A number of online tools make it easy to plan a trip to Canada. You can find everything you need on the Canadian government's website.

Our guide to the visa requirements for visiting Canada is a good place to start.

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What you need to know about visas for Canada

Most EU member states, Australia, New Zealand, the US and the UK don't require visas to visit Canada for up to six months. The Government of Canada has a list of countries that don't require visas.

Visitors from visa-exempt countries must have a valid passport in order to enter Canada. Visitors from visa-exempt countries are required to purchase an electronic travel authorization before leaving their home country.

It's best to apply at least 72 hours before you travel because the permit is usually granted within minutes. The appropriate class of visa is required for visitors from non-visa-waiver countries.

You should beware of websites that claim to process eTAs. You can use the official government website to apply for eTA.

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A woman wearing a bright red coat and hat, screams as she's hit with a snowball
Allow extra time to apply for visas during busy periods such as the winter holidays © Dawn Tardif / LWA/ Getty Images

What if I need a visa to travel to Canada?

The Government of Canada website has information on entry requirements for different nationalities. India, China, and many other countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas require visas.

Israel and Taiwan have very specific geographical and passport requirements that can make it difficult to get a visa.

How to apply for a visa for Canada

TRVs can now be applied for online You can stay in Canada for six months with a single-entry TRV, which costs C$100.

Most of the time your fingerprints will be taken. If you've visited a third country in between, you don't need a Canadian multiple entry TRV.

There are a lot of scam websites that claim to offer barrier-free visitor visas for Canada. Use the official Government of Canada website to report possible scam.

A kayaker in front of the Toronto skyline
If you plan to live and work in Canada, you'll need a work permit © Russell Monk / Getty Images

Visas for working and studying in Canada

A different class of visa is required for all nationalities if you plan on studying or working in Canada. Most workers need a work permit, and applying for one can involve input from the company you will be working for. The government of Canada has a website.

The International Experience Canada program is open to young people between the ages of 18 to 30 and allows them to work in Canada for a year or two.

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Do Americans need a passport to visit Canada? 

A passport is required to enter Canada. There are other options for US citizens entering Canada. Enhanced driver's licenses, permanent resident cards, free and secure trade cards, and NEXUS cards are approved identity documents. Americans can enter Canada without an electronic travel authorization.

The Canada Border Services Agency has a list of approved identification documents. It is possible that your car may be searched when entering Canada via a land border crossing.

Check the websites of the US State Department and Citizenship & Immigration Canada for updates on land border- crossing rules.

The article was first published about a year ago.