Last updated: 24 Oct 2025
Canada
About
| Few countries in the world offer as many choices to the traveller as Canada. Whether your passion is skiing, sailing, museum-combing or indulging in exceptional cuisine, Canada has it all. Western Canada is renowned for its stunningly beautiful countryside; Eastern Canada mixes the flavour and charm of Europe with the bustle of New York; wildlife viewing is at its best in Northern Canada; and everywhere you will be surprised by how much more there is to this country than just maple syrup and Mounties. Ontario is Canada's most populous province, highlighted by the sheer size and energy of its two largest cities (one the federal capital, the other the provincial capital), Ottawa and Toronto. The far north and west of Ontario is a largely uninhabited wilderness of lakes, swamps and forests. The Northwest Territories are part of Canada's vast, remote north. Most of the territories' population and commercial activity is based in Yellowknife and around Great Slave Lake. Even entering Prince Edward Island is elating. Confederation Bridge, the longest bridge in Canada and the longest bridge over ice-covered waters worldwide, connects this island province with Canada's mainland, dramatically stretching far into the distance over shimmering blue waters. |
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| Capital: | Ottawa (YOW) |
| Currency: | Canadian Dollar (CAD). USD may be accepted. . |
| Language: | English and French |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 1 |
| Time Zones: | Canada has 6 time zones. Some provinces encompass two time zones. Newfoundland Standard Time Zone: UTC / GMT -3½ (5½ hours behind South Africa) Atlantic Standard Time Zone: UTC / GMT -4 (6 hours behind South Africa) Eastern Standard Time Zone: UTC / GMT -5 (7 hours behind South Africa) Central Standard Time Zone: UTC / GMT -6 (8 hours behind South Africa) Mountain Standard Time Zone: UTC / GMT -7 (9 hours behind South Africa) Pacific Standard Time Zone: UTC / GMT -8 (10 hours behind South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | From second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November: clocks move forward 1 hour. Saskatchewan does not observe DST. |
| Side of the Road: | Right |
| Best time to go: | Year Round, depending on activities: spring is mid-March to mid-June, summer mid-June to mid-September, fall mid-September to mid-November, and winter mid-November to mid-March. |
| Best For: | Winter sports, National Parks, Niagara Falls, UNESCO World Heritage Sites |
| Plugs: | 110-120 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style flat two-pin and three-pin (grounded) plugs are standard. |
| Drinking Water: | Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. Outside of the main towns, water may be contaminated. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. If you are travelling to a remote area / camping, healthcare facilities may be more limited. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies. |
| Customs: | Normal social courtesies. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Smoking is banned in most public areas. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Tax is added at the till and not to the price tag. |
| Duty Free: | The following goods may be imported into Canada without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 200g of loose tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks per person over 18 years of age. • 1.5L of wine or 1.14L of spirits or 8.5L of beer or ale per person over 18 years of age if entering Alberta, Manitoba and Québec, and over 19 years if entering British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Yukon. • Non-residents can bring gifts to the value of C$60 per gift (excluding advertising matter, business-related materials, tobacco or alcoholic beverages). • Canadian residents can bring goods to the value of C$200 for trips out of the country of 24 hours or more (excluding alcohol and tobacco) and C$800 for trips of 48 hours or more (including alcohol and tobacco). |
| Prohibited Imports: | The import of firearms, explosives, endangered species of animals and plants, animal products, meat, dairy, and food and plant material is subject to certain restrictions and formalities. Check the Canada Border Services Agency website (www.cbsa.gc.ca) for further details. |
| Prohibited Exports: | Some products made from endangered animals may require an export certificate. |
Travel Alerts
NOTE: Visa processing in South Africa is experiencing unprecedented delays. Please check visa processing time before finalising travel plans.
This Information is intended as a Guideline.
Issuing Authorities
Canadian High Commission
1103 Arcadia St. (corner of Hilda), Hatfield, Pretoria
Tel: 012 422 3000
E-mail: pret@international.gc.ca
Web: 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 2025: Jan 1; Apr 18, 21; May 19; Jul 1; Sep 1, 30; Oct 13; Nov 11; Dec 25-26 (Observances may differ in individual provinces)
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1; Apr 3, 6; May 18; Jul 1; Sep 7, 30; Oct 12; Nov 11; Dec 25-26 (Observances may differ in individual provinces)
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.
VFS: CANADA VISA APPLICATION CENTRES
Submission of biometrics and passports only.
Tel: 0800 014 854
Web: 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
REQUIREMENTS
NOTE: 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
- Note: 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
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
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.
SA Representative
South African High Commission
15 Sussex Drive, Ontario, K1M 1M8, Ottawa
Tel: 001-613 744 0330
E-mail: consular.ottawa@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco.gov.za/ottawa
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio |
