© 2026 Evisa Rocket. All rights reserved.
© 2026 Evisa Rocket. All rights reserved.
Yes — when arriving by air. Taiwan sits on Canada's visa-exempt list, and it was in fact one of the earliest countries added to the eTA programme. As a result, Taiwanese citizens do not need a visitor visa for stays of up to 6 months. What they do need is an approved Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before they can board a flight to Canada or transit through a Canadian airport. Your airline checks the eTA electronically when you check in, and you can be refused boarding without it.
The one exception relates to how you arrive: travellers entering Canada only by land or sea — say by car, bus or cruise from the United States — are not required to hold an eTA. Since most Taiwanese visitors fly in, the eTA is effectively mandatory. You can explore the destination on our Canada travel hub or head directly to the Canada eTA page.
Because Taiwan is visa-exempt, the great majority of short tourism, business and transit trips are handled with an eTA rather than a full visa. The table below helps confirm which document fits your journey:
| Your situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| Tourism, visiting family or friends, business meetings, transit — by air, up to 6 months | eTA (passport must show personal ID number) |
| Ordinary passport without a personal ID number on the data page | Visitor visa (TRV) |
| Entering Canada only by land or sea | No eTA (valid passport only) |
| Working, studying for more than 6 months, or immigrating | Work / study permit or visa |
| Staying longer than 6 months as a visitor | Visitor visa (TRV) |
Taiwan is a visa-exempt country, so Taiwanese citizens apply for the eTA directly. There is no requirement to already hold a US visa or a previous Canadian visa to qualify — you simply apply on the strength of your Taiwanese passport.
There is, however, a critical condition specific to Taiwan that you must check carefully. To be eligible for the eTA, you must travel on an ordinary passport issued by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs that shows your personal identification (national ID) number on the data page. A Taiwanese passport that does not display this personal ID number is not eTA-eligible; in that case the holder must apply for a visitor visa instead. Beyond that, you must intend to stay for less than 6 months and have no circumstances that make you inadmissible, such as certain criminal or immigration history. If you plan to work, study long term or settle in Canada, you will need the appropriate permit or visa rather than an eTA.
A real strength of the Canada eTA is how few documents it needs. Before you begin, make sure you have:
No photograph, biometrics or supporting paperwork is required for the eTA itself — but do confirm your personal ID number is visible before you apply.
From start to finish, the process usually takes only a few minutes.
The majority of Taiwanese applicants are approved within minutes, with confirmation arriving by email as a PDF. Sometimes additional checks push the wait out to 72 hours, so it is wise to apply at least 3 days before your flight rather than at the airport. If the system asks for more information, reply quickly to keep things moving.
After approval, the eTA remains valid for 5 years, or until your passport expires if that happens sooner. It is a multiple-entry authorization, so Taiwanese travellers can make as many trips to Canada as they like during that window without re-applying. Each separate stay can last up to 6 months, with the precise length decided by the border officer when you arrive. If you renew or replace your passport, you must obtain a new eTA tied to the new document.
An eTA is required even when you are merely transiting through a Canadian airport en route to another destination — for instance changing planes in Toronto or Vancouver. Thanks to Taiwan's visa-exempt status, a standard eTA covers transit, and there is no separate transit visa to obtain. Just make sure your eTA is approved before you fly, because it is verified at your departure airport.
An approved eTA lets you board your flight, but the final decision to admit you into Canada rests with a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer on arrival. Carry the valid passport linked to your eTA and be prepared to explain the purpose and length of your visit, where you will be staying, and that you have the funds to support your trip. Nothing needs to be printed — the eTA is held electronically against your passport.
Each traveller needs their own eTA, including children and infants, because every authorization is tied to an individual passport. A parent or guardian can complete the application on a child's behalf. When travelling as a family, simply submit a separate application for each Taiwanese passport holder — and remember to confirm that each passport shows its personal ID number.
Taiwan is visa-exempt, so Taiwanese citizens do not need a visitor visa for stays of up to 6 months. They do need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport — provided their passport shows their personal ID number. A full visitor visa is needed only for stays over 6 months, for purposes the eTA does not cover, or if the passport lacks a personal ID number.
No. To be eTA-eligible, your ordinary passport issued by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs must display your personal identification (national ID) number on the data page. If your passport does not show it, you are not eligible for the eTA and must apply for a visitor visa instead.
A small government fee applies to the eTA. If you apply through an assisted service, a service fee may be added on top for help completing the form, error checks and support.
An approved eTA is valid for 5 years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. It allows multiple entries, with each stay of up to 6 months.
Most applications are approved within minutes and the result is emailed to you as a PDF. Occasionally checks can take up to 72 hours, so it is best to apply at least 3 days before departure.
No. The eTA is only required when flying to, or transiting through, a Canadian airport. If you enter Canada by land or sea you do not need an eTA, but you must still carry a valid passport.
Yes. Every traveller needs an individual eTA linked to their own passport, including children and infants, and each passport must show its personal ID number. A parent or guardian can apply on a child's behalf.
No. An eTA authorises you to board a flight to Canada, but the final decision is made by a border services officer on arrival. Be ready to show that you meet the conditions of your visit (valid passport, purpose of trip, and means of support).