Canada is one of the largest countries in the world spanning over 10 provinces and 3 territories and owns amazing wonders. Have you ever enjoyed a romantic autumn in a maple leaf forest? No matter whether you love seeing beautiful landscapes or adventure activities, Canada will never make you upset. It is truly an amazing destination to experience.
Catching up with the trend, the Canada Government tries to innovate international tourism via technology. In 2012, Canada launched a new visa program, called Canada eTA. eTA visa is a type of travel visa for eligible countries to visit Canada. This is a breakthrough in spreading local culture to international friends of the Canada Government. In this article, we will introduce to you, citizens of Belgium, about the Canada eTA / Evisa for Belgian citizens and how to apply for Canada visa waiver for Belgian citizens.
Canada eTA for citizens from Belgium
1. Check Canada eTA requirements for Belgian citizens
What is a Canada eTA visa?
Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) or Canada visitor visa is a digital permit allowing citizens coming from eligible countries to enter Canada to travel. Released in 2012 and taking 04 next years to develop, a new version in 2016 helps the Canada Government screen travelers coming from other counties as an answer to the global increase in terrorist activities.
How do you know whether your nationality is eligible for a Canada eTA visa? Canada eTA is applied to countries that are included in the exempt list for Canada visas only. Besides, if you have proof of permanent residence or legal citizenship from the US, you can also apply for a Canada ETA online
What are the eligibility requirements for a Canada eTA visa?
The other eligibility requirements for a Canada eTA visa include:
- When issued, your eTA visa will be linked electronically to your passport to confirm your eligibility. If you get a new passport, you have to change to a new visa.
- From the day of approval, an eTA visa Canada will be valid until the next 05 years.
- Within 05 valid years, the passport holders can use a visitor visa as a multiple entry visa. That means you can enter Canada many times without applying for a re-enter visa.
- Per visit trip, you are allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months and for travel, business, transit, leisure activities, or medical treatment purposes.
- Remember that an eTA visa is applied to air-highways only.
- The applicant must be over the age of 18 to apply. If not, the parents or lawful guardian has the right to apply instead.
If your case is not covered by the eTA application conditions, you can choose regular Canada visas. Please contact the Canadian Embassy or Consulate for more information.
Do Belgian citizens need a visa to Canada?
Most Belgians do not require a Canadian visa and may instead obtain the more easy eTA online.
You must have an electronic Belgian passport to obtain the eTA.
If your Romanian passport is not electronic, you will need to obtain a visa to travel to Canada. Visit the Canadian Embassy in Belgium for additional information on guest visas.
Can Belgian citizens work in Canada?
Belgians can work in Canada with the correct documentation. If you have been offered a job in Canada, you must apply for a work permit.
If this is your first time applying for a Canadian work permit, you must also get an eTA in order to go to Canada.
When visiting Canada, you'll require the following:
Requirements for a valid electronic Belgian passport include a Canada eTA and a letter of introduction.
Apply for Canada eTA as a citizen of Belgium
2. How to apply for a Canada visa waiver from Belgium?
What are the required documents for the Canada visa application from Belgium?
Good preparation will bring an advantageous process, so we strongly recommend the applicants take note carefully the required documents for the Canada visa application below:
- The national passport is valid for at least 06 months from the date of entry with more than 2 blank pages for visa marks.
- The biographical information page of your passport must be scanned or pictured to submit.
- The coloured photograph of applicants.
- The current email address is to exchange information and receive a visa.
- Debit or credit card to make a transaction.
Step-by-step instructions for application processing for a Canada eTA?
Please do step-by-step instructions on the Canada eTA application from Belgium we outline below. To avoid interruptions, it is advisable to find a place having a good Internet connection. Click on the “Apply Visa” button and do 04 simple steps:
- Step 1: Fill in your personal details in the application form. Your information consists of personal contact, passport information, and travel details.
- Step 2: Make a payment. Then we request you provide additional information to complete your application.
- Step 3: We send you a confirmation email. Also, announce to you the processing time of your eTA visa application. When finished, a visa will be sent to you right away via the email you provide.
- The applicant usually takes interest in how long a visitor visa is processed. The processing time depends on the type of services you choose. We have Normal, Urgent, and Super urgent options.
- Step 4: Print your eTA and bring it with you to the international airport. With a valid eTA, you will receive a confirmed stamp inside your passport. In cases, the airline staff requests you show your passport to demonstrate your eligibility, so bring the passport with you.
Cost of Canada eTA for citizens from Belgium
3. Canada eTA fees for Belgian citizens
Compared to regular visas, Canada eTA has the same purposes but the expense is quite reasonable. Regarding the fees, the applicant has to pay 02 types of Canada ETA fees: the Canada Government fee and the visa service fee.
Both fees are required to be paid in advance processing. The visa service fee is flexible, subject to your choice. Take consideration 03 available options below which offered by Canada Immigration Services:
- Normal: Your eTA visa is processed within 03 business days.
- Urgent: Your eTA is processed within 24 business hours.
- Super urgent: Your eTA is processed within 05 business hours.
Anyway, we advise you to apply for a visa as soon as possible, 7 days before boarding a flight. It is noted that any variations after making a payment are charged as a new application. In some cases, the visa processing will be longer than we expected, we hope you are patient, and we try to solve your problems.
Regarding transaction cards, you can transfer or use digital payment. We approve methods that include Paypal, Visa, Master Card, and American Express. If you use a wire transfer method, please use the Bank of Cyprus only for making payment.
To aim for a safe journey, we encourage the customer to buy Travel Insurance. When you travel, especially overseas, risks can happen surprisingly such as pandemics, sickness, accidents, loss of baggage, or trip delays. We believe that Travel Insurance will help you to reduce arising costs during the trip. Read more benefits and treatments at Canada travel insurance
We hope you have a successful application and enjoy your journey in Canada. If you have any questions about Canada eTA for Belgian citizens, we will be happy to support you.
Canada Visa Requirements for Belgium Citizens FAQs
Do Belgian citizens need a visa to Canada?
Yes. Belgian citizens don’t need a visa to enter Canada. Belgian residents could easily travel to Canada without a visa until March 15th, 2016, however, most nations now require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) prior to arrival. Fortunately, the Canada ETA for Belgian citizens allows multiple entries to Canada, is valid for 5 years after issue or until the passport expires and can be purchased online.
Belgian nationals often obtain their eTA within minutes after completing their form successfully, however, it might take up to three business days if extra papers are necessary. Alternatively, we can examine and complete your application in as few as three days. Why not simplify one component of your holiday?
You may apply for a Canada visa by going to the Canadian Immigration Services website, filling out the online form and giving your credit card information; however, you should apply in advance because it can take up to three days to complete. If you'd prefer to reduce the possibility of errors by filling out a simplified application form that is verified and processed within two days, you may apply for a Canada visa through our website. Remember, you may not be allowed to board your flight if you can’t prove you have an approved eTA.
How to travel to Canada from Belgium
Canada is the second-largest country in the world with a vast array of natural wonders, so any attempt to make a list of places in a country known for its sheer beauty will always be a tough ask.
If you are planning a trip to Canada from Belgium, here are some things you need to know before traveling to this country:
- Applying for a Canada ETA online: Belgian citizens must get a Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before traveling. This eTA grants multiple entries, with a maximum stay of 180 days per entry. It is valid for five years after issue, or until the passport expires.
- Booking a flight to Canada from Belgium: The distance from Belgium to Canada is approximately 5583 kilometers. For travelers seeking flights from Belgium to Canada, layovers at one airport are common. Among these, Brussels Airport (Zaventem, Belgium) and Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (Quebec, Canada) are the most popular points for layovers. Flights to Canada from Belgium are offered by several airlines, including Air Canada, Air Transat, United Airlines, KLM, Brussels Airlines and Delta.
- Get travel insurance: If you travel to Canada, you will be ineligible for any health insurance supplied to residents. As a result, travelers must obtain Canada travel insurance to prevent incurring large medical expenditures in the event of a health emergency. Furthermore, travel insurance will cover your trip expenditures and issue a refund if you are unable to go due to medical reasons. In addition, travel insurance will pay you for lost luggage and any additional fees incurred as a result of airline delays or cancellations.
- Getting an ESIM card for Canada: You should buy an ESIM before traveling to Canada. If you get a Canada eSIM, you will have quick and easy access to local services online. Because they function on the local network, they give the same unparalleled coverage throughout Canada.
- Booking your accommodation: There are several options when it comes to finding a place to stay during your travel depending on your needs and budget. You might choose to stay in hotels, motels, flats, bed & breakfasts, boutiques and lodges.
Do I need an ETA to enter Canada by land?
No, you do not need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada by land.
The Canada eTA is only required for travelers who are flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport. If you're entering Canada by car, bus, train, or boat (including a cruise ship), you do not need an eTA. Visa-exempt nationals with an approved eTA can cross the border into Canada without a visa and remain in the country for up to 6 months.
Before boarding a flight to Canada, the passport will be scanned to ensure that the holder has a valid eTA. Anyone who does not have the necessary permit will not be permitted to travel.
Is 2 days enough for Calgary?
With a little forethought, two days in Calgary—the gateway to the Canadian Rockies—will allow you to see the city, attend a hockey game and take a day excursion to the region's famed mountains. Here's how you do it.
Day 1:
Morning
If you want to know what life was like in Calgary and Western Canada in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, visit Heritage Park Historical Village. The pre-1915 structures and period-appropriate staff bring tourists back to the Canadian Wild West. See reenactments of farming, trading and everyday life from the past, then ride on a steam train or horse-drawn carriage.
Afternoon
Spend the afternoon at the Calgary Zoo, a popular year-round destination with over 1,000 species housed in habitats like Canadian Wilds, Destination Africa and Prehistoric Park.
Night
Sports fans should seize the opportunity to observe Canada's main winter sport, ice hockey. The Calgary Flames are the local team and it's enjoyable to hang out with other fans. If it is not hockey season or you are not a sports fan, climb up to the Sky 360 restaurant in the Calgary Tower for supper with a view.
Day 2:
Morning and afternoon
Don't pass up the chance to explore the Rocky Mountains. Get an early start in Banff, about an hour and a half from Calgary by vehicle and select from a variety of activities to suit different fitness and energy levels. Ride the gondola, relax in the hot springs, or shop and eat. If you want to be more active, various hiking paths provide breathtaking views of the Rockies and neighboring woodlands.
Night
If you get back to Calgary early enough, take a walk along the Bow River or through Eau Claire Park, a nice riverfront green space. Then go downtown for supper.
What is the port of entry in Canada?
When you arrive in Canada, you will arrive at a port of entry. A port of entry (POE) is a point of entry into Canada chosen by the Canadian government. Usually, the port of entry you pass through is the first airport or land port of entry for your stay in Canada.
For example, if your last stop is Winnipeg, but you arrive in Vancouver first, your port of entry is Vancouver International Airport. At the port of entry, everyone is “screened.” This means you will be asked to show identification and may be asked to answer questions and provide personal information to determine if you are allowed to enter Canada.
Checks are usually conducted by Border Service Officers (BSOs) who are employees of the Government of Canada's Canada Border Services Agency. Most likely, your passport will also be stamped. If your passport is not stamped, you can ask the BSO to stamp your passport before you leave the POE.
To prevent overstaying, you should apply for an extension of your Canadian status before your current status expires. You can also request a change of status under certain circumstances, such as changing from student to visitor status. Even if your official status has expired, your status will remain while your extension application is being processed. This is either “implied status” or “maintained status”, again depending on certain requirements. If your renewal application is ultimately denied, you will be considered to have lost your status in Canada as of the date of the denial letter.
How many ports of entry in Canada?
There are 18 ports of entry in Canada open to foreign nationals traveling to Canada. Those arriving from the US can either cross the land border or enter by sea at one of Canada's many seaports. For travelers from other countries, air travel is typically the most convenient option. Eligible foreign nationals can obtain a Canada eTA online, a simpler process than a traditional visa.
A Port of entrance (POE) is the initial point at which you enter Canada; it can be an airport, a land crossing, or, in certain situations, a boat entrance port.
Upon entering Canada, you will be required to undergo an examination with a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer. The officer may allow you entrance into Canada if you are: 1) eligible to come to Canada; 2) have completed the necessary applications (where applicable); and 3) are not inadmissible in Canada.
You may enter Canada via plane, automobile, or boat. The CBSA website provides a list of ports of entry.
By Air:
All of Canada's international airports are considered ports of entry. Nova Scotia has two international airports: the JA Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport on Cape Breton and the Halifax Stanfield International Airport on the peninsula. When you arrive, you'll need to fill out a Declaration Card or utilize a Primary Inspection Kiosk.
By Car:
Canada's only land border is with the United States. If you're traveling from the United States, you can enter Canada by car. A border service officer will check your identity and travel papers.
By Water:
You can also enter Canada via private boat. If you enter Canada by boat, you will still need to present yourself for CBSA approval. Marine Atlantic boats connect Newfoundland and Labrador with Cape Breton. Ferries travel from Port-aux-Basques and Argentia to North Sydney.