Canada eTA Required for Travelers Flying to Canada
Mandatory for visa-exempt air travelers
Visa-exempt nationals flying to Canada must obtain an approved eTA before boarding their flight. US citizens are exempt. Complete the application online in minutes and receive an email confirmation linked to your passport.
What is the Canada eTA?
The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a mandatory entry clearance for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to Canada. It is electronically linked to your passport and verified by the airline before boarding. Travelers without a valid eTA will not be permitted to board their flight.
The application is fully online and typically takes a few minutes. You will be asked for passport details, basic travel information, and a short set of background questions (immigration, health, criminal history). Once reviewed, you receive a decision by email — most approvals arrive within 48 hours.
Who Needs a Canada eTA?
- Tourism – Leisure travel, sightseeing, or visiting friends and family
- Business – Short-term meetings, conferences, or client visits
- Short Study Programs – Academic courses or training programs under six months
- Transit – Stopping in Canada while flying to a final international destination
Every visa-exempt traveler — including infants and minors — needs their own eTA. You do not need an eTA if you are a Canadian citizen, a Canadian permanent resident, a U.S. citizen, or a U.S. lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder).
Eligibility & Validity
Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) – Visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to Canada must obtain an approved eTA before boarding. The eTA is digital, electronically linked to your passport, and required in addition to a valid passport from a visa-exempt country.
Once approved, the eTA is valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. It allows multiple visits to Canada of up to 6 months per stay. The approval is delivered by email and electronically linked to the passport used in the application; no printout is required at check-in.
Fees & Processing
Our processing fee is transparently displayed prior to checkout.
Canada eTA Checker
Check if your passport may require an eTA before flying to Canada.
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
UK
Brunei
Bulgaria
Chile
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
S. Korea
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Papua NG
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Samoa
San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Is.
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
UAE
VaticanWho Needs a Canada eTA?
Since 2016, visa-exempt foreign nationals must obtain an approved eTA before boarding a flight to Canada. This applies whether you are visiting for tourism, business, short-term study, or a connecting flight through a Canadian airport. Every traveler, including minors and infants, needs their own eTA linked to the passport they will travel with.
You do not need an eTA if you already hold a valid Canadian visa, are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or are a U.S. citizen. U.S. Green Card holders flying to Canada do require an eTA. After approval, your eTA is automatically linked to your passport — no printed copy is needed.
Canada eTA Requirements
To apply for a Canada eTA you will need:
Valid Passport
A valid passport issued by a visa-exempt country. The eTA is electronically tied to this passport and cannot be transferred if your passport is replaced — a new eTA must be obtained.
Travel & Background Details
Basic personal information and answers to a short set of background questions about your immigration, health, and criminal history, as required by Canadian immigration authorities (IRCC).
Payment Method
A valid credit or debit card to pay. Apple Pay, Google Pay and international payments are also accepted.
Email Address
A working email address to receive your eTA decision and confirmation. Status updates and the final approval are sent here. Approvals are linked to your passport electronically — no printout is required.
How to Apply for the Canada eTA
Applying for a Canada eTA is a fully online process and typically takes only a few minutes.
Verify Eligibility
Make sure your passport is from a visa-exempt country and that you will be entering Canada by air. Citizens of visa-required countries should apply for a visa instead.
Fill Out The Application
Enter your passport details, answer the background questions, and pay securely. All information must match your passport exactly — even small differences will trigger a rejection or manual review.
Get Your eTA By Email
Most applicants receive their approved eTA within 48 hours. The approval is linked automatically to your passport, so no printed document is required at the airport.
eTA Application Submission
Standard Processing
“Most eTA applications receive a decision within minutes; some take up to 72 hours when additional review is needed.
You can apply as soon as you have a passport and plan to travel — the eTA stays valid for up to 5 years.”
Possible Factors for Delay
-
Additional Screening
Some applications require manual review due to background or security checks. You may be asked to submit supporting documents. -
High Application Volume
Processing times may be slower during peak travel periods. -
Incomplete or Incorrect Info
Missing or inconsistent details may delay your decision or trigger a refusal. Common errors include mismatched names and incorrect passport numbers.
If further details or documents are required, you will be contacted by email.
Canada eTA Decision
Once IRCC reviews your application, the decision is delivered by email. If approved, the eTA is issued electronically and automatically linked to your passport — no physical document is needed. The eTA remains valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires, and allows multiple visits of up to 6 months each.
If approved, your eTA is electronically linked to your passport. You only need to travel with the same passport you used to apply — airline systems verify the eTA automatically at check-in.
Ready to Apply for Your Canada eTA?
Complete your Canada eTA application online in just a few minutes. Follow the secure process below to get started.