Canada Visa & Entry Information

Current as at 21 October 2026

Guests visiting Canada as part of their Explorations by Norwegian voyage must ensure they meet the entry requirements applicable to their passport nationality and method of arrival into Canada.

Depending on your nationality and travel arrangements, you may require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) or a Visitor Visa.

Importantly, the requirements differ depending on whether you are flying into Canada or arriving by cruise ship. 

What Is a Canadian eTA?

A Canadian Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is an entry requirement for eligible visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to, or transiting through, Canada by air.

Applications are completed online through the official Government of Canada website and currently cost CAN$7. To apply, you will need a valid passport, credit or debit card and email address. Fee subject to change. 

👉 View Canadian eTA information and apply

Do I Need a Visa or eTA?

Canadian entry requirements depend on:

• your citizenship or nationality
• whether you are travelling by air, land or sea
• the passport or travel documents you hold. 

You can check the requirements for your individual passport and travel arrangements using the official Government of Canada entry requirements information:

👉 Check what you need to enter Canada

Visa-Exempt Nationalities

Guests travelling on passports from the following countries and territories generally do not require a Canadian Visitor Visa.

If flying to Canada or transiting through a Canadian airport: an eTA is generally required.

If arriving in Canada by cruise ship: an eTA is generally not required, however guests must still travel with a valid passport. 

* Passport or travel-document conditions apply. Guests should check their individual requirements using the official Government of Canada entry requirements information.

British Passport Holders

Several British passport categories are eligible for an eTA when travelling by air, including British citizens, British nationals (overseas), certain British overseas citizens and overseas territory citizens, and British subjects with the right of abode in the United Kingdom. 

United States Passport Holders

United States nationals generally do not require a Canadian Visitor Visa or eTA. Guests must still travel with the appropriate identification and entry documentation for their journey. Government of Canada – Entry Requirements 

Important for Cruise Guests

An Australian, New Zealand or eligible British passport holder flying into Canada to join their cruise generally requires an eTA.

The same guest generally does not require an eTA when arriving in Canada aboard a cruise ship, but must still travel with a valid passport.

Visitor Visa-Required Nationalities

Guests travelling on passports from the following countries and territories generally require a valid Canadian Visitor Visa.

A Visitor Visa is required when entering Canada by air, car, train, bus or boat, including cruise ships. 

Stateless individuals and travellers using refugee travel documents also require a visa to visit or transit through Canada.

*Some Guests May Qualify for an eTA Instead

Some citizens of the countries marked with an asterisk (*) may qualify for an eTA instead of a Visitor Visa if they meet Canada's eligibility conditions and are travelling to Canada by air. [canada.ca]

These include:

Important: Guests from these countries entering Canada by cruise ship generally require a valid Visitor Visa, even if they would otherwise qualify for an eTA when travelling by air. 

** Separate passport or travel-document conditions apply to certain Israeli, Romanian and Taiwanese travellers. Guests should check the requirements for their specific travel document before travelling. 

What Do I Need to Do?

If You Are Flying Into or Through Canada

✅ Check the requirements applicable to your passport nationality.

✅ If an eTA is required, apply before travelling through the official Government of Canada website.

✅ Ensure you travel using the appropriate passport associated with your eTA.

If You Are Arriving in Canada by Cruise Ship

✅ If you are travelling on a passport from a visa-exempt/eTA-eligible country, you generally do not need an eTA solely to enter Canada by cruise ship. 

✅ You must still travel with a valid passport.

✅ If your nationality requires a Visitor Visa, ensure you obtain the appropriate visa before travelling.

✅ Check your complete travel arrangements. Even if you do not require an eTA to enter Canada aboard the ship, you may still require one if you are flying into or transiting through a Canadian airport.

Before You Travel

Canadian entry requirements vary depending on your passport nationality, travel documents and method of arrival into Canada.

All guests are responsible for ensuring they hold the correct passport, visa, eTA and any other travel documentation required for their complete Explorations by Norwegian journey.

Failure to hold the appropriate travel documentation may result in you being unable to board your flight or cruise, or enter Canada.