Passport Information
Your eTA is linked to the passport used in the application. The passport number in the approval email must match that passport exactly.
Travel to Canada
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Flying to Canada for a visit or transiting through a Canadian airport? Depending on your nationality, travel document and how you are travelling, you may need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) before you board. An eTA is an entry requirement electronically linked to the passport you use to apply.
01 What Is an eTA?
An electronic travel authorization (eTA) allows an eligible foreign national to travel to Canada by air or transit through a Canadian airport. It is electronically linked to the passport used to apply, so there is no separate document to print.
Boarding a Flight
Airline staff scan your passport to confirm that it has a valid eTA. Without the required eTA or visa, you may not be allowed to board your flight.
Admission Is a Separate Decision
An eTA does not guarantee entry. A Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) border services officer decides whether you may enter and how long you may remain when you arrive.
Separate Authorization May Be Required
An eTA does not authorize work or study. Most foreign nationals need a work permit to work or a study permit to complete a program at a designated learning institution.
How Long an eTA Is Valid
An eTA may be valid for up to five years or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first. A new passport requires a new eTA.
02 Do You Need an eTA or Visitor Visa?
The document you need depends on your nationality, passport and how you travel to Canada. You generally need either an eTA or a visitor visa, not both.
Visa-Exempt Foreign Nationals
You generally need an eTA and a valid passport to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. In most cases, you do not need an eTA when arriving by car, bus, train or boat, including a cruise ship, but you still need a valid passport.
Citizens of Certain Visa-Required Countries
You may qualify for an eTA instead of a visitor visa for air travel if you held a Canadian visitor visa within the past 10 years or currently hold a valid United States nonimmigrant visa, and you meet the other current conditions. A visitor visa is still required for arrival by land or sea.
Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents and Other Travellers
Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, cannot use an eTA and generally need a valid Canadian passport to travel to Canada by air. American-Canadian citizens may travel with a valid Canadian or U.S. passport. Canadian permanent residents need a valid permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document when travelling to Canada by commercial transportation. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are exempt from the eTA requirement, while other visa-required travellers generally need a visitor visa.
Visa and eTA eligibility can change. Use IRCC’s official checker before you apply or make travel arrangements.
Check Your Document03 What Are the Requirements?
To apply online, you need the passport you will use for travel, a valid email address and an accepted payment method. You must answer the application questions accurately and pay the non-refundable CAN$7 fee.
Temporary Visit
You must satisfy the requirements to enter Canada temporarily, including showing that you will leave at the end of your authorized stay and that you have enough money for your visit.
Admissibility
You must be admissible to Canada. Criminality, security, medical, financial, misrepresentation or non-compliance with immigration requirements may affect whether you can obtain an eTA or enter Canada.
04 How to Apply
Apply only through the official Government of Canada website. The usual steps are:
Confirm the Correct Travel Document
Use IRCC’s official checker to determine whether you need an eTA, visitor visa or another travel document for your passport and method of travel.
Complete the Online Form
Have your passport and email address ready. Enter the passport details carefully because the form cannot be saved and an approved eTA will be linked to that passport.
Pay the Application Fee
Pay the non-refundable CAN$7 fee using an accepted credit or debit card. Each traveller needs a separate application and payment.
Monitor Your Email
Most applications are approved within minutes, but some take longer. IRCC may email within 72 hours with instructions to provide documents or other information.
Verify Your Passport Number
Check that the passport number in the approval email is correct. Travel with that same passport; if the number is wrong or the passport changes, you need to apply for a new eTA.
05 Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need both an eTA and a visitor visa?+
No. You generally need one or the other, depending on your nationality, passport, travel history and method of travel. If you already hold a valid Canadian visitor visa, you can normally travel with it until it expires.
How long does it take to receive an eTA?+
Most applications are approved within minutes, but some may take several days if IRCC needs documents or further review. Apply before booking your flight rather than relying on last-minute approval.
Do I need to print my eTA approval?+
No. The eTA is electronically linked to your passport. Keep the approval email and verify that its passport number matches the passport you will present to the airline.
Do I need a new eTA if I renew my passport?+
Yes. Because the eTA is linked to the passport used in the application, a new passport requires a new eTA.
Does an eTA guarantee entry to Canada?+
No. An eTA allows you to travel to Canada by air and request entry. A CBSA border services officer decides whether you may enter and how long you may stay.
Will IRCC issue an eTA with my work or study permit?+
If you require an eTA and IRCC approves your work or study permit application, IRCC issues the eTA automatically. The eTA is for air travel; the permit is the document that authorizes the work or study.
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