AMERICAS
Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions
Canada
Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions
Population
41.7 million
Exchange Rate
1 USD = 1.37 CAD
Advisory
Level 1
GDP/Capita
$54,340
Health Alerts
0
Last Updated
Mar 14, 2026
About CanadaOverview, geography, and key facts
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the second-largest country by total area, with the longest coastline of any country. Its border with the United States is the longest international land border. The country is characterized by a wide range of both meteorologic and geological regions. With a population of over 41 million, it has widely varying population densities, with the majority residing in its urban areas and large areas being sparsely populated. Its capital is Ottawa and its three largest metropolitan areas are Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
Capital
Ottawa
Population
41.7 million
Area
9,984,670 km²
Languages
English, French
Currency
Canadian dollar (CAD)
GDP/Capita
$54,340
Travel AdvisoryU.S. Department of State
Gov Data
Exercise normal precautions when traveling to this country.
Visa Types & Categories18 visa options for foreign nationals visiting Canada
New| Visa Type | Duration | Fee (USD) | Processing | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diplomatic and Official Visa Entry for accredited diplomats, consular officers, and representatives of international organizations | Duration of diplomatic posting | $0 | Varies; through diplomatic channels | Embassy |
| Super Visa (Parents and Grandparents) Extended visits for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents | Up to 5 years per entry; valid for up to 10 years (multiple entry) | $72 | 132 days | Family |
| Spousal/Common-Law Partner Sponsorship Permanent residency for spouse or common-law partner of Canadian citizen or PR | Permanent residency | $1,098 | 12 months (government service standard) | Family |
| Provincial Nominee Program Permanent residency through provincial/territorial nomination based on regional labour needs | Permanent residency | $1,098 | Varies; Express Entry-aligned streams faster; base PNP 15-19 months | Other |
| Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker / CEC / FST) Points-based permanent residency for skilled workers and tradespeople | Permanent residency | $1,098 | 6 months (80% of applications) | Other |
| Refugee Protection Claim (Asylum) Protection for persons fleeing persecution, torture, risk to life, or cruel/unusual treatment | Permanent residency upon acceptance | $0 | Significant backlog; ~150,000 pending cases | Other |
| Study Permit Full-time study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada | Length of study program plus 90 days | $108 | Varies by country; typically several weeks to months | Student |
| Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa) Tourism, family visits, or short-term business activities in Canada | Up to 6 months per entry; visa valid up to 10 years (multiple entry) | $72 | 48 days (fingerprint-exempt); varies by country | Tourist |
| Electronic Travel Authorization Entry authorization for visa-exempt nationals flying to Canada for tourism or transit | Valid up to 5 years or until passport expires; stays up to 6 months per entry | $5 | Minutes (most approved instantly online) | Tourist |
| Transit Visa Passing through Canada to reach another country, with a stop of less than 48 hours | Up to 48 hours | $0 | 2-3 weeks | Transit |
| Employer-Specific Work Permit (LMIA-based) Work for a specific Canadian employer under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program | Typically 1-2 years; matches LMIA validity | $112 | LMIA: 10-20 weeks; work permit varies by country | Work |
| Open Work Permit Work for any employer in Canada without being tied to a specific job | Varies; typically 1-3 years depending on eligibility stream | $184 | Varies by country and stream | Work |
| International Experience Canada - Working Holiday Youth from partner countries to travel and work in Canada | Up to 12 or 24 months depending on country agreement | $266 | ~2 weeks after invitation | Work |
| CUSMA/USMCA Professional Work Permit Work in Canada in a designated professional occupation for US or Mexican citizens | Up to 3 years; renewable | $112 | Can be issued at port of entry (same day) | Work |
| Intra-Company Transfer Work Permit Transfer executives, senior managers, or specialized knowledge workers from foreign affiliate to Canadian branch | Up to 3 years initially; max 7 years (5 for specialized knowledge) | $112 | 2-8 weeks | Work |
| Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program Temporary agricultural work for workers from Mexico and Caribbean countries | Maximum 8 months per year | $112 | ~7 days | Work |
| Post-Graduation Work Permit Open work permit for international graduates of eligible Canadian programs | 8 months to 3 years (matches program length) | $184 | 7-13 weeks; must apply within 180 days of completion | Work |
| Home Child Care Provider / Home Support Worker Pilot Immigration pathway for foreign caregivers to work and gain permanent residency | Permanent residency upon landing | $684 | Varies; intake opens March 31, 2026 | Work |
Not Available:
Start-Up Visa Program — CLOSED to new applications as of January 1, 2026. Applicants with valid 2025 commitment certificates must apply by June 30, 2026.
No Official Digital Nomad Visa (Remote Work on Visitor Status) — Canada permits remote work under visitor status for non-Canadian employers. No dedicated DN visa. Stay under 183 days to avoid tax residency. Cost shown is eTA; TRV is CAD $100.
Source: Indian Bureau of Immigration
Canada Passport PowerVisa-free access & travel freedom
New
137
Visa Free
41
Visa on Arrival
27
E-Visa
Visa-Free Destinations (137)
Albania (90d), Andorra (90d), Angola (30d), Anguilla (90d), Antigua and Barbuda (180d), Argentina (90d), Armenia (180d), Aruba (30d), Austria (90d), Bahamas (240d), Barbados (180d), Belarus (30d), Belgium (90d), Belize (30d), Bermuda (90d), Bolivia (90d), Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (90d), Bosnia and Herzegovina (90d), Botswana (90d), Brazil (90d), British Virgin Islands (30d), Brunei (90d), Bulgaria (90d), Cayman Islands (30d), Chile (90d), China (30d), Colombia (90d), Costa Rica (90d), Croatia (90d), Cuba (90d), Curacao (30d), Cyprus (90d), Czech Republic (90d), Denmark (90d), Dominica (180d), Dominican Republic (30d), Ecuador (90d), El Salvador (90d), Estonia (90d), Eswatini (30d), Faroe Islands (90d), Fiji (120d), Finland (90d), France (90d), French Guiana (90d), French Polynesia (90d), Gambia (90d), Georgia (365d), Germany (90d), Gibraltar, Greece (90d), Greenland (90d), Grenada (90d), Guadeloupe (90d), Guatemala (90d), Guyana (90d), Haiti (90d), Honduras (90d), Hong Kong (90d), Hungary (90d), Iceland (90d), Indonesia (30d), Iran (15d), Ireland (90d), Israel (90d), Italy (90d), Jamaica (90d), Japan (90d), Kazakhstan (30d), Kiribati (30d), Kosovo (90d), Kyrgyzstan (60d), Latvia (90d), Liechtenstein (90d), Lithuania (90d), Luxembourg (90d), Macau (30d), Malaysia (90d), Malta (90d), Martinique (90d), Mauritius (90d), Mexico (180d), Micronesia (30d), Moldova (90d), Monaco (90d), Mongolia (30d), Montenegro (90d), Montserrat (90d), Morocco (90d), Namibia (90d), Netherlands (90d), New Caledonia (90d), Nicaragua (90d), North Macedonia (90d), Norway (90d), Palestinian Territories, Panama (180d), Paraguay (90d), Peru (183d), Philippines (30d), Poland (90d), Portugal (90d), Qatar (30d), Reunion (90d), Romania (90d), Saint Kitts and Nevis (90d), Saint Lucia (42d), Saint Martin (90d), Saint Pierre and Miquelon (90d), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (30d), San Marino (90d), Serbia (90d), Seychelles (90d), Singapore (30d), Sint Maarten (90d), Slovakia (90d), Slovenia (90d), South Africa (90d), South Korea (90d), Spain (90d), Suriname (90d), Sweden (90d), Switzerland (90d), Taiwan (90d), Thailand (30d), Trinidad and Tobago (90d), Tunisia (90d), Turkey (90d), Turks and Caicos Islands (90d), Ukraine (90d), United Arab Emirates (30d), United Kingdom (180d), United States (180d), Uruguay (90d), Uzbekistan (30d), Vanuatu (30d), Vatican City
Visa on Arrival (41)
Bahrain (14d), Bangladesh (30d), Burundi (30d), Cambodia (30d), Cape Verde (30d), Comoros (45d), Cote d'Ivoire (30d), Djibouti (30d), Egypt (30d), Ethiopia (30d), Gabon (90d), Guinea-Bissau (90d), Jordan (30d), Laos (30d), Lebanon (30d), Lesotho (14d), Madagascar (90d), Malawi (30d), Maldives (30d), Marshall Islands (30d), Mauritania (30d), Mozambique (30d), Nauru (30d), Nepal (90d), Oman (14d), Palau (30d), Papua New Guinea (60d), Rwanda (30d), Samoa (60d), Sao Tome and Principe (15d), Solomon Islands (90d), Somalia (30d), Tajikistan (45d), Tanzania (90d), Timor-Leste (30d), Togo (7d), Tonga (31d), Tuvalu (30d), Uganda (90d), Zambia (90d), Zimbabwe (30d)
E-Visa Available (27)
Australia (90d), Azerbaijan (30d), Benin (30d), Bhutan (30d), Burkina Faso (30d), Cameroon (90d), Chad (30d), Eritrea (30d), Ghana (30d), Guinea (90d), India (30d), Kenya (90d), Kuwait (90d), Mali (30d), Myanmar (28d), New Zealand (90d), Niger (30d), Nigeria (30d), Pakistan (30d), Republic of Congo (30d), Russia (16d), Saudi Arabia (90d), Senegal (90d), Sierra Leone (30d), South Sudan (30d), Sri Lanka (30d), Vietnam (90d)
Entry Requirements for CanadaWhat U.S. citizens need to enter
Gov DataPassport Validity
Must be valid at time of entry (no 6-month rule for US citizens)
Visa Required
No — 180 days visa-free
Currency Limit
No limit, but amounts of CAD $10,000 or more must be declared
US citizens do not need a visa or eTA to visit Canada and may stay up to 180 days. A valid US passport, passport card, or NEXUS card is accepted for entry, with no 6-month validity rule. ArriveCAN is optional and no COVID-related requirements remain.
- Proof of Funds
- Border officers may ask for proof of sufficient funds but there is no fixed minimum amount
- Prohibited Items
- Cannabis, obscene material, hate propaganda, certain firearms without permits, fireworks and explosives, endangered species products
- Customs
- All food, plant, and animal products must be declared. Firearms require declaration and permits. Cannabis cannot cross the border.
- COVID-19
- None. No vaccination, testing, or quarantine requirements since October 2022.
Immigration StatisticsCanada nationals & U.S. immigration data
New
821K
In the U.S.
4.0M
Global Diaspora
141K
Refugees Hosted
- Top Destinations
- United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Lebanon, France
- Top Origins
- India, China, Philippines, Nigeria, Cameroon, Eritrea, France, Pakistan, Ukraine, Afghanistan
- Annual Emigrants
- 106,134
- Net Migration Rate
- 8.2 per 1,000
- DV Lottery
- Not Eligible
Safety Overview — CanadaCrime, terrorism, and practical safety tips
Gov Data
8/10
Overall Safety Score
10 = safest
10 = safest
Petty Crime
Low
Violent Crime
Low
Scams
Medium
Terrorism
Low
Natural Disasters
Medium
- Political Stability
- Stable
- Women Travelers
- Safe
- LGBTQ+ Safety
- Safe
- Emergency Number
- 911
Areas to Avoid
Remote Arctic territories (limited emergency services), Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, parts of Winnipeg's North End, some areas of northern Manitoba
Safety Tips
Source: U.S. Department of State
1. Keep valuables out of sight on public transit. 2. Do not leave items visible in parked cars. 3. Share your itinerary for remote hikes. 4. Check wildfire conditions before western Canada travel (May-Sep). 5. Carry bear spray in national park areas. 6. Be prepared for rapid weather changes in mountains/north. 7. Avoid walking alone in poorly lit areas at night.
Health InformationVaccinations, water safety, medical facilities
Gov Data Recommended Vaccinations
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, COVID-19, Tdap, MMR, Varicella, Polio, Rabies
Water & Food Safety
Tap water is generally safe to drink.
- Malaria Risk
- No risk
- Dengue Risk
- No risk
- Healthcare Quality
- Excellent — high cost
- Travel Insurance
- Strongly recommended
Common Health Risks
Seasonal influenza, Lyme disease (tick-borne, spring-fall), West Nile virus (summer), extreme cold exposure in winter, wildlife encounters in wilderness areas
Medical Evacuation
Excellent medical infrastructure. Remote northern areas may require air ambulance (STARS or Ornge). ER visits $1,000+, hospital stays $3,000-$4,000/day for uninsured visitors. Minimum $100,000 travel insurance recommended.
Cost of Living in CanadaAverage costs in major cities (USD)
New
Meal
$15.50
Inexpensive restaurant
Rent (1BR)
$1,350/mo
City center
Transport
$82/mo
Monthly pass
Internet
$52/mo
Broadband
Gym
$43/mo
Membership
Coffee
$3.85
Cappuccino
Cost Index vs. United States (US = 100)
Canada
72
U.S.
100
Cost of living is approximately 28% lower than the United States.
- Budget Traveler
- $1,200/mo
- Mid-Range
- $2,200/mo
- Comfortable
- $3,500/mo
- Rent (Outside Center)
- $1,050/mo
- Utilities
- $135/mo
- Taxi per km
- $1.50
Work & Employment in CanadaWork permits, salary requirements, and in-demand jobs
New
Employer-Specific Work Permit (LMIA-based / TFWP)
Foreign nationals with a valid job offer from a Canadian employer who has obtained a positive LMIA.
International Experience Canada - Working Holiday
Citizens aged 18-35 from 36 eligible partner countries.
Caregiver Pilot Program
Caregivers with CLB 4, high school diploma, 6 months experience, job offer as NOC 44100/44101.
Intra-Company Transfer Work Permit
Employees of multinationals transferring to Canadian branch. 1+ year with company in past 3 years.
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)
Citizens of Mexico or participating Caribbean countries for agricultural work.
CUSMA Professional Work Permit
U.S. or Mexican citizens in 60+ designated professions with pre-arranged employment.
Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
International graduates of eligible Canadian DLI programs (8+ months).
In-Demand Occupations
Source: Official government immigration portals
Study in CanadaTop universities, tuition, and student visa
New
#27
McGill University
Montreal
#29
University of Toronto
Toronto
#40
University of British Columbia
Vancouver
#94
University of Alberta
Edmonton
#119
University of Waterloo
Waterloo
- Student Visa
- Study Permit — $169 (Duration of study program + 90 days)
- Avg. Tuition
- $30,057/year (international students)
- Work While Studying
- Yes — 24 hours/week
- Post-Study Work Visa
- Yes — 8 months to 3 years (3 years for 2+ year programs or master's degrees)
- Language
- English, French
- Academic Year
- Starts September
Scholarships
Source: QS World University Rankings 2026, official education portals
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (doctoral, CAD $50,000/year), Canada Graduate Scholarships, and institutional merit-based awards widely available
Local Laws & Customs — CanadaLaws visitors must know
Gov Data- Drinking Age
- 19
- Alcohol Restrictions
- Legal drinking age is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec; 19 in all other provinces. Sold through government-regulated liquor stores in most provinces. Open containers prohibited in public.
- Drug Laws
- Cannabis is legal for adults (18-19 depending on province) up to 30g in public. Illegal to transport cannabis across international borders. Driving under influence is criminal. Other drugs (cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine) remain illegal.
- Photography
- No significant restrictions; photography in public spaces is legal. Private property owners may restrict. Quebec has stricter privacy laws for commercial use.
- Dress Code
- No dress code requirements.
- LGBTQ+ Status
- Legal
- Death Penalty
- Abolished
- VPN Legal
- Yes
- Tipping
- 15-20% at restaurants/bars (on pre-tax subtotal). 10-15% for taxis. $2-5/night hotel housekeeping. 15-20% for hairdressers.
Important Customs
Source: U.S. Department of State
Remove shoes when entering homes. Bilingual country (English/French) — French primary in Quebec. Metric system used. Smoking banned in most indoor public spaces.
Digital Nomad Guide — CanadaRemote work, connectivity, and coworking
New
Internet
86 Mbps
Community
7/10
Affordability
4/10
Quality
9/10
No Dedicated Digital Nomad Visa
Canada does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. Most remote workers use a tourist or business visa.
- Best Cities
- Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Halifax
- Tax Obligations
- Foreign remote workers on visitor status working for non-Canadian employers with income sourced outside Canada are not taxed. However, staying 183+ days may trigger deemed tax residency and worldwide income taxation. CRA evaluates residency based on residential ties, family, and centre of vital interests.
- Coworking
- Widely available
Citizenship & Residency — CanadaPathways to long-term residency and citizenship
New-
Naturalization 3 years of residence required. English or French.
-
By Birth Citizenship by birth (jus soli) — conditions may apply.
-
By Descent Citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis) — at least one parent must be a citizen.
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Citizenship Test
- Required
- Renunciation
- Allowed
Additional Notes
Source: Official government citizenship portals
Marriage does not grant citizenship — spouse must be sponsored for PR, then meet 3-year residency requirement. Bill C-3 (Dec 2025) expanded citizenship by descent to unlimited generations for those born before that date. 1,095 days physical presence required within 5 years. Online citizenship test for ages 18-54.
Emergency Contacts
New
Us Consulate
U.S. Consulate General Calgary
+1-403-266-8962
615 Macleod Trail S.E., 10th Floor, Calgary, Alberta T2G 4T8
ca.usembassy.gov →
Us Consulate
U.S. Consulate General Halifax
+1-902-429-2480
Purdy's Wharf Tower II, 1969 Upper Water Street, Suite 904, Halifax, NS B3J 3R7
ca.usembassy.gov →
Us Consulate
U.S. Consulate General Montreal
+1-514-398-9695
315 Place d'Youville, Suite 500, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 0A4
ca.usembassy.gov →
Us Consulate
U.S. Consulate General Quebec City
+1-418-692-2095
2 rue de la Terrasse-Dufferin, Quebec City, Quebec G1R 4T9
ca.usembassy.gov →
Us Consulate
U.S. Consulate General Toronto
+1-416-595-1700
360 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1S4
ca.usembassy.gov →
Us Consulate
U.S. Consulate General Vancouver
+1-604-685-4311
Unit 112, 1231 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6Z 0E2
ca.usembassy.gov →
Us Embassy
U.S. Embassy Ottawa
+1-613-688-5335
490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8
ca.usembassy.gov →
Transportation — CanadaGetting around in Canada
New| Airport | IATA | City |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto Pearson International Airport | YYZ | Toronto |
| Vancouver International Airport | YVR | Vancouver |
| Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport | YUL | Montreal |
| Calgary International Airport | YYC | Calgary |
| Edmonton International Airport | YEG | Edmonton |
| Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport | YOW | Ottawa |
| Halifax Stanfield International Airport | YHZ | Halifax |
| Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport | YWG | Winnipeg |
- Driving Side
- Right
- IDP Required
- Yes
- Rail Network
- Available — Adequate
- Metro Cities
- Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa
- Ride-sharing
- Uber, Lyft
- Road Quality
- Good
- Taxi Cost
- $1.34/km
- Ferry Routes
- BC Ferries (30+ routes along BC coast), Marine Atlantic (Nova Scotia-Newfoundland), numerous provincial services. Over 180 routes nationwide.
Economy — CanadaEconomic indicators and tax information
$2.28T
GDP
1.6%
GDP Growth
6.7%
Unemployment
1.9%
Inflation
- GDP per Capita (PPP)
- $65,500
- Industries
- Oil and gas extraction, Real estate, Mining, Financial services, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Technology, Forestry and logging, Automotive, Aerospace
- Exports
- Crude petroleum, Natural gas, Gold, Potash, Aircraft and parts, Motor vehicles, Lumber, Canola, Wheat, Aluminum
- Imports
- Motor vehicles and parts, Machinery and equipment, Electronics, Pharmaceuticals, Crude petroleum, Plastics, Medical instruments, Iron and steel
- Trade Agreements
- CUSMA (Canada-US-Mexico), CPTPP, CETA (Canada-EU), Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement, Canada-Korea FTA, Canada-Indonesia CEPA
- Income Tax
- 14-33% federal (5 brackets) plus 4-20.5% provincial
- Corporate Tax
- 15% federal (9% small business on first $500K); combined federal + provincial 9-31%
- GST / VAT
- 5% GST; HST 13-15%; QC 9.975% QST
- Corruption Index
- 75.00/100 (Transparency International)
- Ease of Business
- #23 (World Bank)
Geography & Practical Details
- Region
- Americas
- Capital
- Ottawa
- Area
- 9,984,670 km²
- Population
- 41,651,653
- Timezone
- UTC-08:00
- Languages
- English, French
- Calling Code
- +1
- Drives On
- Right
- ISO Code
- CA