Will you be travelling internationally in 2024? If you're a Canadian passport holder, some international countries require you to pay different kinds of fees as a traveller, even if you may not need a visa to visit.
Several countries ask Canadian passport holders to pay for an Electronic Travel Authority, while others may charge tourist taxes or other visitor fees.
Either way, even if you don't need a visa to visit a country, it doesn't mean you won't need to register as a tourist in some other way. Here are 11 countries that Canadians will have to pay to visit in 2024.
Australia
Details: Canadian passport holders wishing to travel to the land down under will have to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority.
The ETA allows Canadians to visit Australia as often as they like in a 12-month period, and stay up to three months each time they enter the country.
With the travel authority, you can visit family or friends, cruise or have a holiday and undertake some business visitor activities.
To be eligible, you must apply from outside Australia and have a valid Canadian passport. To apply, Canadians must use the Australian ETA app, for which there is a service charge of AU$20 (about CA$17.75).
Australia's Department of Home Affairs says that in most cases, applicants are notified of the result of their ETA application immediately, but still recommends applying well ahead of when you want to travel.
New Zealand
Details: Like Australia, New Zealand requires Canadian passport holders to obtain an ETA before travelling to the country.
The ETA allows Canadians to travel to New Zealand without having to apply for a visa.
According to New Zealand Immigration, the ETA is valid for 2 years and allows for stays of up to 3 months at a time. If you want to stay longer in the country, you'll have to apply for a visitor visa.
When you request an ETA, you'll be asked to provide proof of your identity, whether you are coming to New Zealand for medical consultation or treatment, and some questions about your character.
The ETA costs NZ$17 (about CA$14) and has a processing time of about 72 hours. You can request an ETA online or by using the NZeTA app.
Kenya
Details: While a visa isn't required for Canadian passport holders visiting Kenya, as of January 1, 2024, tourists are required to apply and pay for an Electronic Travel Authorization before their trip.
The ETA offers permission to travel and is authorized by the Government of the Republic of Kenya. The Kenya Directorate of Immigrations and Citizen Services notes, however, that an ETA does not determine whether a traveller is admissible to enter Kenya, and that immigration officers will determine admissibility upon a travellers' arrival.
Travellers can apply for the ETA online. To apply, you'll need a passport that is valid for at least six months after your planned date of arrival into Kenya, contact information and accommodation booking confirmation, in addition to other things.
Processing time for an ETA is three business days, though it may take longer. The ETA costs US$30 or about CA$40.
Indonesia
Details: If you're planning a trip to Bali in 2024, you'll have to pay a new tax.
According to the Government of Canada, starting on February 14, 2024, tourists entering the island will be subject to the Love Bali Tourist Levy.
The fee is meant to help preserve the integrity and balance of Bali's nature, its people and culture, and is in addition to the visa fees a traveller must pay to enter Indonesia.
The fee is 150,000 Indonesian rupiah, which is equivalent to about CA$13. Those travelling to Bali must pay directly through the Provincial Government of Bali website.
Seychelles
Details: While Canadian passport holders don't need a visa for tourist stays in Seychelles, they do need to apply for a travel authorization prior to their arrival in the country.
Every non-Seychelles citizen must apply for a digital travel authorization, which serves as approval for travel to the country.
To apply, some information including your contact information, airline booking confirmation and accommodation booking confirmation is required.
According to Travizory Border Security SA, Seychelles' electronic border system, a standard adult travel authorization costs 10 euros, or about CA$14.50
The form can be completed online and submitted up to 30 days before travel. Once issued, the travel authorization is valid for one journey to the country and must be renewed for each additional journey. It expires once you exit the country.
According to the Seychelles government, the reviewing process may take up to 24 hours before validation.
Sri Lanka
Details: Canadian passport holders travelling to Sri Lanka must obtain an Electronic Travel Authority prior to their travel.
The ETA is valid for short tourist visits to the country for the purposes of sightseeing and vacationing, and visiting friends and families, for example.
A tourist ETA is granted for 30 days and allows for double entries into the country made from the date of initial arrival within the given 30 days.
For longer stays of visits for other purposes, Canadian passport holders may need to obtain a different visa. However, the ETA may be extended to a maximum of 270 days from the date of arrival.
The ETA costs US$50 (about CA$67) and is valid for six months once issued.
Brazil
Details: Canadian passport holders can travel to Brazil visa-free until April 2024.
Starting on April 10, Canadian nationals will be required to obtain an electronic entry visa (e-visa), according to Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Previously, the visa requirement was set to come into effect in January 2024. However, the Brazil government extended it to avoid starting it during the peak travel season.
The visitor visa is meant for Canadians travelling to Brazil for maximum stays of up to 90 days for the purposes of tourism, business, study, health treatment and more.
The e-visa application must be made on the official Brazil e-visa website, and costs US$80.90, or about CA$121. It has a processing time of up to 5 working days.
Cuba
Details: Canadian passport holders don't need a visa to enter Cuba, but they do require a Cuba Tourist Card.
In most cases, the tourist card will be provided for travellers when they book a flight or vacation package with an airline -- for example, Air Transat says that travellers will get a tourist card onboard their flight, or at the airline counter when they check-in.
Sunwing recommends checking if your tour operators or airline provides a tourist card prior to arriving in Cuba.
If no tourist card is provided, you can apply at the nearest Cuban consulate or embassy.
According to the Government of Canada, if you go to Cuba on your own or transit via another country, you are responsible for obtaining the tourist card from a Cuban government office in Canada.
You may also buy it at some airports in Canada and in the United States. You can also apply through the officially licenced third-party Visa Cuba. The tourist card itself costs 27 euros, or about CA$39, with higher fees for priority delivery.
Cabo Verde
Details: Travellers flying to Cabo Verde in West Africa in 2024 will have to register prior to their departure and be prepared to pay an airport fee.
According to the Ministry of Internal Administration, travellers must register at the online electronic platform EASE, preferably five days before their travel date.
The registration can be done by the individual or a travel agent and will require information including passport details, arrival and departure dates, flight number and place of accommodation.
When registering, Canadians travelling by air will also be required to pay an Airport Security Fee, which is "due as a compensation for the services provided to air transport passengers."
For international flights, the fee is 3,400 Cape Verdean escudos, or about CA$44.50.
Japan
Details: Canadians travelling to Japan in 2024 will have to pay a tourist tax.
Travellers departing the country must pay a tax of 1,000 yen (about CA$9), which the Japanese government says is used to help "expand and enhance" the country’s tourism infrastructure.
The government says revenues from the tourist tax, which is charged per departure, will be allocated to creating a more comfortable, stress-free tourist environment, improving access to information about a wide variety of attractions of Japan, and developing tourist resources.
Those who must pay are tourists leaving Japan by air or ship. However, in most cases, the traveller will pay the tax to the cruise line or airline used to leave Japan. The tax may also be collected by another organization, such as the travel agency you use to book your trip.
Italy
Details: While the previously announced ETIAS for visiting Schengen-zone countries was postponed until 2025, in 2024, Canadians will have to pay a fee to visit part of Italy.
In November, Venice announced a new tourist access fee that would charge day-trippers to visit the city.
According to the Town of Venice, the fee is applied as an alternative to the city's tourist tax and is aimed at those who access the ancient city without staying in an accommodation.
The fee is 5 euros, or about CA$7.25, and can be paid online. There are some exceptions for those visiting the city for work, to visit acquaintances, and educational visits.
In January, the city launched an online portal to pay the fee, according to EuroNews. The fee applies to visits on certain days, a calendar of which can be found online.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
