Canada eTA Information
Reference document covering the scope, eligibility, validity, and application of the Canada Electronic Travel Authorization. This guidance is provided for general information; applicants should consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for authoritative interpretation.
Overview of the eTA
The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is Canada's pre-travel screening scheme for nationals of visa-exempt countries arriving by air. It was introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2016 to strengthen border security and to bring Canadian policy in line with comparable schemes operated by Australia, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States.
An eTA is not a visa. It does not grant the right to enter Canada; it grants permission to board a Canada-bound flight, where final admission is determined by a Canada Border Services Agency officer at the port of entry.
The authorization is digital, electronically linked to the holder's passport. No physical document is issued. Travellers receive an email confirmation following approval, which should be retained for reference but is not required to be presented at the border.
Validity & Permitted Use
| Validity Period | Five years from date of issue, or until passport expiry — whichever occurs first |
| Number of Entries | Unlimited during validity period |
| Maximum Stay per Entry | Up to six months |
| Modes of Travel | Air only |
| Issuing Authority | Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) |
Permitted Activities
- Tourism and visits to family or friends
- Business meetings, conferences, and short-term work-related activities not constituting employment in Canada
- Transit through a Canadian airport en route to a third country
- Short courses of study not exceeding six months in duration
Activities Not Permitted
The eTA does not authorise paid employment in Canada, courses of study exceeding six months, or permanent residence. Travellers intending to undertake these activities must apply for the appropriate work permit, study permit, or visa category before travel.
Eligible Nationalities
The Electronic Travel Authorization is available to nationals of the following countries. Citizens of countries outside this list require a Temporary Resident Visa or another visa category rather than an eTA.
Exemptions: Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, must travel on a Canadian passport and do not require an eTA. United States citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement entirely. Lawful permanent residents of the United States must present a valid Green Card alongside their passport but do not require an eTA.
Documents & Requirements
To complete an eTA application, the applicant must hold the following at the time of submission:
- A valid passport from one of the eligible nationalities listed in Section 3. The passport must remain valid throughout the intended stay in Canada.
- A current email address capable of receiving electronic correspondence.
- A debit or credit card to pay the application fee.
- Applicants under the age of 18 must be supported by an application submitted by a parent, legal guardian, or authorised representative. Group applications are not currently supported; each traveller must submit an individual application.
Applicants under the age of 18 must be supported by an application submitted by a parent, legal guardian, or authorised representative. Group applications are not currently supported; each traveller must submit an individual application.
Application Process
The standard process consists of three stages:
- Form completion. The applicant provides biographic details, passport information, contact information, and answers a short series of declarations.
- Verification and submission. Where the application is lodged through Service eVisa, a caseworker reviews the form for completeness and consistency before submitting it to IRCC.
- Decision. IRCC issues a decision typically within minutes of submission. Some applications may take several business days where additional information is required. The outcome is sent by email to the address provided in the application.
Tracking an Application
Applicants may check the status of a submitted application at any time using the reference number provided in the acknowledgement email. Status enquiries may also be directed to the Service eVisa support team.
Fees & Service Charges
| IRCC Government Fee | CAD $7 per applicant (non-refundable) |
| Service eVisa Standard Fee | From USD $42 per applicant |
| Payment Methods Accepted | Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover |
| Currency | Pricing is in USD; equivalent amounts in CAD, GBP, and EUR shown at checkout |
Service eVisa fees include caseworker review, free corrections to any field prior to submission, multilingual support, and document recovery in the event of loss. Government fees are paid in full to IRCC and are clearly itemised on the payment page.
Refusal & Appeals
IRCC may refuse an eTA application if the applicant does not meet the eligibility criteria, has previously breached Canadian immigration rules, has a criminal record (including for offences that may not be considered crimes in the applicant's home country), or has provided information that conflicts with records held by other authorities.
Where an application is refused, IRCC will provide a written explanation by email. There is no formal right of appeal against an eTA refusal; however, the applicant may:
- Submit a new eTA application addressing the reasons for the previous refusal.
- Apply for a Temporary Resident Visa, which involves a more detailed assessment and a separate fee.
- Apply for criminal rehabilitation, where the refusal relates to a criminal record.
Where an application submitted through Service eVisa is refused, the service fee is refundable in full, provided the information supplied by the applicant was accurate. The government fee is non-refundable in all cases.