An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an air-travel pre-screening requirement for citizens from visa-exempt countries wanting to fly to or transit through Canada. Think of it as a digital visa for airmail only—it’s linked directly to your passport and valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first
Multiple entries are allowed.
Each visit can last up to 6 months
Entry is never guaranteed—final admission is determined by a Canada Border Services officer at arrival.
Who Needs an eTA — And Who Doesn’t
Needs an eTA:Passport holders from visa‑exempt countries traveling to or through Canada by air. Certain passport holders from visa-required countries who already have a valid U.S. visa or used to have a Canadian visa. They can apply for an eTA instead of a visitor visa if arriving by air only.
Exemptions (no eTA needed)U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents. Citizens of France from Saint Pierre and Miquelon traveling directly from there Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or holders of valid Canadian visas or permits
Airline crew,diplomats, certain transit program travellers, and others under specific conditions .
eTA Application Requirements
To complete an online eTA application, applicants need:
A valid passportfrom an eligible country
A credit/debit card(Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, UnionPay, JCB)
An email addressfor confirmation and updates.
Fee:CAD $7 (non-refundable)
How to Apply — The Step‑by‑Step
Gather your passport, payment card, and email .
Fill out the online form—it can't be saved mid-way, so have your data ready
Pay CAD $7 at the end of the form.
Wait for approval:Most are approved within minutes Some require extra documents, and processing may take up to several days.
Confirm that the passport number in the approval email matches your passport. If not, re-apply.
At the airport, your eTA will be verified electronically—no printout needed—by airline staff when you check in.
What You Can (and Cannot) Do
Allowed:Multiple short visits (up to 6 months each) ourism, visiting family/friends, business meetings, transit No need for a paper document—everything is linked to your passport
Not allowed:Working or studying—these require separate work or study permits Having an eTA doesn’t ensure entry—border control has the final say.
Recent Updates & Highlights
eTA has been in place since November 10, 2016, and continuously refined. The five-year validity rule is still in effect.
In early 2025, Canada reaffirmed that U.S. green card holders remain exempt .
Newer exceptions include certain visa-required nationals who, through past visas or U.S. status, now qualify for eTA when flying.
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