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Canada Visa for Germany Citizens 2026

e-Visa / eTA

German citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for Canada — apply online at canada.ca; fee CAD 7, processing usually within minutes to a few days.

Guide last updated October 12, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for the duration of stay (6 months validity beyond travel dates recommended)
  • No paper form - the eTA application is fully online via the official Canada.ca portal
  • Valid credit or debit card for the CAD 7 fee
  • Valid email address to receive the eTA approval
  • Proof of onward or return travel may be requested at the border
  • Sufficient funds for the stay (no fixed amount specified, but officers may ask)
  • No photo required for the eTA application itself
  • Biometrics: not required for eTA holders (biometrics apply to visa applicants, not eTA holders)
  • Travel health insurance: not mandatory but strongly recommended

Visa types

  • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) - for air travel only, tourism, business or transit, multiple entry, valid 5 years or until passport expiry, max stay 6 months per visit, fee CAD 7
  • Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) - only needed for entry by land or sea, or for stays beyond the eTA's scope; single or multiple entry, fee CAD 100
  • Study and work permits - applied for separately, in addition to the eTA, before travel

How to apply online

  • Apply at canada.ca/eta, the official IRCC portal
  • Steps: 1) Enter passport details and personal information 2) Answer eligibility questions 3) Pay the CAD 7 fee by credit or debit card 4) Receive eTA approval by email, usually within minutes; some applications take up to 72 hours if extra documents are requested
  • The eTA is linked electronically to the passport - there is no physical stamp or label
  • Travel must be on the same passport used in the application
  • Required only for air travel to Canada; not required for land or sea entry from the US

Fees & processing time

  • eTA fee: CAD 7 (approx. USD 5)
  • No separate service fee when applying directly through canada.ca
  • Total cost: CAD 7
  • Standard processing: instant to a few minutes for most applicants; up to 72 hours if extra documents are requested
  • No express option - processing is already near-instant for most applicants

Tips for Germany travelers

  • Apply as soon as a flight is booked - do not wait until the airport, since some applications take days
  • Common issue: entering the passport number incorrectly or using an expired passport - double check all digits
  • Apply only via the official canada.ca site; third-party sites charge inflated fees for the same process
  • No current bilateral travel advisories affecting German tourists
  • Extensions: visitor status can be extended from within Canada via an IRCC visitor record application filed before the authorized stay expires

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.