A Canadian eTA is a travel authorisation linked to your passport, not a visitor visa. Before applying, check your nationality, immigration status and how you will enter Canada. This ETA Visa guide provides a preparation routine and links to the Canadian government’s instructions.
Who should check the Canadian eTA route?
Citizens of eTA-required countries generally need an eTA for flights to Canada. Some nationals of selected visa-required countries may also qualify for air travel under specific conditions. Other travellers may need a visitor visa or be exempt. Use Canada’s official eligibility guidance rather than assuming that everyone in a family needs the same permission.
US citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement. US lawful permanent residents are also exempt but must carry the specified passport and proof of US status. Canadian citizens and permanent residents have their own travel-document requirements. Check the instructions for your actual status, including any previous Canadian permanent residence.
Write down the nationality of the passport you intend to use and your current immigration status before following an application link. Keeping those two facts separate can help you identify the correct official instructions.
Does arriving by land or sea change the answer?
Yes. Air travel rules do not automatically apply to a road trip or cruise. The official eligibility page distinguishes eTA-required nationals from selected visa-required nationals and includes exceptions. Check your precise journey, including transit and the border crossing method, before deciding what to obtain.
For a multi-country trip, make a separate entry-requirement note for each destination and each border crossing. Our worldwide coverage catalogue is an information starting point, not confirmation that ETA Visa handles applications for a destination.
What should I prepare for an eTA application?
The official Canadian application page explains the passport, email and accepted payment requirements. The government eTA fee is CAN$7 as reviewed on 6 November 2026. Read the linked help document before starting: the online form cannot be saved.
Choose a time when you can complete the questions carefully, keep your original passport beside you and confirm that you can access your email. Avoid opening an application merely to discover which information you have not yet checked. Our guide to organising visa documents offers a simple way to separate ready information from items still needing review.
Can I assume an immediate decision?
No. Canada says many eTA applications are approved within minutes, but some take longer and may require documents. Its process overview recommends applying before booking travel. A typical processing description is not a promise for your case.
Keep a record of when you applied and read any follow-up instructions before responding. Receiving an application email does not necessarily mean an authorisation has been granted. Check the message’s actual purpose before treating it as approval.
What should I check after approval?
Compare the passport number in the approval email with your passport. Canada’s after-application guidance says an incorrect number means applying again. Travel with the passport linked to the eTA. The process overview explains that an eTA normally lasts up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever is earlier; a new passport requires a new eTA.
An eTA does not guarantee admission. Keep authorisation, airline check-in and the border decision as separate stages in your travel plan.
Does a UK ETA cover Canada too?
No. Canada’s eTA, the UK’s ETA and the US ESTA are separate destination-specific systems. Similar names do not make them interchangeable. If your trip also includes Britain, read our UK ETA preparation guide and check that route independently.
ETA Visa currently provides public preparation information. We do not currently accept passport uploads or submit Canadian applications. Apply through the official Canadian service when ready, and do not email sensitive documents to us.
Published by ETA Visa on 6 November 2026. Official Canadian government sources reviewed on 6 November 2026: eTA eligibility, application instructions, process overview and after-application guidance linked above. General preparation information; confirm current requirements for your nationality, status and journey.