IRCC.com

By

Tourists at Lake Louise with the Rocky Mountains behind them

Jamaica & Costa Rica Fans: Canada Visitor Visa for the 2026 World Cup

For football fans from Jamaica and Costa Rica hoping to cheer on their teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Toronto and Vancouver, a Canada visitor visa (also known as a Temporary Resident Visa, or TRV) is a must. Unlike some other countries, travellers from these CONCACAF-region nations can't use an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for air travel to Canada. It's smart to plan well ahead, especially with the high demand expected for the tournament.

Visitor visa or eTA: knowing what you need

Understanding the difference between a visa and an eTA is the first step for any international visitor to Canada. The requirement depends entirely on your nationality and how you plan to enter the country.

About the electronic travel authorization (eTA)

An eTA is a digital travel document that most visa-exempt foreign nationals need to fly to or transit through Canada. It's electronically linked to a traveller's passport and is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Visitors from countries like France, Germany, and the UK, for instance, would typically apply for an eTA to attend the World Cup. You can learn more about this process in our guide on [how to apply for a Canada eTA in time for the 2026 World Cup](/news/how-to-apply-for-a-canada-eta-in-time-for-the

A small portion of this article — research support, fact-cross-checking, and copy-editing — was assisted by AI tooling. Editorial decisions, source verification, and final sign-off remain with our team. We cite primary sources from canada.ca for every factual claim.

Last reviewed: July 16, 2026

IRCC.com is an independent news site and not affiliated with the Government of Canada.

Want the next IRCC update in your inbox?

Weekly digest. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Free tools for this topic

More news

Comments

For general discussion only. We can’t review individual cases or give immigration advice — for that, contact a licensed representative.

Comments post instantly. Spam and abuse are filtered automatically.

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.