Canada eTA: Electronic Travel Authorization for Visa-Exempt Travelers

An eTA is an electronic travel authorization. It is not a visa. It is a quick pre-screening check that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) runs before you board a flight to Canada. The eTA is linked electronically to your passport, so there is nothing to print or stick in your passport.

You need an eTA if you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country and you:

• Fly to Canada, or
• Transit through a Canadian airport on the way to another country

You don't need an eTA if you enter Canada by car, bus, train, or boat, including a cruise ship. You still need a valid passport.

An eTA lets you board your flight. When you land, a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer still decides whether you can enter and how long you can stay. Most visitors can stay up to 6 months.

Dual Canadian citizens cannot use a foreign passport and an eTA to fly to Canada. The one common exception is Canadian-American dual citizens, who can travel with a valid US passport. See dual citizenship.

Yes, in some cases. Canada lets citizens of certain visa-required countries apply for an eTA instead of a visa if they are flying and meet extra conditions. In general you must either:

• Have held a Canadian visitor visa in the last 10 years, or
• Hold a valid US nonimmigrant visa

This applies only when you travel by air. If you arrive by land or sea, you still need a visitor visa.

Mexico is a special case. Since February 29, 2024, most Mexican citizens need a visitor visa. Mexican citizens can still get an eTA to fly to Canada if they meet the conditions above. The list of eligible countries changes, so confirm your country on the IRCC eTA pages before you apply.

The eTA costs CAD $7 as of September 2026. You pay online by credit or debit card.

It is valid for up to 5 years, or until the passport you used expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need a new eTA. You can take as many trips as you like while it is valid.

Watch out for unofficial sites. Many websites look official and charge much more than $7 to "help" you apply. Only apply through the Government of Canada website. Read our guide on immigration scams.

Yes, if you are from a visa-exempt country and your flight connects through a Canadian airport, you need an eTA even if you never leave the airport. Airlines check for a valid eTA before you board.

If you are from a visa-required country, you usually need a transit visa to connect through Canada. There is no fee for a transit visa, and it covers stays of 48 hours or less. Some travelers qualify for programs that let them transit without a visa if they hold a valid US visa and fly on approved routes. Check the IRCC transit rules for your route before you book.

• Typing the wrong passport number. The most common problem. If the number is wrong, the airline may not let you board. Check it against your passport before you pay. If you made a mistake, apply for a new eTA.
• Using an old passport. If you renewed your passport after getting the eTA, the old eTA does not carry over.
• Paying a third-party website. Only the Government of Canada site charges the official CAD $7.
• Answering background questions carelessly. Questions about past refusals, criminal convictions, and health must be answered truthfully. A false answer can be treated as misrepresentation, which can lead to a 5-year ban on entering Canada.
• Applying at the airport. Apply as soon as you plan your trip, not on the day you fly.

Most applicants get approval by email within minutes. Some applications take several days, and IRCC may email you asking for more documents or a medical exam. Apply before you book your flight.

An eTA can be refused if IRCC finds you may be inadmissible, for example because of a criminal record, a health issue, or past immigration violations. If you are refused, you can't simply reapply with the same facts and expect a different result. If you have a criminal record, including a conviction for impaired driving, read our guide to inadmissibility and talk to a lawyer or a licensed consultant (RCIC) before you travel. Some people need a temporary resident permit.

The eTA only covers travel as a visitor. It does not let you work or study longer than 6 months. If you are coming with a work or study permit approval, IRCC issues an eTA automatically with your permit approval if you are from a visa-exempt country.

If you want to stay longer than the border officer allowed, apply to extend your status before it expires.