Canada
Electronic travel authorization for Canada: documents, fees and steps
Tourism (short stay) · 53 nationalities · any residence · ordinary passport
Stay of up to 181 days · Verified on 7 October 2026
VisaGuideline helps you prepare your application. The decision belongs to the country’s authority: check the official page before paying or applying.
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Documents requested
Valid passport from a visa-exempt country or territory, used for the application and for travelConditions and details
The eTA is required of visa-exempt foreign nationals who arrive by air. It is linked electronically to the passport used for the application: the same passport must be presented at flight check-in, and a new passport requires a new eTA. The number to enter is the one at the top of the information page (the page with the photo); an incorrect number causes problems when boarding the plane.Online eTA application form, one person at a timeConditions and details
One can apply and pay for only one person at a time (a family of three completes and submits three forms). The information entered cannot be saved and the session is time-limited, with the possibility of extending it by a few minutes.Payment card accepted to pay the CAD 7 feeConditions and details
Accepted methods: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Visa, Mastercard or American Express prepaid cards, Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard, UnionPay or JCB. The fees are non-refundable and are paid right after the form.- Valid email addressRequired to complete the form; the response to the eTA application arrives by email.
Depending on your situation
- Supporting documents, if IRCC requests them after submissionSome applications require documents before approval: an email then provides the instructions within 72 hours, and processing may take several days.
On arrival, authorization letter and documents for a minor child travelling with youConditions and details
If the traveller has a child under 18 with them, they may have to show a letter from one or both parents or the legal guardian authorizing the trip, and other documents (adoption, custody) depending on whether the child travels alone. The questionnaire has no field about accompanying children.- On arrival, an invitation letter received from a person or a company, where applicableIf the traveller has received an invitation letter, they bring it with them: a border services officer may ask to see it.
Official fees
- eTA fee, per person (non-refundable) 7 CAD
Steps
- Check that the eTA is the right document: citizen of a visa-exempt country arriving by air; by land or sea, the eTA is generally not required.
- Prepare the passport, the payment card and read the help document before booking the trip.
- Read the final instructions according to the passport's country of issuance (passport number, country code), then open the official form.
- Fill in the online form for a single person and pay 7 CAD right after completing it.
- Receive the reply email (usually within a few minutes); if documents are requested, follow the instructions that you receive within 72 hours.
- Check that the passport number in the approval email matches the passport exactly; otherwise, submit a new application.
- Present at flight check-in the passport used for the application; no document to print.
- On arrival, convince the border services officer; they set the duration of stay, normally up to 6 months.
Where to apply
- Online eTA form of the Government of Canada, accessible from the official eTA page (the only site to use).
- Online tracking of the status of the ongoing application or eTA.
Good to know
- Receipt printed as soon as payment is madeThe receipt must be printed immediately: it cannot be printed later or sent again.
- eTA validityThe eTA is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first; it allows repeated short stays. A new passport requires a new eTA.
Land or sea routeConditions and details
An eTA is generally not required when arriving by car, coach, train or boat (including cruises); a valid passport is still required. Exception: arrival by boat from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, other than by cruise, requires an eTA.Permanent residents of the United StatesConditions and details
Since 26 April 2022, legal permanent residents of the United States are exempt from the eTA; they present a valid passport from their country of nationality and a valid green card (or equivalent proof of status) for any mode of travel.Entry requirementsConditions and details
An eTA does not guarantee entry. In particular, you must have a valid travel document, be in good health, have no criminal or immigration-related conviction, convince the officer of your ties and of your departure at the end of the visit, and have sufficient funds.- Neither work nor studyThe eTA does not allow you to work or study; most people need a work or study permit. Staying longer than permitted or working or studying without a permit may constitute fraud.
- TimeframeMost eTAs are approved within minutes, but some applications take several days: it is better to obtain the eTA before booking the trip.
Legal basis of the durationConditions and details
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations set the authorized period of stay for a temporary resident at six months or any other period fixed by an officer, starting from the day of entry.
Nationalities covered
This procedure applies to 53 nationalities.
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Papua New Guinea
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Vatican City
Official links
- Find out about electronic travel authorization (eTA) - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Important reminders – apply for an eTA - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Electronic travel authorization (eTA): How to apply - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Electronic travel authorization (eTA): About the process - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Electronic travel authorization (eTA): After you apply - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Electronic travel authorization (eTA): Who can apply - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (new tab) laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
- IRCC (Canada.ca) — What you need to enter Canada: entry requirements by country or territoryIRCC (Canada.ca) — What you need to enter Canada : exigences d’entrée par pays ou territoire (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Final instructions to apply for an eTA - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
- Electronic travel authorization (eTA) - Canada.ca (new tab) www.canada.ca
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