New to Canada

Visiting or moving to Canada? Doing your research in advance will help you to make the most of your visit.

Canadian Electronic Travel Authorizations for Irish citizens

Are you an Irish citizen travelling to Canada by air? From 15 March 2016 you will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Canada has introduced an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or transiting through Canada. As of March 15, 2016, travellers who do not require a visa to fly to Canada need to apply for an eTA. This includes passengers travelling on an Irish passport.

Applying for an eTA is simple, inexpensive ($7 Canadian) online process that takes minutes to complete. To apply, travellers must have a valid passport, a credit card, and an e-mail address. An eTA i electronically linked to a passenger's passport and once approved, it is valid for 5 years or until passport expiry.

To ensure there are no travel disruptions while travellers learn about the eTA requirement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a transition period (leniency period). During this period, border services officers are able to admit travellers arriving in Canada without an eTA, provided they are not otherwise inadmissible. This leniency period will be in place until September 29, 2016.

As of September 30, 2016, passengers who arrive at the airport without an eTA should expect to experience delays in their travels. For this reason, travellers should apply for their eTA before booking your flight to Canada.

For more information or to apply for an eTA, visit Canada.ca/eTA

Irish Canadian dual citizens please note carefully:

Dual citizens, who hold Canadian citizenship and citizenship from a visa-exempt country such as Ireland, cannot apply for an eTA because eTA was set up to screen foreign visitors for admissibility to enter Canada.

If you are a dual Irish-Canadian citizen you cannot apply for an eTA on your Irish passport and must enter Canada on a valid Canadian passport. You may be denied boarding if you attempt to travel using your Irish passport.

To prepare for these changes, dual citizens are strongly encouraged to apply for a Canadian passport. This will prevent delays during travel and help ensure dual Canadian citizens are treated according to the rules that apply to Canadian citizens.

NOTE: As it can take time to get a Canadian passport, IRCC encourages Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, to renew or obtain these documents as soon as they can and before leniency period ends. Find out more about travel documents for dual Canadian citizens flying to Canada.

Irish citizens who are permanent resident (PRs) of Canada, please note carefully:

Permanent resident (PRs) of Canada are not eligible to apply for an eTA. Canadian PRs must carry and present their valid PR card or Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) when boarding a flight to Canada or traveling to Canada on any other commercial carrier.

If your PR card expires, it does not mean you have lost permanent resident status, however it is your responsibility to apply for a new PR card when your current card expires. If you need to replace or renew your permanent resident card, make sure to plan ahead and check the processing times.

If you have lived outside of Canada for many years and are not sure whether you are still a Canadian permanent resident, see "How long must I stay in Canada to keep my permanent resident status" to review the residency requirement details.

Visiting Canada

If you’re travelling to Canada, our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information.

Getting to Canada from Ireland has never been easier with direct air routes to Toronto (Air Lingus, Air Canada, Montreal (Air Transat), St. John’s (Westjet) and Halifax (Europe Airpost).

Explore Canada with Destination Canada

Moving to Canada

If you’re moving to Canada, our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information.

Please note that the following links are provided for information purposes only and the Embassy is not responsible for the content of external websites or activities of groups/societies.

The Irish Canadian Immigration Centre is a not-for-profit organization offering outreach and information in areas such as employment, social services, and immigration. There are no fees for their services.

Exchange of driving licences

The recognition of the Irish driving licence is an important issue for the local Irish community in Canada and the completion of recognition agreements greatly enhances the employability of many new Irish migrants.

The Embassy has been in contact with all 10 Canadian Provinces about reciprocal agreements for the exchange of Irish driving licences for local driving licences. To date, the following Canadian Provinces will exchange a full Irish driver's licence for a local licence:

British Colombia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland Labrador
Ontario
Saskatchewan

A number of other Provinces are at a very advanced stage.

Irish Community Organisations and Festivals in Canada

If you have recently moved to Canada, you may wish to meet with other Irish citizens who are part of a local organisation or business network that can provide you with general advice, information and guidance.

Whatever your interest, there is a group for you. The following links are provided for information purposes and not as an endorsement. Organisations are listed by province and town/city. If you would like your Irish community group or festival to be included here, please contact us with details.

Canada Wide

Canada GAA - Gaelic Games

Website: www.canada.gaa.ie
Email: secretary.ca@gaa.ie

Celtic Canada - Magazine, Newsletter, Website connecting our communities coast to coast

Website: www.celticcanada.com
Twitter: @CelticCanada
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celticcanada1/

Alberta

Calgary

Irish Cultural Society of Calgary

Website: www.calgaryics.org
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Calgary-Irish-Cultural-Society/404772519674059?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IrishYYC
Email: calgaryics@gmail.com
Address: 6452 - 35 Avenue NW, Calgary, Alberta T3B 1S6
Tel: 1-403-288-8641

Ireland-Canada Centre for Commerce, Calgary

Website: www.iccccal.com
Email: lregan@iccccal.com
Tel: 403-244-9017

Comhaltas Calgary

CalgaryAlberta@comhaltas.net

Liffey Players Drama Society

Website: http://www.liffeyplayers.com/
Email:info@liffeyplayers.com

Calgary Chieftains - Gaelic Games

Website: http://www.calgarychieftains.com
Email: calgarychieftains@gmail.com

Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club (Rugby)

4334 – 18th Street NE
Calgary, Alberta
Ph: 403-291-5181
Email: info@calgaryirishrugby.com

Edmonton

Edmonton Wolfe Tones - Gaelic Games

Website: www.edmontongaa.com
Email: edmontongaasecretary@gmail.com

Edmonton's Irish Sports & Social Society

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Edmontons-Irish-Sports-Social-Society/218399498221310?sk=info&tab=overview
Address: 12546 126 Street, Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: +1 780-453-2249

Edmonton Leprechaun Tiger Rugby Club

Twitter @LepTigerRugby
Tel 780 914 1994

Edmonton Chapter of the Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce

http://iccced.com/

Fort McMurray

Fort McMurray Shamrocks - Gaelic Games
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-McMurray-Shamrocks-GAA/153290834735220

Red Deer

Red Deer Eire Ogs - Gaelic Games

Email: blainelavery@gmail.com

Water Valley

Water Valley Traditional Celtic Folk Festival

Website: www.watervalleycelticfestival.org

British Colombia

Vancouver

Irish in BC

A portal to connect Irish in Vancouver, including a list of community groups and a calendar of community events.
Website: https://irishinbc.ca/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/irishinvancouver