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🇹🇭Thailand

🇨🇦CanadaTH-CA

Thailand to Canada visa requirements

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 CAD 185 in mandatory IRCC fees for a TRV with biometrics. Optional VAC courier or other paid services vary.

Thai ordinary passport holders need authorization for Canada. The default is a visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa, TRV). If you have held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years OR hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, you may instead apply for a CAD 7 electronic travel authorization (eTA), but only for air travel to or through Canada. Thailand is a visa-required nationality for Canada, so Thai ordinary passport holders normally need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for tourism. The TRV costs CAD 100 plus a CAD 85 biometrics fee, is applied for online through IRCC, and Thai applicants can give biometrics at the Canada Visa Application Centre in Bangkok. IRCC's visitor-visa processing data for applications from Thailand lists 19 days as of the June 17, 2026 update, but the time is not a guarantee. Thailand is also in Canada's expanded eTA program: Thai citizens who have held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years, or who currently hold a valid US non-immigrant visa on the day they apply, can apply online for a CAD 7 eTA valid up to 5 years. The eTA only covers flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport. Anyone entering by land or sea, or who does not meet the eTA conditions, still needs a TRV. Verified against IRCC visitor visa, eTA, biometrics, processing-time, and VAC pages on 2026-06-20.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-20

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 2026-06-20

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: 19 days listed for Thailand by IRCC on 2026-06-17 | eTA: minutes typical, sometimes days

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

Confirm your pathway

Default is a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). Check eTA eligibility: have you held a Canadian visitor 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. IRCC currently lists 19 days for visitor visa applications from Thailand; some cases take longer if extra review or documents are needed. Most eTAs are approved within minutes, though 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

12 items

Personalized checklist

Thailand -> Canada · Visitor Visa (TRV); or expanded eTA if eligible

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredThai passport valid for the duration of stay

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

required

RequiredCompleted TRV application (IMM 5257) or online eTA form

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

required

RequiredRecent digital passport-style photo

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

required

RequiredProof of sufficient funds (bank statements)

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

required

RecommendedTravel itinerary / flight and accommodation details

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

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

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

recommended

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

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

required

RequiredBiometrics appointment confirmation at VFS Bangkok (TRV)

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

required

OptionalLetter of invitation from Canadian host, if applicable

Signed or stamped letter with host contact details and visit arrangements

optional

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

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

recommended

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.

Official sourcesIRCC – Check if you need a visa or eTA (Date modified 2026-04-10)IRCC – eTA for citizens from some visa-required countries (Date modified 2026-05-26)IRCC – Visitor visa: about the document (Date modified 2026-05-26)

Application link included: IRCC – Check if you need a visa or eTA (Date modified 2026-04-10)

Open link

/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

Optional VAC services or courierVariesOnly if you choose paid services through the visa application centre

Total estimateCAD 7 — CAD 185incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard TRV (online)

19 days

IRCC visitor-visa processing data for Thailand, updated June 17, 2026. This is an estimate, not a guarantee.

Expanded eTA (if eligible)

Minutes to a few days

Online; most approvals are near-instant. Air travel or airport transit 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 visitor 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

2026-06-20

Reviewed by Claude Code

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

2026-06-20

Thailand to Canada route rechecked

Codex rechecked IRCC visitor visa, eTA, biometrics, processing-time, and VAC sources. Thailand remains visa-required by default, with the expanded eTA air-travel option for qualifying Thai citizens. Updated current TRV processing from a rough 4–8 weeks to IRCC's Thailand value of 19 days, and refreshed source dates, checked-date, and fee-total wording.

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 visitor visa from the past 10 years.

/09 — The questions