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Entry requirement · Italy passport

Do Italian citizens need a visa for Canada?

Passport Italy
Destination Canada

Italy passport holders do not need a traditional visa for Canada, but must get an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) online before departure.

Answer eTA required

No visa, but an eTA is required

Entry requirement
eTA required
Maximum stay
Check on entry
Apply before travel
Yes
Last updated
February 2026

How to apply

Checked November 2026

⚠️ IRCC warns that many third-party websites charge extra to submit eTA applications and are not operating for the Government of Canada; the official fee is CAD 7 on canada.ca. Use only the official links below.

Official route

Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) - needed by visa-exempt nationals flying to or through Canada

Fee
CAD 7 (non-refundable)
Valid for
Up to 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first
Processing
Most are approved within minutes; if documents are needed, IRCC emails instructions within 72 hours
Official site →

At the border

  • Visitor visa applicants need a passport valid for at least 6 months from the planned travel date.
  • The eTA applies only to air travel; visa-exempt visitors arriving by land or sea do not need one.
  • A new passport means a new eTA, because the eTA is linked electronically to the passport used to apply.
  • Visitors are normally allowed to stay up to 6 months; the border officer makes the final decision.
  • Visa applicants should be ready to show travel history, an itinerary, bank statements and employment or invitation letters.
  • US lawful permanent residents are exempt from the eTA but must carry proof of status and a valid national passport.

Recent changes

  • 2026: IRCC temporary Ebola-related special measures were extended until 27 November 2026 (noted on the visitor visa page).

Official source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) - Canada.ca · Not yet confirmed officially: consularVisa.processing: no standard visitor visa processing time was given on the page read (IRCC publishes live times by country)

What Italy passport holders need to do

  1. Apply on the official government website or app before you book non-refundable travel.
  2. Pay the fee and wait for approval, which usually arrives by email within minutes to a few days.
  3. Travel with the same passport you used in the application.

Italy is one of 52 passports in the “eta required” group for Canada. See the full Canada visa requirements for every passport.

Other easy destinations in North America for Italy passport holders

Canada is one of 8 destinations in the “eta required” group for the Italy passport, which ranks #3 worldwide with a mobility score of 165. Of 23 destinations in North America, 22 need no visa arranged in advance; the easiest are listed below.

DestinationRequirementMax stay
Antigua and Barbuda Visa-free 180 days
Bahamas Visa-free 240 days
Barbados Visa-free 90 days
Belize Visa-free –
Costa Rica Visa-free 180 days
Dominica Visa-free 180 days
Dominican Republic Visa-free –
El Salvador Visa-free 180 days
Grenada Visa-free 90 days
Guatemala Visa-free 90 days
Haiti Visa-free 90 days
Honduras Visa-free 90 days

All visa-free countries for the Italy passport

Frequently asked questions

Do Italian citizens need a visa for Canada?

Italy passport holders do not need a traditional visa for Canada, but must get an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) online before departure.

Do Canada citizens need a visa for Italy?

Canada passport holders can enter Italy without a visa for up to 90 days.

Canada visa requirements for other passports

Data last updated February 2026. This page covers short visits such as tourism. Rules can change at short notice and differ for work, study or long stays. Confirm with the embassy or official immigration website of Canada before you book.