Founder and Principal Consultant
SAAB Case Complexity Index™
1.6 / 10
Straightforward
Usually not a complex application, but a low score is not advice to file it alone.
Most common reason these fail: Answering the background questions carelessly, or applying on a copycat website.
How we scored this
Forms and evidence
Officer discretion
Refusal exposure
Deadline pressure
Cost of getting it wrong
Each of the five factors is scored 1 to 5. They are weighted, because they do not matter equally, and the weighted result is then spread across a 1 to 10 scale. General information, not legal advice.
Prepared properly, these are usually approved. That still means reading the rules against your own facts and being straight about where the file is weak. Handled wrongly, even a simple application gets refused. If anything concerns you, book a consultation. See the full SAAB Case Complexity Index™
What this page covers
- Who can use an eTA, and who cannot?
- What is the Mexico rule, and why do most websites get it wrong?
- Where do eTA applications go wrong?
- How do you apply, step by step?
- Frequently asked questions
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 TravelersRequired for travelers from visa-exempt countries.
-
Electronic ProcessSimple online application process.
-
Multiple EntriesValid 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
IRCC Processing Time
Visitor Visa (TRV) from outside Canada
32 days
Current IRCC processing time for Visitor Visa (TRV) from outside Canada from India is 32 days.
As per IRCC, last updated 2026-11-07 00:38:10, refreshed weekly
Processing times for all countries
| Country of application | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 33 days |
| Albania | 46 days |
| Algeria | 19 days |
| Andorra | No processing time available |
| Angola | 228 days |
| Anguilla | No processing time available |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 20 days |
| Argentina | 19 days |
| Armenia | 28 days |
| Aruba | No processing time available |
| Australia | 9 days |
| Austria | 38 days |
| Azerbaijan | 57 days |
| Bahamas | 46 days |
| Bahrain | 59 days |
| Bangladesh | 31 days |
| Barbados | 14 days |
| Belarus | 15 days |
| Belgium | 36 days |
| Belize | 16 days |
| Benin | 91 days |
| Bermuda | 37 days |
| Bhutan | No processing time available |
| Bolivia | 26 days |
| Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba | No processing time available |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 35 days |
| Botswana | 479 days |
| Brazil | 25 days |
| British Indian Ocean Territory | No processing time available |
| Brunei | No processing time available |
| Bulgaria | 38 days |
| Burkina Faso | 35 days |
| Burma (Myanmar) | 42 days |
| Burundi | 88 days |
| Cambodia | 42 days |
| Cameroon | 43 days |
| Cabo Verde | No processing time available |
| Cayman Islands | 44 days |
| Central African Republic | No processing time available |
| Chad | 112 days |
| Chile | 18 days |
| China (People's Republic of) | 51 days |
| Colombia | 15 days |
| Comoros Island | No processing time available |
| Congo (Republic of) | 35 days |
| Costa Rica | 20 days |
| Côte d’Ivoire | 33 days |
| Croatia | 23 days |
| Cuba | 22 days |
| Cyprus | 36 days |
| Czech Republic | 42 days |
| Democratic Republic of Congo | No processing time available |
| Denmark | 56 days |
| Djibouti | 113 days |
| Dominica | 15 days |
| Dominican Republic | 26 days |
| Ecuador | 26 days |
| Egypt | 56 days |
| El Salvador | 24 days |
| Equatorial Guinea | 115 days |
| Eritrea | 137 days |
| Estonia | 15 days |
| Ethiopia | 131 days |
| Fiji | 9 days |
| Finland | 18 days |
| France | 35 days |
| Gabon | 48 days |
| Gambia | 60 days |
| Georgia | 83 days |
| Germany | 39 days |
| Ghana | 77 days |
| Greece | 41 days |
| Grenada | 18 days |
| Greenland | No processing time available |
| Guatemala | 22 days |
| Guinea | 71 days |
| Guinea-Bissau | No processing time available |
| Guyana | 16 days |
| Haiti | 26 days |
| Holy See (Vatican City) | No processing time available |
| Honduras | 25 days |
| Hong Kong | 23 days |
| Hungary | 42 days |
| Iceland | 79 days |
| India | 32 days |
| Indonesia | 25 days |
| Iran | 76 days |
| Iraq | 68 days |
| Ireland | 21 days |
| Israel | 30 days |
| Italy | 41 days |
| Jamaica | 41 days |
| Japan | 54 days |
| Jordan | 55 days |
| Kazakhstan | 25 days |
| Kenya | 121 days |
| Kiribati | No processing time available |
| Kosovo | 45 days |
| Kuwait | 62 days |
| Kyrgyzstan | 14 days |
| Laos | 42 days |
| Latvia | 27 days |
| Lebanon | 45 days |
| Lesotho | 84 days |
| Liberia | 105 days |
| Libya | 32 days |
| Liechtenstein | No processing time available |
| Lithuania | 22 days |
| Luxembourg | 37 days |
| Macao | 21 days |
| North Macedonia | 39 days |
| Madagascar | 91 days |
| Malawi | 148 days |
| Malaysia | 21 days |
| Maldives | No processing time available |
| Mali | 65 days |
| Malta | 34 days |
| Marshall Islands | No processing time available |
| Martinique | No processing time available |
| Mauritania | 93 days |
| Mauritius | 91 days |
| Mexico | 14 days |
| Micronesia (Federated States of) | No processing time available |
| Moldova | 47 days |
| Monaco | No processing time available |
| Mongolia | 26 days |
| Montenegro | 36 days |
| Morocco | 27 days |
| Mozambique | 389 days |
| Namibia | 228 days |
| Nauru | No processing time available |
| Nepal | 42 days |
| Netherlands | 32 days |
| New Caledonia | No processing time available |
| New Zealand | 9 days |
| Nicaragua | 21 days |
| Niger | 81 days |
| Nigeria | 103 days |
| Korea (Democratic People's Republic of, North) | No processing time available |
| Norway | 41 days |
| Oman | 58 days |
| Pakistan | 58 days |
| Palestinian Authority | 1 days |
| West Bank | 1 days |
| Panama | 27 days |
| Papua New Guinea | No processing time available |
| Paraguay | 20 days |
| Peru | 27 days |
| Philippines | 24 days |
| Poland | 23 days |
| Portugal | 35 days |
| Puerto Rico | No processing time available |
| Qatar | 59 days |
| Romania | 36 days |
| Russia | 35 days |
| Rwanda | 62 days |
| Saint Lucia | 18 days |
| Samoa | No processing time available |
| San Marino | No processing time available |
| Sao Tome and Principe | No processing time available |
| Saudi Arabia | 41 days |
| Senegal | 64 days |
| Serbia | 41 days |
| Seychelles | No processing time available |
| Sierra Leone | 105 days |
| Singapore | 21 days |
| Slovakia | 25 days |
| Slovenia | No processing time available |
| Solomon Islands | No processing time available |
| Somalia | 113 days |
| South Africa | 155 days |
| Korea (Republic of, South) | 56 days |
| South Sudan | No processing time available |
| Spain | 34 days |
| Sri Lanka | 31 days |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 25 days |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 20 days |
| Sudan | 70 days |
| Suriname | 19 days |
| Eswatini | 139 days |
| Sweden | 49 days |
| Switzerland | 37 days |
| Syria | 89 days |
| French Polynesia | No processing time available |
| Taiwan | 49 days |
| Tajikistan | 16 days |
| Tanzania | 56 days |
| Thailand | 40 days |
| Timor-Leste | No processing time available |
| Togo | 106 days |
| Tonga | No processing time available |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 18 days |
| Tunisia | 34 days |
| Turkey | 56 days |
| Turkmenistan | No processing time available |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | 39 days |
| Tuvalu | No processing time available |
| Uganda | No processing time available |
| Ukraine | 28 days |
| United Arab Emirates | 53 days |
| United Kingdom | 23 days |
| United States | 18 days |
| Uruguay | 15 days |
| Virgin Islands (U.S.) | No processing time available |
| Uzbekistan | 31 days |
| Vanuatu | No processing time available |
| Venezuela | 28 days |
| Vietnam | 39 days |
| Yemen | 51 days |
| Zambia | 329 days |
| Zimbabwe | 224 days |
| lastupdated | November 4, 2026 |
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 carefullyhaving 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.
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.
Who Will Be Working on Your File
Related Pages
Other pages on this site that deal with closely connected questions.