Which Countries Can Canadian PR Travel Without Visa?
Becoming a Canadian Permanent Resident will open up a world of opportunities in terms of travel. Successfully attaining PR status in Canada means that you no longer have to complete laborious visa application processes to visit certain countries. Fortunately, many of these places are 5-star travel destinations and popular tourist locations, so you’re practically guaranteed a quality trip.
We’ve picked out our favourite visa-free nations to explore and included them in this guide, so now all you’d need to is figure out the logistics. Determine a place to stay when you get there, pick up your PR card and passport, and enjoy your adventure.
TOP 10 COUNTRIES TO TRAVEL TO AS A CANADIAN PR WITH NO VISA
#1 Mexico
Travelling to Mexico as a Canadian PR is extremely simple and convenient. Arrival into the country is available to all nationalities assuming you have a valid PR card for the entire duration of your stay, along with an up to date passport. The only real restriction that Mexico imposes is a 6 month (180 day) stay limit.
#2 Costa Rica
Similar to Mexico, this country features very reasonable requirements for Canadian PR status holders. All nationalities are eligible for entry with a PR card and passport. The conditions for visiting Costa Rica are as follows: you can only stay for a maximum of 30 days at a time, and your PR card must be valid for over 6 months.
#3 Panama
Panama opens its borders to Canadian PRs of any nationality for up to 3 months (90 days) at a time. Their conditions are slightly more cumbersome than the first two listings, but nothing out of the ordinary. To travel to Panama, your passport must not expire for at least 90 days upon the date of arrival, and any applicable visas (if you have one) must be valid for 180 days. You are also required to provide proof of financial solvency for at least $500 in US dollars.
#4 Antigua
Much like the countries above, Antigua offers the same all-nationality inclusive policies for Canadian permanent resident cards. The country allows Canadian PR to stay for a full month (30 days) without the need for a Canadian visa. However, it is mandatory to obtain a VOA (Visa on Arrival) once your flight reaches the airport. A VOA in Antigua will cost you $100 in US dollars and is not compatible for multi-entry.
#5 Bahamas
If you happen to own an Indian passport you can travel to the Bahamas for 30 days as a visa-exempt Canadian PR. However, your Canadian permanent residency card must be valid for a minimum of 90 days if leaving from Canada, and 180 days if leaving from a different country.
#6 Cuba
A highly popular destination for Canadian vacationers, Canadian PR status holders may enter the country for up to 30 days with just a valid PR card. However, you must register for a Cuban Tourist Card which you can acquire from most airline companies prior to boarding, Cuban travel agencies, or Cuban embassies. There is also a minor fee that tourists pay in Cuba.
#7 Dominican Republic
Similar to Cuba, the Dominican Republic allows Canadian permanent residents to stay for 30 days without a visa upon entry. There is however a mandatory $10 US dollar fee per traveler for a Dominican Republic Tourist Card, which is generally included in the cost of airfare. Like most other countries on this list, your passport must not expire for at least 180 days after arrival.
#8 Turks and Caicos
Being a British-claimed territory, this spot is very accessible to Canadians. The islands of Turks and Caicos allow Canadian PRs of all nationalities to visit visa-free for 90 days.
#9 Peru
Peru offers a very long stay (up to 6 months) for Canadian PRs without a visa, as long as they own either a Chinese or Indian passport, plus a valid Canadian permanent residency card.
#10 Qatar
Visiting Qatar is accessible to individuals of any nationality as long as they have a valid Canadian permanent resident card, although it’s not exactly “visa-exempt” in the traditional sense. You’re able to legally stay in Qatar without a Canadian visa for 30 days, but you must apply for a free VOA in Qatar upon arrival. It costs nothing to acquire, but it’s only usable for single-entry.
Three Important Things to Consider Before You Leave
Even though these countries are extending their generosity by providing visa-free travel for Canadian PR status holders, you need to ensure that you’ve covered a few essential pre-travel basics first:
1. As a permanent resident, you need to check to make sure your passport does not expire for a minimum of 180 days before you set out. The last thing you need is being turned away at the airport all because you didn’t renew your passport.
2. Free of visa does not mean free of charge. Some of the countries on this list will include small administration fees once you arrive. There are many different policies surrounding these fees, and because they vary from country to country (likelihood of being waived, fluctuations in cost, etc) it’s best to check with your destination’s embassy beforehand.
3. Last but not least, always confirm your travel requirements if you have any doubts before the flight. This way you can enjoy your stay worry-free!
WHAT IF I AM TRAVELLING AS A US CITIZEN?
Travelling visa-free good enough for the average explorer, but if you’ve seriously caught the travel bug you should consider applying for a Canadian travel visa. At the end of the day, getting a Canadian travel visa comes with numerous benefits and is relatively easy to acquire. Canada is a beautiful country that is definitely worth travelling to if you haven’t yet gone north of the border. If you’re interested in travelling to the Canada, visit Courtenay, one of the best cities to travel and Courtenay also offers best currency exchange rates for tourists and travelers.
Why should I get a Canadian tourist visa?
Quite simply, it’s very easy to get one if you are an American citizen. Unlike the application process for a US visa, Canadian tourist visas do not require an interview to receive. They typically last up to 10 years if your passport does not expire first, and the fee is comparatively minor at only $100 Canadian. In terms of what other visa’ are eligible in Canada, you could put in an application for a V-1 (visitor visa), W-1 (work visa), S-1 (student visa), or a VH-1 (transit visa).
Do permanent residents in Canada need a visa to enter the US?
Yes. If your Canadian documentation only extends as far as permanent residency status and not citizenship, you’ll need to acquire a non-immigrant visa from US officials before you can cross the border. As a side note, it’s usually a good idea to apply for this form well in advance before your departure date to ensure that the results arrive when you need it.
Final Thoughts: Proof of Canadian Permanent Residency
Don’t forget that you will need to show proof of Canadian PR status twice – once before you travel south into the states, and again to Canadian officials when returning home. Canadian citizens however are allowed to periodically visit the US visa-free as long as they can provide a valid passport along with any supplementary documents.
Before any departure it’s a good idea to stay informed on general travelling terms and conditions. Check out our article on how long you can stay outside of Canada without losing benefits