An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to Canada or transit through a Canadian airport. It is electronically linked to your passport and is checked before you board your flight to Canada. Citizens of some visa-required countries may also apply for an eTA instead of a visa when travelling by air, if they meet specific conditions.
The eTA became mandatory for visa-exempt air travellers on November 10, 2016, after a leniency period. It allows Canada to screen travellers before they arrive, much like similar systems used by other countries. For most travellers the process is quick and inexpensive, but mistakes in the application, past immigration problems or a criminal record can lead to delays, refusals or even a finding of misrepresentation.
This guide explains who needs an eTA, who is exempt, how to apply, how long it is valid, special rules for students, workers, children and Mexican citizens, and what to do if your application is delayed or refused. It is based on information published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Electronic Travel Authorization
Canada eTA at a Glance
What visa-exempt travellers should know before booking a flight.
Visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents, U.S. citizens, and U.S. lawful permanent residents with valid status.
Up to five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. A new passport needs a new eTA.
The fee is CAD $7. Most applicants are approved within minutes, but some requests take several days.
The documents you need depend on your citizenship, your status in Canada or the United States, and how you travel. The table below summarizes the main categories of air travellers.
| Traveller | What you need to fly to Canada |
|---|---|
| Visa-exempt foreign national | An eTA |
| Citizen of certain visa-required countries | An eTA instead of a visa only if you meet IRCC’s conditions; otherwise a visitor visa |
| Other visa-required travellers | A visitor visa |
| U.S. citizen | No eTA; carry proper identification |
| U.S. lawful permanent resident | No eTA; carry proof of valid U.S. status and a valid passport |
| Canadian citizen, including dual citizens | A valid Canadian passport (you cannot apply for an eTA) |
| Canadian permanent resident | A permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document |
Citizens of visa-exempt countries need an eTA to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. Visa-exempt countries include, for example, the United Kingdom, Ireland, most European Union countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea, but the list changes from time to time. Always check your status using IRCC’s official tool before you travel. Visa-exempt travellers who arrive by car, bus, train or boat, including a cruise ship, do not need an eTA, but they must carry acceptable identification and travel documents.
Citizens of some visa-required countries may apply for an eTA instead of a visa, but only for air travel and only if they meet IRCC’s conditions, which typically relate to having held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or currently holding a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa. If you do not meet the conditions, or if you plan to enter Canada by land or sea, you need a visitor visa.
U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement and must carry proper identification, such as a valid U.S. passport. Lawful permanent residents of the United States who hold valid status are also exempt, but they must carry official proof of their U.S. status, such as a valid green card, and a valid passport from their country of nationality.
Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, cannot apply for an eTA and need a valid Canadian passport to fly to Canada. Canadian permanent residents need a valid permanent resident card or a permanent resident travel document. A dual citizen who tries to travel on their other passport may be unable to board their flight.
| eTA | Visitor visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Who applies | Visa-exempt foreign nationals and some eligible visa-required travellers | Citizens of visa-required countries |
| Travel mode | Air travel only | Air, land and sea |
| Government fee | CAD $7 | CAD $100, plus $85 for biometrics |
| Biometrics | Not required for an eTA on its own | Generally required |
| Validity | Up to 5 years or until the passport expires | Up to 10 years or until the passport or biometrics expire |
| Typical processing | Most approved within minutes; some take several days | Varies by country; often weeks or months |
| Where it is recorded | Electronically linked to the passport | Counterfoil placed in the passport |
Application process
Applying for an eTA in 5 Steps
You apply online, one person at a time, on the official IRCC eTA page. You will need a valid passport, a credit or debit card to pay the CAD $7 fee, and an email address. Most applicants receive an approval by email within minutes, but some requests take several days, especially if IRCC asks for supporting documents. IRCC recommends getting an eTA before you book your flight.
In addition to your passport and personal details, the form asks background questions, for example about previous refusals of a visa or permit, or of entry to Canada or another country, criminal offences, certain medical conditions, and your occupation and contact information. These questions must be answered truthfully and completely. If you are unsure how to answer a question, for example because of an old conviction or a past refusal, seek advice before submitting, because a false or incomplete answer can have long-term consequences.
An eTA is linked to the specific passport you used to apply. If the passport number is entered incorrectly, you may not be able to board your flight. Check the number carefully against the passport you will travel with, and pay attention to letters and numbers that look alike, such as the letter O and the number 0. If you notice a mistake after submitting, you will generally need to apply for a new eTA.
A parent or guardian can apply for an eTA on behalf of a child, and a representative can apply on behalf of an applicant. Each traveller needs their own eTA, including children, and each application is paid separately.
IRCC warns travellers to apply only on the official Government of Canada website. Some third-party websites charge additional fees to submit an eTA application or present themselves in a way that looks official. Check that you are on a canada.ca page before entering your information or paying.
An eTA is valid for up to five years or until the passport linked to it expires, whichever comes first. You can travel to Canada as many times as you wish while it is valid, normally for stays of up to six months at a time. If you get a new passport, you need a new eTA. An eTA does not determine how long you can stay in Canada; that decision is made by the border services officer when you arrive.
If you are from a visa-exempt country and apply for your first study permit or work permit from outside Canada, IRCC automatically issues an eTA when your permit application is approved; you do not need to apply for it separately or pay an extra fee. If you later renew your permit from inside Canada and want to travel, check whether you need to apply for a new eTA before you leave. An eTA allows you to travel to Canada, but it does not authorize you to work or study; you need a valid study permit or work permit for that.
An approved eTA allows you to board a flight to Canada, but a border services officer will still review your documents on arrival and decide whether you may enter and for how long. Carry documents that support the purpose of your trip, such as a return ticket, proof of funds and, if applicable, a letter of invitation.
If you do not receive a decision within minutes, IRCC may need more time or may ask you to submit additional documents, such as a police certificate or medical information. Read all emails from IRCC carefully, including your spam folder, and respond within the deadline. You can check the status of your application online.
An eTA may be refused if IRCC believes you are inadmissible to Canada, for example because of criminality, security concerns, health concerns, previous immigration violations or misrepresentation. If your eTA is refused, you cannot simply reapply with different answers. Depending on the reasons, options may include applying for a visitor visa with full supporting documents, addressing criminal inadmissibility through rehabilitation or a temporary resident permit, or seeking judicial review at the Federal Court within the strict deadline.
Providing false information or withholding material facts in any immigration application, including an eTA, can lead to a finding of misrepresentation. A person found inadmissible for misrepresentation is generally barred from applying for permanent residence for five years. For this reason, travellers with any criminal or immigration history should get legal advice before answering the eTA questions.
Travel checklist
Before You Fly to Canada
Preparing these documents in advance makes your arrival smoother and helps you answer the border services officer’s questions clearly. For a child travelling without one or both parents, our notary services can witness the consent letter, as recommended by the Government of Canada.
Most eTA applications are simple, but when they are not, the consequences can be serious. Our Toronto immigration lawyers help travellers with:
The government fee is CAD $7 per person.
Up to five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You can travel to Canada as many times as you wish while it remains valid.
Most applicants are approved within minutes, but some applications take several days, especially if IRCC asks for additional documents. Apply before booking your flight.
No. Lawful permanent residents of the United States with valid status are exempt, but they must carry proof of their status and a valid passport.
No. Visa-exempt travellers arriving by car, bus, train or boat do not need an eTA, but they must carry the proper travel documents.
Yes. An eTA is linked to a specific passport, so you need a new eTA when you get a new passport.
No. An eTA only allows you to travel to Canada. Working or studying generally requires a work permit or study permit.
No. A border services officer makes the final decision when you arrive in Canada.
Yes. A parent or legal guardian can apply on behalf of a child. Each child needs their own eTA linked to their own passport, and each application is paid separately.
You will generally need to apply for a new eTA with the correct passport number. Do this before you travel, because the airline will check the eTA linked to the passport you present.
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees and processing practices change frequently; always confirm the current requirements on the official Government of Canada website before applying.
To discuss your situation with an immigration lawyer in Toronto, contact Lewis & Associates LLP or call +1 (416) 924-2227.