Can You Travel to Canada With a Valid Visa in an Old Passport?
Yes. You can travel to Canada with a valid visa in an old passport if you also carry your new, valid passport or travel document. IRCC says you may need to explain why the previous passport is no longer valid. It also recommends obtaining a visa in your current passport to help avoid border delays.
This guide covers Canadian visitor visas, also called temporary resident visas. An electronic travel authorization (eTA) follows different rules.
Source: IRCC guidance on using a visa in an old passport.
Check which travel document you have
Before making travel arrangements, identify whether your Canadian authorization is a visa sticker or an eTA.
| Document | What to check after renewing your passport |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa in your previous passport | Keep the passport containing the valid visa available for travel alongside your new passport. |
| eTA linked to your previous passport | Apply for a new eTA using the replacement passport. |
| Study permit, work permit, or visitor record | Check your separate travel-entry requirements; these documents serve a different purpose from a visa. |
Sources: IRCC eTA guidance and IRCC immigration document types.
What to check before your flight
Use this practical checklist when preparing your documents:
- Locate the original documents. Keep the required passports in your hand luggage so they are accessible during check-in and inspection.
- Check the visa itself. Look at its expiry date and entry conditions. Passport renewal does not extend the visa’s validity.
- Check your current passport. Canada requires a valid passport or accepted travel document. IRCC also explains that a study permit, work permit, or visitor record cannot be issued beyond passport expiry.
- Prepare documents for your visit. Depending on your circumstances, these may include an invitation letter and evidence supporting the purpose and funding of your stay.
- Review your full itinerary. Ask your airline about document checks and verify transit requirements for any connecting country.
If the passport containing your visa is missing, or the visa is damaged, do not assume this routine two-passport guidance resolves your situation. Contact IRCC before relying on it.
Sources: Valid passports and travel documents and Preparing for arrival as a visitor.
Does an eTA transfer to a new passport?
No. An eTA is electronically connected to the passport used for the application. If you replace that passport, you need a new eTA.
Check the passport number in your approval email against your travel document. An approval linked to the wrong passport can prevent boarding. Apply ahead of your trip: some applications need additional processing.
If you already hold a valid Canadian visitor visa, IRCC says you do not also need an eTA.
Sources: eTA after applying and Do visa holders need an eTA?.
Also Read: Canada Online Passport Renewals: Who Can Apply Now
Does a valid Canadian visa guarantee entry?
No. A border services officer assesses whether you meet Canada’s entry requirements when you arrive. A visa allows you to travel for that examination; it does not promise admission.
Be ready to explain the purpose of your visit and your intended arrangements. Visitors must satisfy the officer that they qualify for entry and will leave when their authorized stay ends.
Source: IRCC visitor arrival guidance.
Is the visa expiry date your deadline to leave Canada?
No. Visa validity and authorized stay are separate.
The visa’s expiry date concerns using it to travel to Canada. The period you may remain is determined when you enter, or through a subsequent authorized extension. Check any date or conditions recorded in your passport or visitor record instead of treating the visa sticker as permission to stay until its expiry.
Source: IRCC explanation of visa expiry and length of stay.