What is an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)?
Some visitors to Canada are exempt from visas because of their nationality, the documents they hold, or their purpose of visiting Canada. For example, if you are a US citizen and intend to visit family members or tourist attractions in Canada, you do not need a visa. You enter Canada with your US passport. A Border Services Officer (BSO) usually allows you to stay in Canada for up to six months. The Government of Canada has made some significant changes to the visa-exemption program. Most visa-exempt people need to apply for an eTA or an electronic Travel Authorization if they travel by air to Canada or transit via Canada to another country. The changes came into effect on March 15, 2016. US citizens do not need an eTA to go to Canada, but almost all other nationalities are not exempt from an eTA. However, US permanent residents such as Green Card holders need an eTA for air travel to Canada.
If you are a dual citizen of Canada, you do not need an eTA, but you need to prove you are a Canadian citizen. The easiest way to prove your citizenship is to hold a Canadian passport.
If you need a visa to travel to Canada, then you do not need an eTA. You have to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) instead.
If you intend to work or study in Canada, then an eTA is not sufficient. You may also need to apply for a work permit or a study permit.
The process of applying for an eTA is relatively easy. You need to fill out an online form on the IRCC website and pay the processing fee. The current processing fee is $7.00 (Canadian funds) per applicant. You need to apply separately for every family member who intends to accompany you to Canada unless they are exempt from an eTA. If you get lucky, you will receive your eTA in a few minutes. Some people may receive an email from IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) requesting documents. These applications may take several days or even weeks to complete, so plan. Also, keep in mind that IRCC maintains the right to refuse some eTA applications.
If you find submitting your personal information to a foreign government concerning, you may consider hiring an authorized representative such as a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).
If you already hold an eTA click here to see if it is still valid.
If you are interested in visiting or immigrating to Canada, please complete our free assessment form.
There is no fee for this assessment. We will review your information and contact you if we identify a suitable immigration pathway or other meaningful option for you.
If you would prefer direct advice about your specific situation, you may book a consultation session. This is a paid service and includes formal immigration advice from a licensed Canadian immigration practitioner.
Al Parsai, LLM, MA, RCIC-IRB
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Adjunct Professor, Queen’s University Faculty of Law
Instructor, Ashton College, Immigration Consulting Program
Author of 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada and Inadmissibility to Canada for Human Rights Violations
Complete Our Free Canada Immigration Assessment Form in Your Language: