Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for Canada

Travelling to Canada by air may require an Electronic Travel Authorization, commonly known as an eTA. This guide explains what an eTA is, who may need one, and how to apply.

What is an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for Canada?

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for most visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to or transiting through Canada by air.

Unlike a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), which is required for citizens of visa-required countries, an eTA is electronically linked to your passport and is typically valid for up to five years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

There are some exemptions where an eTA will not be required. These include:

• Visitors arriving by land or sea.
• Those with permanent residency, however, will need to travel with their permanent resident card.
• Citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States.
• Travellers with a valid Canada visa.
• Passengers on a flight that, because of an emergency or other unforeseen circumstances, makes an unscheduled stop in Canada.

What is a visa-exempt Country?

Canada requires citizens of certain countries to apply for a visa to enter. However, many countries are visa-exempt, meaning that citizens can enter Canada without an official visa.

Some visa-required countries may be eligible to apply for an eTA

Citizens from some visa-required countries may be eligible to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA), instead of a visa, to travel to Canada by air.
You may be eligible to apply for an eTA if you meet all 3 of the following requirements:

• You either held a Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa) within the last 10 years or currently have a valid United States (US) non-immigrant visa.
• Your US non-immigrant visa must be valid on the date you apply for your eTA, although it does not need to remain valid when you travel to Canada.
• You are travelling to Canada for a temporary stay, typically for up to 6 months.

In addition, you must be flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport with a valid passport from one of the eligible visa-required countries.

If you do not meet all of these requirements, you must apply for a visitor visa (temporary resident visa) to travel to Canada.

Who needs an eTA to enter Canada?

The table below shows which countries require a visitor visa and which are eligible for an eTA. It also highlights visa-required countries whose citizens may still qualify to apply for an eTA under the circumstances explained above:

How much is the eTA fee?

As of June 2026,  eTA fee is CAD$7

Accepted payment methods include credit cards and debit cards.

How to Apply for an eTA ?

To complete your eTA application, you will need:

• A valid passport from an eTA-eligible or visa-exempt country.
• A valid email address.
• A valid payment method to pay the non-refundable CAD $7 fee, including:
  • Visa®, Mastercard®, or American Express®
  • Prepaid Visa®, Mastercard®, or American Express®
  • Visa Debit or Debit Mastercard
  • UnionPay®
  • JCB Card®

If you already hold a valid Canadian visitor visa, you may continue to use it until it expires.

Application Process

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

Have your passport and payment method ready before starting the application. It is also recommended to review the official instructions and help materials beforehand.

Step 2: Complete the Online Application Form

Submit your application through the online eTA form.

Important: The online form cannot be saved and completed later, so ensure you have all required information available before you begin.

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee

After completing the form, pay the CAD $7 processing fee online.

Step 4: Receive a Decision

Most eTA applications are approved within minutes. You will receive an email regarding the status of your application.

Step 5: Submit Additional Documents (If Requested)

In some cases, additional documents may be required before a decision can be made. If this applies to your application, you will receive instructions by email, typically within 72 hours of submitting your application.

To start your application process, visit the IRCC website.