Canada eTA

An eTA, or Electronic Travel Authorization, is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada. It is not a visa and not a document in your passport; it is an electronic authorization linked to the specific passport you used to apply. Most applications are approved automatically within minutes, though some are referred for further review. An eTA lets you travel to Canada as a visitor, but the final decision on entry and on how long you may stay is always made by a border services officer.

Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an eTA when they fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. This includes citizens of countries such as the UK, most of the European Union, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Citizens of visa-required countries do not use an eTA; they need a visitor visa instead. US citizens are exempt and do not need an eTA, though lawful permanent residents of the US generally do. Because the rules have specific exceptions, confirm your own requirement on canada.ca before you fly.

Generally no. The eTA requirement applies to visa-exempt travellers arriving by air. If you are a visa-exempt traveller entering Canada by land, for example by car or bus from the United States, or by sea, you do not normally need an eTA, though you must still carry valid travel documents and meet entry requirements. If your trip combines a flight with land travel, the air segment is what triggers the eTA, so it is safest to hold one if any part of your journey involves flying to Canada.

The eTA fee is CAD $7 per person at the time of writing, which makes it far cheaper than a visitor visa. You pay it by credit card when you apply through the official Government of Canada website. Be careful of third-party websites that charge much higher fees for the same service; the only official application is on canada.ca. Because government fees can change, it is worth confirming the current amount on canada.ca before you apply.

An eTA is valid for up to five years, or until the passport it is linked to expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need a new eTA, because the authorization is tied to the specific passport used in the application. While the eTA is valid, you can use it for multiple trips to Canada. Each time you arrive, a border services officer still decides whether to admit you and for how long, usually up to six months at a time.

You apply online through the official Government of Canada website. You need a valid passport, a credit card to pay the CAD $7 fee, and an email address. The form asks for basic personal, passport and background information and usually takes only a few minutes to complete. Most applicants receive approval by email within minutes, but some applications are referred for additional review, which can take several days, so do not leave it to the last minute before travelling.

An eTA and a visitor visa both let you enter Canada as a visitor, but they apply to different travellers. An eTA is for visa-exempt nationals flying to Canada; it is a quick, low-cost electronic authorization valid for up to five years. A visitor visa (TRV) is for travellers from visa-required countries; it is a full application that includes biometrics and a document placed in your passport. Your nationality, not your preference, determines which one you need.

No. An eTA only authorizes you to travel to Canada as a visitor. It does not let you enter the Canadian labour market or enrol in a long study programme. To work you need a work permit, and for a programme longer than six months you need a study permit. Some short courses and certain business visitor activities are allowed without a permit, but an eTA itself is purely a travel authorization for visiting, so always apply for the correct status if your plans involve working or studying.

Most eTA applications are approved automatically within minutes, but a minority are referred for manual review, which can add several days. A referral on its own does not mean a problem; it simply means an officer needs to look at the application before deciding. To avoid stress, apply well before you book or travel. If you have questions about your eligibility or a more complex travel history, our team can advise on the right approach before you apply.