Canada Visa Requirements
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to apply for anything before I travel to Canada?
No — with a New Zealand passport, you don't need to apply for a visa or authorisation before flying to Canada. Just make sure your passport itself is valid and, if you have one, bring proof of your onward or return travel in case you're asked.
Can I extend my stay in Canada once I'm there?
Yes. You can apply from inside Canada to stay longer, and you must do it before your current permission runs out. The official fee is CAD $100. Usually up to a further 6 months from the decision date. You may not work or study on a Visitor Record. CAD $100 per person, plus CAD $85 for biometrics if you have not given them in the last 10 years. Non-refundable. Apply online for a Visitor Record (form IMM 5708) at least 30 days before your current status expires. A Visitor Record is not a visa and will not get you back into Canada if you leave. IRCC processing has stretched to roughly 10 months — longer than the stay being extended. Filing before your status expires grants maintained status, letting you remain lawfully throughout. If your status has already lapsed you have 90 days to apply for restoration, at CAD $246.25 on top of the fee.
Is the information on this page guaranteed to be accurate?
We check what we publish against official sources where we can, and clearly flag anything still pending verification. Even so, visa rules change — sometimes with very little notice — so please treat this page as a strong starting point, not a final word, and confirm directly with the official source linked above before you book or fly.
Before you travel — checklist
- Check your passport has enough remaining validity for your trip to Canada — many countries require at least 6 months beyond your travel dates, even for visa-free entry.
- Note this specific requirement for Canada: eTA required if arriving by air. Also, an eTA not required when arriving by car, bus, train or boat (including a cruise ship)..
- Check whether Canada requires proof of onward or return travel — some border officers ask for this even when it isn't formally listed as a requirement.
- Consider travel insurance that covers your trip to Canada, particularly if any medical or emergency evacuation coverage is required or advisable for the region.
- This page's details for Canada are still pending full verification — confirm everything directly with an official government source before finalising your plans.
Visa rules change — sometimes with very little notice. This page reflects our best information as of 2026, but if you're reading this later than that, treat it as a starting point rather than the final word, and always confirm with the official source above before you travel.