St. John's Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
-
Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
- Who
- Visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport; US citizens and US lawful permanent residents are exempt
- When
- Before flying. Not needed when arriving by car, bus, train or boat (including a cruise ship)
- Cost
- CAD 7
The Government of Canada's own eTA page is the official way to apply, for CAD 7.
Checked against the official source 2026-09-26
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Canada maintains different entry streams depending on your passport and the purpose of your visit. Whether you need a visitor visa, an Electronic Travel Authorization, or neither depends on your nationality. The Government of Canada's immigration website provides the definitive, up-to-date tool for checking what applies to your passport.
Citizens of certain countries may enter Canada for short visits without a visa. Eligibility and permitted length of stay depend on your nationality. Canadian immigration authorities determine these at the border.
Even if you qualify for visa-free entry, you may still need an Electronic Travel Authorization if you are arriving by air. US citizens and US lawful permanent residents do not need an eTA. They are not required to obtain a visa for short visits. For all other nationalities, confirm your status through the official immigration website before traveling to St. John's.
The Electronic Travel Authorization, or eTA, is a lightweight entry requirement linked electronically to your passport. It applies to visa-exempt foreign nationals who are flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport. If you are arriving in St. John's by car, bus, train, or boat, including a cruise ship, the eTA does not apply to you. US citizens and US lawful permanent residents are exempt from the eTA requirement regardless of how they arrive.
Cost: CAD 7, paid at the time of application through the official government portal
The eTA is not a visa and does not replace one. If your nationality requires a visitor visa, the eTA process does not apply to you. If you are unsure whether you need an eTA or a visa, the Government of Canada's immigration website has an eligibility tool that can clarify your situation.
Citizens of countries that are not on Canada's visa-exempt list must apply for a visitor visa, formally called a Temporary Resident Visa, before traveling to St. John's.
Start your application well in advance of your intended travel date. Processing can take weeks or, in busy periods, longer. The Government of Canada's immigration website lists current processing times by country.
Arrival Process
Arriving in St. John's follows the standard Canadian immigration process. Whether you land at St. John's International Airport or arrive by ferry, you will clear immigration and customs before entering Newfoundland and Labrador.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Canada Border Services Agency runs customs nationwide. Rules apply identically at St. John's and every other entry point. They govern duty-free allowances, prohibited items, and declaration requirements.
Prohibited Items
- Canadian law bans obscene material. It bans hate propaganda. It bans child exploitation material.
- Certain weapons are prohibited. Automatic firearms are prohibited. Switchblades are prohibited. Brass knuckles are prohibited.
- Some food, plant, and animal products face restrictions. Others face outright bans. The goal is keeping out pests and diseases. Fresh fruits risk seizure. Vegetables risk seizure. Meat products risk seizure.
- Narcotics and controlled substances are prohibited without valid prescription coverage.
- Prison-made goods are banned. Goods violating Canadian intellectual property laws are banned.
Restricted Items
- Firearms need proper licensing and declaration. Long guns may enter temporarily with a Non-Resident Firearms Declaration. Restricted firearms need an Authorization to Transport. Prohibited firearms need an Authorization to Transport.
- Keep prescription medication in original labeled containers. Carry your prescription copy. Quantities should match personal use for your stay.
- Cannabis is legal in Canada. Crossing the border with it is not. This applies both ways. This applies even where cannabis is legal elsewhere.
- Some food, live plants, and animal products need import permits. Some need phytosanitary certificates.
Health Requirements
Canada does not impose extensive health-related entry barriers for most travelers. Check a few points before you fly to St. John's.
Required Vaccinations
- Canada generally does not require proof of vaccination for entry. One exception matters: travelers arriving from or transiting through a country where yellow fever is a risk may be required to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. If your travel itinerary includes a yellow fever endemic area before arriving in St. John's, confirm whether this applies to you.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations should be up to date. Get measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella, and influenza.
- Hepatitis An and Hepatitis B vaccinations are commonly recommended for international travelers.
- See a travel health clinic or your physician at least several weeks before departure. Get personalized advice based on your health history and itinerary.
Health Insurance
Canada does not provide free healthcare to visitors. Medical treatment, even for emergency care, can be expensive without insurance. Travel health insurance that covers medical evacuation is strongly recommended. St. John's has solid healthcare facilities, including Health Sciences Centre, the main hospital. But an uninsured emergency room visit or hospital stay could result in a substantial bill. Check whether your home country's health coverage extends to Canada. If not, arrange private travel insurance before you depart.
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.
Get a Free, No-Obligation Quote from World NomadsRead our complete St. John's Travel Insurance Guide →
Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Canada takes the cross-border movement of minors seriously. If you are traveling with a child and you are not both of the child's legal parents or guardians, carry a signed consent letter from the absent parent or guardian, along with a copy of the child's birth certificate. Single parents, grandparents, and other relatives traveling with someone else's child should have written authorization. There is no official government form for this. But the letter should include the child's details, the traveling adult's details, the absent parent's details and contact information, and the dates and destination of travel. Border officers have discretion to ask for this documentation. Not having it can cause significant delays or denial of entry.
Dogs and cats entering Canada generally need a valid rabies vaccination certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian, showing the animal was vaccinated at least 30 days before arrival. Puppies and kittens under a certain age may be exempt from the rabies requirement but are still subject to inspection. Birds, reptiles, and exotic animals have additional requirements and may need import permits from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Confirm the current rules with the CFIA before you travel, as regulations on pet imports are reviewed periodically. St. John's is a relatively pet-friendly city. Check airline and ferry policies for traveling with animals to Newfoundland separately.
Most visitors to Canada are admitted for a stay of up to six months, though the border officer determines the actual permitted duration. If you wish to stay longer, you can apply for an extension of your visitor status through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before your current authorized stay expires. Working or studying in St. John's requires separate authorization: a work permit, study permit, or both, depending on your situation. Newfoundland and Labrador also has provincial immigration streams, including the Atlantic Immigration Program, for those considering a longer-term move. Start any extension or permit application well before your status expires. Processing times vary.
Skip the eTA if you arrive by sea. Marine Atlantic ferries from Nova Scotia operate under different rules. The requirement only covers air travel. You still face customs and immigration. The ferry terminal process moves faster than airport screening. Have your passport ready. Carry any required visa. Ferries depart North Sydney for two ports. Port aux Basques sits on the southwest coast. Argentia lies on the Avalon Peninsula. Argentia puts you closer to St. John's.
Know What to Pack
Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.
View St. John's Packing List →Ready to plan your trip to St. John's?
Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.