While both the TRV and eTA allow foreign nationals to enter Canada for short stays, they apply to different traveller groups and have different application processes.
| Feature | Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) | Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) |
| Who needs it | Citizens of visa-required countries (e.g., India, China) | Citizens of visa-exempt countries (e.g., UK, Australia) |
| Form | Physical visa label in passport | Electronic authorization linked to passport |
| Application platform | Online or through Visa Application Centre (VAC) | Online only via IRCC website |
| Processing time | Varies by country (usually 3–6 weeks) | Typically a few minutes to 72 hours |
| Valid for | Entry by air, land, or sea | Entry by air only |
| Cost | CAD 100 | CAD 7 |
| Purpose | Tourism, visiting family, short-term business | Same as TRV (no work or study allowed) |