Often over-looked issues, such as cruise ship visa requirements, can seriously throw a wrench in your cruise ship vacation plans. Many travellers are not aware that the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and Regulations (IRPR) require foreign tourists to obtain a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada, even if they are just here to visit.
Cruise Ship Visa Requirements
Cruise ship tours make temporary stopovers in various ports. As a result, it is easy to think that a visa is not required. However, ignorance of the law does not make one exempt from it. Consider that in 2015, about 11,000 cruise tourists were prevented from sailing to the west coast city of Victoria, Canada.
To find out whether you require a TRV, consult this Canadian government website for entry requirements by country. This page lists that countries whose nationals must have a visa to enter Canada. If your country is on the list, you will definitely need to apply for a TRV. If you don’t, you may not be able to board your ship. TRVs can be applied for online. You can also mail the Canadian government office which takes care of your country of nationality.
Electronic Travel Authorization
Additionally, even if your country is not on that list, and you are intending to fly to Canada to board your cruise ship, you may need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). According to the Canadian government, these applications can take up to several days to process, so it is best not to wait until the last minute to request the ETA. Citizens of the United States enjoy special travel rights in this regard. They are exempt from obtaining the TRV or the ETA.
If you have any further questions on cruise ship visa requirements or entering Canada, feel free to contact us toll-free at 1-866-972-7366.