A Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is a required entry permit for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air. It is electronically linked to your passport and remains valid for up to five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
With a valid ETA, travelers can enter Canada multiple times, staying up to six months per visit. However, an ETA does not guarantee entry—final approval is determined by Canadian border officers upon arrival.
Check Also: Canadian Super VISA – Application Process
Who Needs a Canadian ETA?
You may apply for a Canadian ETA if you:
- Are a citizen of a visa-exempt country (see full list below) and are flying to Canada.
- Have held a valid Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years and plan to travel or transit through Canada by air.
- Currently hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa and wish to travel to Canada.
- Are a citizen of Brazil and meet the eligibility criteria for an ETA.
Important Notes:
- U.S. citizens do not need an ETA or a visitor visa; they only need a valid U.S. passport.
- Traveling by land or sea? You may not need an ETA but may require a visitor visa depending on your nationality.
ETA Application Fee and Processing Time:
- Application Fee: CAD $7 (non-refundable, paid online via credit card).
- Processing Time: Most applications are approved within minutes, but some may require additional documentation, taking several days.
- Apply at least one month before travel to avoid delays.
How to Apply for Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization VISA?
- Visit the official Government of Canada website (Canada.ca).
- Fill out the ETA online application form with personal details and passport information.
- Answer the eligibility questionnaire truthfully.
- Pay the CAD $7 application fee using a valid Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit card.
- Receive confirmation via email—approval may take minutes or up to 72 hours if additional documents are needed.
- Check your passport number in the approval email to ensure accuracy.
- Present the same passport at the airport when flying to Canada.
Countries Eligible for a Canadian ETA:
Citizens of the following visa-exempt countries can apply for an ETA:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Brunei Darussalam
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong (SAR passport holders)
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel (must have national passport, not travel document)
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Papua New Guinea
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan (must have a passport issued by Taiwan that includes a personal identification number)
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Vatican City
Duration of Stay and ETA Validity:
- Upon arrival, border officers determine the allowed stay, typically up to six months per visit.
- If you wish to stay longer, you must leave Canada and re-enter or apply for a visitor visa extension.
- The ETA remains valid for five years or until your passport expires—whichever comes first.
Common ETA Mistakes to Avoid:
- Ensure your passport details are correct when applying.
- Use the same passport for travel that you used to apply for your ETA.
- Apply well in advance to avoid last-minute issues.
- Keep a copy of the approval email for reference.
- If your ETA is denied, check for eligibility issues and consider applying for a visitor visa instead.
What Happens If Your ETA Application is Rejected?
If your ETA is denied, you may need to:
- Reapply with corrected or additional information.
- Apply for a visitor visa (TRV) if you do not qualify for an ETA.
- Contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for assistance.
Final Notes:
- Always check the official Government of Canada website (Canada.ca) for updates.
- If your travel plans change, ensure your ETA remains valid before booking flights.
- Contact the IRCC or a Canadian consulate if you need clarification.
This guide is for informational purposes only. For the most accurate and updated details, visit the official Canadian immigration website.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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How much is the Canada eTA fee?
To apply, you must have a valid passport from a visa-exempt country, a valid credit card and an email address. It costs $7 CAD to get an eTA and only takes a few minutes to apply. Approved eTAs are valid for up to five years.
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What documents are required for an eTA visa?
You need the passport you will travel with—not a photocopy or digital passport. access to your emails. You can choose from a variety of payment methods such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
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How quickly can I get an eTA for Canada?
In most cases, you will receive an email from us within minutes. However, some requests may need several days to process. If this is the case, we’ll email you within 72 hours.
