Visa & Entry Requirements
International participants are encouraged to check Canadian entry requirements and begin any required immigration procedure well in advance of META 2027.
Information on this page last verified: September 28, 2026
Most foreign nationals traveling to Canada require either a Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on their nationality, passport and method of travel.
Participants should use the official Government of Canada eligibility tool to determine which travel document applies to them.
Check what you need to travel to Canada
International delegates attending meetings and conferences in Canada may qualify as business visitors, provided that their stay is temporary, they do not enter the Canadian labor market, and their principal place of business and source of income remain outside Canada.
Official information for conference and event participants: canada.ca: visitors to events and conferences
Participants who require a visa must apply for a Canadian Visitor Visa / Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
There is no separate conference visa. A standard visitor visa is used for eligible short-term business and conference visits. Biometrics may be required. Processing times vary, so participants should apply as early as possible.
Visitor Visa Information & Application
Detailed application page: ircc.canada.ca: visitor visa application
Visa-exempt travelers arriving in Canada by air may require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
The eTA is applied for online. The official Government of Canada fee is currently CAD 7. Most applications are approved within minutes, although some may require additional processing.
General eTA information: canada.ca: about the eTA
META 2027 is registered with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as a special event.
IRCC has assigned the conference a Special Event Code so that visa applications associated with META 2027 can be identified and coordinated. Registration of the event does not expedite processing, guarantee approval or change the requirements that apply to each applicant.
Invited or registered participants who require supporting documentation for an immigration application will be able to request an official META 2027 Invitation Letter after their registration and applicable payment have been confirmed.
The signed letter will confirm the conference details and the participant’s registration and will provide the Special Event Code privately. The detailed request procedure will be published when registration opens. Participants should not contact the IRCC Special Events Liaison Unit directly; questions about conference documentation should be sent to contact@metaconferences.org.
Official IRCC guidance on supporting documents: canada.ca: common supporting documents
Visa-required participants may be asked to provide their full name as shown in their passport, the passport country of issuance and their visa application number. META may share this limited information with IRCC to identify and coordinate the processing of applications associated with the event.
The invitation-letter request process will include a disclosure explaining this use of participant information. The conference will not publish these details.
Visa-required participants should submit their applications as early as possible and before making non-refundable travel arrangements. Application processing times depend on the country of application and individual circumstances.
Visa and entry decisions are made exclusively by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and Canadian border authorities.
META 2027 and its organizers cannot influence visa decisions, guarantee approval, expedite individual applications or overturn a refusal. Participants remain responsible for ensuring that they hold the documents required to enter Canada.
Official Resources
The official eligibility tool: start here.
canada.ca →Information and application for the Temporary Resident Visa.
canada.ca →Online application for visa-exempt air travelers.
canada.ca →Official guidance for event and conference participants.
canada.ca →