Canada Visa RequirementsFor Poland passport holders
Polish citizens need a Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for air travel to Canada. The eTA costs CAD 7, is applied for online in minutes, and is valid for 5 years or until passport expiry.
Poland passport holders must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) online before traveling to Canada.
Polish citizens traveling to Canada by air must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before departure. Apply online at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship. The eTA costs CAD 7 and is typically approved within minutes to a few days; it is electronically linked to your passport. Valid for 5 years or until passport expiry, it allows multiple entries for stays up to 6 months each. When entering Canada by land (driving from the US) or by sea, the eTA is not required (but you still need a valid passport). Present the eTA reference number at check-in; the airline will verify it electronically. Working or studying in Canada requires separate permits.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
For Your Visa Application
Canadian eTA Approval
Apply online at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship before departure. Cost: CAD 7 (approximately PLN 20-22). The eTA is electronically linked to your passport. Keep the application reference number.
Canadian eTA Approval
The eTA is electronically linked to your Polish passport. It is not a physical document. The approval email serves as confirmation. Apply at canada.ca.
Required at Entry
Valid Polish Passport
Must be valid for the duration of your stay. The eTA is tied to your specific passport number; a new passport requires a new eTA.
Valid Polish Passport
Must be the same passport used for the eTA application. Must be valid for the duration of your stay in Canada.
Return or Onward Flight Ticket
Proof of departure from Canada within the authorized stay period.
Customs Declaration Card
Completed upon arrival or via the ArriveCAN app; declare goods being imported.
Return or Onward Ticket Recommended
Evidence of departure from Canada; immigration officers may ask.
Proof of Sufficient Funds Recommended
Evidence you can support yourself during your stay and cover your return; CAD 2,500 per month of stay is a general guideline.
Proof of Sufficient Funds Recommended
Bank statements or credit cards showing you can support yourself during your stay. No specific minimum but CAD 100 per day is a guideline.
Accommodation Details Recommended
Address of first accommodation in Canada. May be requested by CBSA officers.
Travel or Health Insurance Recommended
Not mandatory but strongly recommended. Canada does not provide public health coverage to tourists.
Current Travel Situation
Poland to Canada: What You Need to Know
Canada is a popular destination for Polish travelers combining visits to the large Polish diaspora with spectacular nature tourism. Approximately 1 million Canadians claim Polish descent, with communities concentrated in Toronto, Winnipeg, Montreal, and Edmonton. For tourists, Canada offers: the multicultural cities of Toronto (CN Tower, Kensington Market, Niagara Falls nearby) and Montreal (bilingual French-English culture, exceptional food scene); Vancouver's dramatic mountains-meets-ocean setting; Quebec City (the only walled city in North America, deeply French); Banff and Jasper National Parks in the Canadian Rockies (Lake Louise, Icefields Parkway, glaciers); and the wilderness of British Columbia, Yukon, and the Maritime provinces. Canada is also a major destination for Polish workers and students on various temporary programs.
How to Get There
Canada shares the longest undefended border in the world with the USA. Niagara Falls straddles the Ontario-New York border (5 minutes apart). Polish citizens need an ESTA (USD 14, pre-registration) for the US side , note ESTA requirements if crossing. Vancouver to Seattle is 3h by road. Montreal to New York City is 6h by road or train. The Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek (BC) to Fairbanks (Alaska) is one of North America's great road trip routes.
Money & Banking
Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAD). Canada is moderately expensive: a restaurant meal in Toronto costs CAD 20-35 (about PLN 60-105), a coffee CAD 5-7, a domestic beer CAD 7-10. Vancouver and Toronto are the most expensive cities; Winnipeg and smaller cities are more affordable. Cards are universally accepted; Canada is largely cashless. Tipping 15-20% is mandatory social custom in restaurants and taxis (unlike in Poland). Gas prices vary by province. National park passes (Discovery Pass) are highly recommended for multi-park visitors.
Practical Tips
Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) and Montreal Trudeau (YUL) are the main eastern gateways; Vancouver (YVR) serves the Pacific coast. LOT Polish Airlines flies Warsaw to Toronto directly (9h30m) and via codeshare. Air Canada, Air Transat, and Westjet also serve European markets. Within Canada, Air Canada and WestJet domestic flights connect major cities; Via Rail trains are scenic but slow (Montreal to Toronto 5h, Toronto to Vancouver 4 days on The Canadian). Greyhound Canada services are limited; the Rocky Mountaineer train (Vancouver to Banff) is a luxury scenic option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Polish citizens need a visa for Canada?
No. Polish citizens are visa-exempt for Canada. However, an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required before flying to or transiting through Canada. The fee is CAD 7.
How do I apply for a Canadian eTA?
Apply at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html. You will need your Polish passport details, email address, and a credit or debit card. Fee: CAD 7. Approval is usually instant.
Is there a Polish community in Canada?
Yes, a significant one. Over 1 million Canadians claim Polish descent, making Polish-Canadians one of Canada's larger ethnic communities. Major concentrations are in Toronto (Roncesvalles neighborhood, known as "Little Poland"), Winnipeg (historically the largest Polish community in Canada), Edmonton, and Montreal. Polish delicatessens, credit unions, veterans' organizations, and Catholic parishes maintain cultural traditions.
How long can Polish citizens stay in Canada?
Polish citizens can stay in Canada for up to 6 months per visit as visa-exempt travelers. A Canadian border officer may authorize a shorter stay.
What is Banff National Park and how do I visit?
Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies (Alberta province) is one of North America's most spectacular national parks: turquoise glacial lakes (Lake Louise, Moraine Lake , among the world's most photographed), the Icefields Parkway (230km drive alongside glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife), Banff townsite, and Johnston Canyon waterfalls. Access from Calgary Airport (1h30m drive). Parks Canada Discovery Pass (CAD 75/adult, CAD 156/family) covers all national park entry for 1 year.
Do I need an eTA to cross into Canada by land from the US?
No. The eTA is only required for air travel. If entering Canada by land or sea from the United States, no eTA is needed (though you still need your passport).
What is the best time to visit the Canadian Rockies?
June to August is peak season: all facilities open, wildflowers in bloom, and full hiking access. Moraine Lake road opens mid-May (and requires a shuttle reservation in June-August). July-August: warm, crowded, book accommodation months in advance. September: excellent weather, fall colors, fewer crowds, some facilities close. Winter (December-March) brings skiing (Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, Norquay), but some mountain roads close and temperatures reach -20 degrees C or colder.
Does LOT fly direct from Warsaw to Canada?
Yes. LOT Polish Airlines operates seasonal direct flights from Warsaw Chopin (WAW) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ). The nonstop flight takes approximately 10 hours. Outside the seasonal schedule, connections via European or US hubs are available.
What makes Toronto worth visiting?
Toronto is one of the world's most multicultural cities (over 200 languages spoken). Key attractions: the CN Tower (553m, glass floor, EdgeWalk), the Distillery District (Victorian industrial buildings converted to galleries and restaurants), Kensington Market (bohemian neighborhood), the Royal Ontario Museum (world-class natural history), Hockey Hall of Fame (essential for Canadians), and the diverse neighborhoods (Chinatown, Little Italy, Greektown, Little Portugal, and Roncesvalles/Little Poland). Day trips: Niagara Falls (1h30m), Niagara-on-the-Lake wine region.
Is Canada safe and welcoming for Polish tourists?
Yes. Canada is one of the world's safest and most multicultural countries. There is a Polish community of over 1 million people of Polish descent in Canada, particularly in Toronto, Hamilton, and Winnipeg.
What is French Canada and is it very different from English Canada?
Quebec province is predominantly French-speaking (95% of residents speak French as first or main language). Montreal is a bilingual, cosmopolitan metropolis with the best restaurant scene in Canada, world-class festivals (Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs Comedy Festival), and a European atmosphere enhanced by Old Montreal's 17th-18th century stone buildings. Quebec City is the only walled city in North America and feels distinctly French. Outside the cities, rural Quebec (Laurentians, Eastern Townships) is deeply Quebecois with a distinct culture, cuisine (poutine, tourtiere, sugar shacks), and accent.
What currency is used in Canada?
Canada uses the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Cards are accepted everywhere. Contactless payment is standard. ATMs (ABMs in Canadian terminology) are widely available.
Can I visit both eastern and western Canada in one trip?
Yes. A trans-Canada trip covering Toronto, Montreal, Banff/Calgary, Vancouver, and the Rockies is popular. Via Rail connects eastern Canada by train. Domestic flights (Air Canada, WestJet) are efficient for long distances.