- Capital
- Ottawa (YOW)
- Dialing Code
- + 1
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT -3½ to UTC / GMT -8
- Daylight Savings Time
- Second Monday of March until first Sunday of November
- Language
- English & French
- Best Time to Go
- Year-round, depending on activities
- Currency
- Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Travel Tips
- Tax is added at the till and not to the price tag
- USD may be accepted
- Canada has 6 time zones. Some provinces encompass two time zones. During Daylight Savings time, clocks move forward 1 hour. Saskatchewan does not observe DST
- Smoking is banned in most public areas
Last updated 29 September 2026
Visa Guide
Travel Alerts
- Foreign nationals living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda are temporarily not permitted to travel to Canada
- Visa processing in South Africa is experiencing unprecedented delays. Please check visa processing time before finalising travel plans
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Canadian High Commission
1103 Arcadia St. (corner of Hilda), Hatfield, Pretoria
Telephone: 012 422 3000
E-mail: pret@international.gc.ca
Website: www.international.gc.ca
Visits by appointment only
Consulate of Canada to South Africa, in Cape Town
12 2nd Ave, Boston, Bellville, Cape Town
Email: cape-town@international.gc.ca
Visits by appointment only
The High Commission of Canada in South Africa is unable to provide information regarding immigration, permanent residency or visas.
Public Holidays
2026:
January: 1
April: 3, 6
May: 18
July: 1
September: 7, 30
October: 12
November: 11
December: 25 - 26
Observances may differ in individual provinces
Visa Application Centre
VFS: CANADA VISA APPLICATION CENTRES
Submission of biometrics and passports only
Telephone: 0800 014 854
Website: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/can
Monday - Friday, 08:00 - 16:00
PRETORIA: Brooklyn Pavilion, 316 Tram Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Brooklyn, Pretoria
CAPE TOWN: 7th Floor, 2 Long Street, Cape Town
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by South African passport holders
- Visas are also required by South African passport holders transiting through Canada by ship, even if they do not disembark
- If the ship enters a port in Canada, a visa is required
REQUIREMENTS
The visitor visa is referred to as a Temporary Resident Visa
- Application to be completed online: www.canada.ca
- Valid passport with at least one blank page. Temporary passports are not accepted.
- Bank statements showing availability of funds (6 months)
- Itinerary - flight details, accommodation bookings, registration for event
- Copies of previous visas
- Family Information document (IMM 5645): All applicants aged 18 or older to complete
- Minors: additional documentation dependant on travel circumstances
- Use of a representative (IMM 5476): If applying on behalf of a family member or third party
- Additional documentation may be requested
After completing your online application, you will receive a BIL (Biometric Instruction Letter) on receipt of this, you will need to make an appointment with VFS to submit biometrics.
Upon receipt of the Passport Request Letter, you'll have to submit your original passport, along with the Passport Request Letter, passport bio page (2 copies) and VFS Global consent form, at the Visa Application Centre
Visa Processing Time
Processing times can be checked online
Visa Validity
6 months
Visa Cost
- Visitor Visa: CAD100
- Biometrics: CAD 85
Fees are non-refundable. Fees are paid online as part of the online application
Entry Requirements
ARRIVECAN
- Travellers can submit their customs and immigration declaration to the CBSA through ArriveCAN, up to 72 hours in advance of their arrival in Canada
- ArriveCAN is available as a mobile app or by signing in online using the CBSA website
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
None
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio
South African Representative Abroad
South African High Commission
15 Sussex Drive, Ontario, K1M 1M8, Ottawa
Telephone: 001-613 744 0330
E-mail: consular.ottawa@dirco.gov.za
Website: dirco.gov.za/ottawa