio page, photo, proof of funds, travel purpose and ties to Thailand. For an eTA, fill the short online form with passport and US visa details.

· Online· IRCC portal

/03

Pay the fees

Pay CAD 100 (TRV) plus CAD 85 biometrics by card; or CAD 7 for the eTA. Keep the payment receipt.

· Credit card

/04

Give biometrics (TRV only)

After submitting a TRV application you receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter; book and attend the VFS Global Canada Visa Application Centre in Bangkok for fingerprints and photo. The eTA requires no biometrics.

· VFS Global Bangkok

/05

Wait for a decision

Track status in your IRCC account. TRVs take roughly 4–8 weeks from biometrics; most eTAs are approved within minutes (some need a few days).

· Online tracking

/06

Receive authorization and travel

For a TRV, send your passport for visa stickering as instructed. The eTA is linked electronically to your passport. Carry supporting documents and meet the officer at the port of entry.

· Port of entry

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 10 complete

Thai passport valid for the duration of stay

required

Completed TRV application (IMM 5257) or online eTA form

required

Recent digital passport-style photo

required

Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements)

required

Travel itinerary / flight and accommodation details

recommended

Proof of ties to Thailand (job letter, property, family)

recommended

Valid US non-immigrant visa or prior Canadian visa (for eTA path)

required

Biometrics appointment confirmation at VFS Bangkok (TRV)

required

Letter of invitation from Canadian host, if applicable

optional

Travel medical insurance

recommended

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Visitor visa (TRV) applicationCAD 100Per person; family maximum CAD 500

BiometricsCAD 85Per person; family maximum CAD 170 (TRV only)

Expanded eTA (eTA-X)CAD 7Alternative to TRV for eligible air travelers

VFS Global service feeapprox. CAD 20–35Varies; charged by the Bangkok application centre

Total estimateCAD 7 — CAD 220incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard TRV (online)

About 4–8 weeks

Applied online via IRCC; processing starts after biometrics at VFS Bangkok.

Expanded eTA (if eligible)

Minutes to a few days

Online; most approvals are near-instant. Air travel only.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Thailand is a visa-required nationality

Canada lists Thailand among countries whose citizens need a visa to visit, so a TRV is the baseline requirement.

High

/02

No automatic visa-free or full eTA access

Unlike visa-exempt nationalities, Thai citizens cannot get a plain eTA without meeting the expanded eligibility conditions.

High

/03

Conditional eTA-X pathway exists

Holders of a valid US non-immigrant visa or a Canadian visa from the past 10 years can use the cheaper eTA by air.

Medium

/04

Mode of entry matters

The eTA only covers air arrivals; land and sea entries always require a TRV.

Medium

/05

Proof of ties and funds assessed

Officers require evidence the visitor will leave Canada and can support themselves.

Low

/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

2026-05-30

Thailand to Canada route verified

Confirmed via IRCC entry-requirements and eTA pages that Thai ordinary passport holders are visa-required (TRV: CAD 100 + CAD 85 biometrics), with the expanded eTA-X option (CAD 7, air only) for those holding a valid US non-immigrant visa or a Canadian visa from the past 10 years.

/09 — The questions