Citizens of visa-exempt countries need an eTA when they fly to Canada for a short stay.
The eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is an electronic travel authorization linked to your passport. You need it when you fly to Canada or transit through a Canadian airport for tourism, business or a visit.
More about the eTA
Citizens of visa-exempt countries need an eTA to fly to or through Canada. If your passport is from a country whose citizens need a visa, you must apply for a visa instead. Lawful permanent residents of the United States (green card holders) have been exempt from the eTA since 26 April 2022; to fly to Canada they need a valid passport and a valid green card.
Check whether you need an eTA
BritishTo apply for an eTA you need:
You apply on the official Government of Canada website.
An eTA is only required when you arrive by air, including when you transit through a Canadian airport. If you enter Canada by car, bus, train or boat, you need a passport but not an eTA.
More about the entry rulesWhat travellers with a passport from a visa-exempt country should know: who needs to apply, how long the authorization is valid, which trips it covers, and answers to common questions.
Read the guide for visa-exempt travellers
When to submit your application and how long the eTA remains valid.
An eTA is valid for up to 5 years from the date it is issued and allows multiple entries to Canada. However, if your passport expires sooner than 5 years, the eTA expires with it. In that case, renew your passport first and apply for the eTA afterwards.
We recommend applying before you buy your plane ticket and well before departure. Most applications are approved within minutes, although in some cases (for example, when additional documents are requested) processing can take several days. Once approved, you will receive a confirmation email. The eTA is electronically linked to your passport, so you must travel to Canada with the same passport you used to apply.
Citizens of visa-exempt countries travelling to Canada by air must hold an eTA. This applies to tourism, business trips and transit. An eTA is not required when entering by land or sea.
The Canada eTA fee is CAD $7. The authorization is valid for 5 years from the date of issue (or until your passport expires) and allows multiple entries to Canada, each for a stay of up to 6 months.
The eTA is a simplified electronic authorization for short stays (up to 6 months) for citizens of visa-exempt countries. It costs CAD $7 and you apply online. A Canadian visa is required for citizens of other countries, and getting one is a more involved and more expensive process. To work in Canada, with either an eTA or a visa, in most cases you need a work permit.
Apply for your eTA on the official website and get a decision quickly.
