🇨🇦 Canada visa requirements for British citizens
British citizens need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for Canada — a quick online approval, not a full visa.
Entry rules for United Kingdom passport holders
Canada requires British visitors to register online for an electronic travel authorization before departure. An eTA is lighter than a visa — approval is usually issued within minutes to hours — but airlines will deny boarding without it, so complete it before heading to the airport.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the official Canada immigration authority or your nearest embassy before booking.
How this compares
The British passport ranks #20 worldwide, opening 162 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (118 visa-free, 36 with a visa on arrival and 8 with an eTA). Canada is one of them.
The arrangement is reciprocal: Canadian citizens traveling to United Kingdom face the same requirement (eta required).
North America is fully open to British travelers — all 3 destinations in the region can be entered without arranging a visa first.
About Canada
- Capital
- Ottawa
- Region
- North America
- Currency
- Canadian dollar ($)
- Languages
- English, French
Planning a trip to Canada?
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Frequently asked questions
Do British citizens need a visa for Canada?
British citizens need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for Canada — a quick online approval, not a full visa.
Can British citizens apply online for entry to Canada?
Yes. Canada offers an online electronic travel authorization (eTA) for United Kingdom passport holders. Apply through the official government portal before your trip.
What currency is used in Canada?
The currency in Canada is the Canadian dollar ($). The capital city is Ottawa.
Is this information up to date?
Current status: eTA required for British citizens traveling to Canada. This page is built from the open Passport Index dataset, which was last updated on 2025-01-12. Visa rules can change between dataset updates, so always confirm with the Canada embassy or immigration authority before booking.
More of Americas for British passport holders
Going the other way? United Kingdom visa requirements for Canadian citizens →
Source data last updated 2025-01-12.