Travel and Visa Information

Visa Applications

Whether you need a visa to enter Canada depends on your nationality. Please visit the Canadian Government Website for more information. Once you submit an application, you may track its status on this website. (Indicate "temporary residence" and "visitor visa" from the dropdown menus.) 

Immigration Canada strongly recommends that event participants apply for their visas as early as possible. It is important to note that most visa-required participants may need to provide their biometrics. Biometrics can only be provided in person at a biometric collection site, and visa processing does not begin until biometrics are on file. For more information about biometrics, please consult this webpage.

Virtually all visitors (except those from the USA) must complete an eTA application for entry. Learn more about the eTA process here. 

Visa Invitation Letters

As the conference organizer, GALA can provide a letter of invitation to delegates who are registered for the conference. Invitation letters may take up to a week to process, so please plan ahead. GALA will only provide letters of invitation to individuals already registered for the conference.

We recognize that visa applications can be denied. GALA will waive cancellation fees for delegates who do not receive a visa and must cancel their conference registration.

If you need a letter of invitation, please use the link in your registration confirmation email (which you will receive after registering) to complete the visa letter request form.