UK Visa for Canadian Citizens

What is a UK Visa for Canadian Citizens?

A UK visa for Canadian citizens is a type of official travel document that allows Canadian citizens to enter the United Kingdom for specific purposes, such as work, study, or long-term stays. Each type of visa is designed for a specific travel purpose and has a different length of validity and authorized duration of stay. For long-term stays or activities beyond tourism and short visits, Canadians will need to apply for the relevant visa.

While short-term visits previously required no visa, new regulations mandate that from January 8^th, 2025, Canadian citizens need a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) to travel to England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland for short stays. Applications for the UK ETA for Canadian citizens opened on November 27^th, 2024, for visits on or after January 8^th.

What is the UK ETA for Canadian Citizens?

The UK ETA (electronic travel authorization) is a new entry requirement for Canadian citizens traveling to the UK for short visits. It is a digital permit that pre-approves visitors before they travel to the UK. The ETA permits Canadian citizens to enter the UK for short-term visits, for purposes such as:

Tourism: For tourists interested in experiences like sightseeing, taking vacations, or visiting family and friends.
Business: Including attending meetings, conferences, or conducting other authorized business-related activities.
Short-term study: Including attending courses or training that lasts up to six months.
Medical: Specifically short-term medical treatments.
Transit: for transiting through the UK even if you will not go through border control.

The UK ETA is valid for two years or until the holder’s passport expires, whichever comes first. It allows multiple entries to the UK, with each stay lasting up to six months.

Canadian citizens traveling to the UK on or after January 8^th, 2025, must ensure they apply for an ETA before they travel to the UK. Applications can be completed online. Applicants must provide a valid passport, personal details, and a personal recent photo. The process typically takes up to 72 hours, though it is recommended to apply well in advance of travel.

The UK ETA simplifies entry procedures, eliminating the need for a full visa for eligible travelers, and streamlining border control processes. The ETA is also expected to reduce wait times at the UK border, as travelers will have been pre-authorized.

UK Visa Types for Canadian Citizens

There are several different types of UK visas available to Canadian citizens. It is important to choose the correct visa depending on your reason for traveling to the UK and how long you intend to stay. The most common types of UK visa for Canadians are listed below:

Work Visa

UK Work Visa for Canadians is available to applicants who want to work in the UK. The most popular Work visa types are:

Health and Care Worker visa: For medical professionals (typically doctors, nurses, health professionals, and adult social care professionals) coming to the UK to work an eligible job with the NHS or an NHS supplier.
Skilled Worker Visa: For Canadians working an eligible job for a UK employer that has been approved by the Home Office. To qualify for this visa, you must receive a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from the employer.
Global Talent Visa: For leaders or potential leaders in the fields of academia or research, arts and culture, and digital technology. Applicants will need to apply for an endorsement to qualify.
Senior or Specialist Worker Visa: For workers doing an eligible job at a UK branch of their current employer at an organization approved by the Home Office.

Student Visa

There are several types of student visas available, including:

Student Visa: For individuals aged 16 and over who have been offered a place on an approved course.
Child Student Visa: For individuals aged 4-17 who have an unconditional offer to study at an independent school in the UK.
Short-Term Study Visa: For English Language courses lasting between 6-11 months.

Family Visa

For Canadians joining close family members, such as a spouse or partner, child, parent, or relative who are UK citizens or residents. This visa typically requires proof of relationship, such as marriage or birth certificates.

Valid passport

Applicants will require a Canadian passport with at least six months of validity from the intended date of arrival in the UK. The passport must also have at least one blank page.

Photograph

A recent photograph that reflects the applicant’s true appearance and meets the UK visa photo specifications is required.

Visa application form

Applicants will need to complete and sign the relevant UK visa online application form. Keep in mind that each type of visa has a different application form, and it is essential to complete the correct form.

Proof of financial means

Depending on the visa type, applicants may be required to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover their entire stay in the UK (e.g. bank statements).

Travel itinerary

Some applicants may be required to provide their travel itinerary, such as their flight and accommodation information and information about their planned activities.

UK Visa Application Process for Canadian Citizens

When applying for a UK visa, it is essential to follow the application process, as listed below:

Choose the relevant visa
dentify the appropriate visa category based on your purpose of visit, such as work, study, family reunion, or tourism, and confirm the requirements for that specific visa.
Complete the application form
Once you have identified the relevant visa, you will need to complete the relevant application form. You can apply for a UK visa from Canada online.
Pay the visa fee
Applicants are required to pay the visa application fee online. Fees vary depending on the visa type and duration of stay. It is important to save the receipt for your proof of payment.
Book a biometric appointment
Applicants completing their UK visa application from Canada will need to schedule an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide biometric information (fingerprints) and have a photograph taken. Alternatively, you can visit a Premium Application Center (PAC).
Submit biometrics
Applicants will need to attend their biometric appointment at the scheduled time and date. You will need to take a printout of the appointment confirmation letter, your passport, a printed copy of the visa application, and any supporting documents required. Once your biometrics have been submitted, your appointment confirmation letter will be stamped.
Finalize your application submission
Depending on the visa type, you may need to submit documents in person at the VAC or upload them to the application portal. You will need to follow the instructions provided by the VAC.
Attend an interview (if required)
Some applicants may be asked to attend an interview, for example, if more information is required. Be prepared to explain your plans and provide further evidence of your purpose in the UK.
Receive your visa
Once approved, your passport will be returned with the visa stamp or vignette. For long-term visas, you may receive a biometric residence permit upon arrival in the UK.

UK Visa Processing Time for Canadian Citizens

The UK visa from Canada processing time can vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for, the current volume of applications, and the complexity of your application.

Different visas have different estimated processing durations, for example:

Student Visas: 3 weeks
Family Visas: 12 weeks
Work Visas: 3 weeks

UK Visa Fees for Canadian Citizens

UK visa fees from Canada can vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for, with different types of visas having different fee structures. Below are the current application fees for the most popular types of UK visas:

UK Visa for Canadian Residents

Whether a visa is needed or not depends on the individual’s nationality rather than their country of residence. Canadian residents who are not Canadian citizens must check the UK visa requirements for their country of citizenship.

Being a Canadian resident does not automatically exempt someone from UK visa requirements, nor does it mean they are eligible for an ETA for the UK. Consult the United Kingdom visa and immigration page for more information.

Visitor Statistics from Canada to the United Kingdom

Canadian travelers make up an important part of the UK tourism industry. In 2023, travelers from Canada made 1 million visits to the UK – the highest ever recorded number. On average, each visitor spent £966 per visit equating to a total spending of £969.6 million. 60% of Canadian travelers to the UK have visited the UK before and made a repeat visit in 2023. The most visited city in the UK is London and the majority of UK visa holders from Canada first travel to London.