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Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

SAAB Immigration Services Inc. | Immigration Experts for Canada   →  Visa   →  Visit Canada temporarily   →  Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) | SAAB Immigration Services, RCIC R536007
What this page covers

The eTA is not a visa and it is not interchangeable with one. Read the eligibility section before you pay for anything, because applying under the wrong document is the most common and most expensive mistake here.

Overview

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a mandatory entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air. It is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

Key Points

  • Mandatory for Visa-Exempt Travelers
    Required for travelers from visa-exempt countries.
  • Electronic Process
    Simple online application process.
  • Multiple Entries
    Valid for multiple entries over five years or until passport expiration.

Tips
  • Apply Early: Apply for your eTA well before your travel date to avoid any last-minute issues.
  • Double-Check Information: Ensure all information entered during the application process is accurate to prevent delays.
  • Keep a Copy: Print or save a copy of your eTA approval for your records and carry it with you when you travel.

Who Can Use an eTA, and Who Cannot

An Electronic Travel Authorization is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or transiting through Canada. It is electronically linked to your passport, is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, and costs $7. It is not a visa and it does not guarantee entry: a border services officer still decides admissibility on arrival.

When an eTA Applies:

  • You are a citizen of a visa-exempt country and you are travelling to Canada by air
  • You are transiting through a Canadian airport, even without leaving the airport
  • You hold a valid Canadian permanent resident card, in which case you travel on that rather than an eTA
  • You are a lawful permanent resident of the United States, who needs an eTA to fly to Canada

When an eTA Does Not Apply:

  • You are arriving by car, bus, train or boat, including cruise ships, where no eTA is required but the applicable entry documents are
  • You are a citizen of a visa-required country, in which case you need a visitor visa
  • You hold Canadian citizenship, including dual citizens, who require a Canadian passport to fly
  • You are a United States citizen, who does not require an eTA

The Mexico Rule That Most Websites Still Get Wrong

This is the single most common error we see repeated online, and it strands travellers at check-in. Mexico is a visa-required country. Effective 11:30 p.m. Eastern on 29 February 2024, Canada reimposed the visa requirement on Mexican citizens.

A Mexican Citizen May Use an eTA Only If All of These Are True:

  • They are travelling to Canada by air, or transiting a Canadian airport, on a valid Mexican passport
  • They are visiting temporarily, normally for up to six months
  • They either hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa, or have held a Canadian visitor visa in the past ten years
  • Note carefully
    having held an eTA in the past ten years does not count as having held a Canadian visitor visa

Arriving by car, bus, train or boat requires a visitor visa regardless of eTA eligibility. Mexican citizens also cannot apply for a work or study permit at a Canadian airport, even holding an eTA issued after February 2024. Separately, Qatar was added to the eTA program on 25 November 2025, so Qatari citizens now have full eTA eligibility for air travel.

Where eTA Applications Go Wrong

Most eTA approvals arrive within minutes. The ones that do not are usually held for a reason that was foreseeable, and a refused eTA is a far more difficult problem to solve than a carefully prepared first application.

Common Causes of Delay or Refusal:

  • A passport number entered incorrectly, since the eTA is linked to the specific passport and does not transfer to a renewed one
  • A previous refusal, removal or overstay in Canada or another country, which requires disclosure
  • A criminal record, including impaired driving, which can render a person inadmissible regardless of eTA status
  • A medical condition or previous immigration history that triggers a manual review
  • Applying through an unofficial third-party website that charges a markup and introduces errors

Since 31 January 2025 IRCC and CBSA officers have had the authority to cancel an eTA, visitor visa, work permit or study permit on a case-by-case basis. If you have any history of refusal or inadmissibility, it is worth resolving that properly rather than hoping an eTA passes unnoticed.

Not Certain Whether You Qualify Under the Current Electronic Travel Authorization Rules?

Eligibility in this area rests on details that are easy to read past and expensive to get wrong. SAAB Immigration Services Inc. offers a complimentary ten minute consultation to assess your circumstances properly before you commit time or money to an application. There is no obligation.

Ask us to take a look

Application Process

Check Visa Requirements

1. Determine Eligibility

Check if your country of citizenship is visa-exempt and requires an eTA for air travel to Canada.

Essential Documents

2. Gather Documents

  • Passport: Must be valid for the duration of your stay.
  • Credit Card: For paying the eTA application fee.
  • Email Address: To receive updates and notifications.

3. Submit Application

  • Online: Apply through the official Government of Canada eTA application portal.
  • Personal Information: Enter your passport details and personal information.
  • Answer Questions: Provide responses to background and eligibility questions.

4. Pay the fee

Pay the eTA processing fee using a credit or debit card.

5. Wait for Processing

Most eTA applications are approved within minutes, but some may take longer if additional documentation or information is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need at eTA to travel to Canada?
Citizens from the following countries require an eTA to visit Canada:
  • Andorra
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belgium
  • British citizen
  • British National (Overseas)
  • British overseas citizen (re-admissible to the United Kingdom)
  • British overseas territory citizen with citizenship through birth, descent, naturalization or registration in one of the British overseas territories of:
    • Anguilla
    • Bermuda
    • British Virgin Islands
    • Cayman Islands
    • Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
    • Gibraltar
    • Montserrat
    • Pitcairn Island
    • Saint Helena
    • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • British Subject with a right of abode in the United Kingdom
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Bulgaria
  • Chile
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, must have a passport issued by Hong Kong SAR.
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Israel, must have a national Israeli passport
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Republic of Korea
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania (electronic passport holders only)
  • Samoa
  • San Marino
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan, must have an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes the personal identification number
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Vatican City State, must have a passport or travel document issued by the Vatican.
Can I apply for an eTA if I am traveling by land or sea?
No, an eTA is only required for air travel. If you are traveling by land or sea, you don't need an eTA.
Can I apply for an eTA if my passport is about to expire?
It is recommended to renew your passport before applying for an eTA, as the eTA will only be valid until your passport expires.
How long is an eTA valid for?
An eTA is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

Speak With a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant About Electronic Travel Authorization

We act for clients across Canada and internationally, and we will tell you honestly where a matter is strong, where it is not, and when waiting or reapplying is the better course. A consultation gives you a documented assessment you can act on rather than a general impression.

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Related Pages

Other pages on this site that deal with closely connected questions.

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