Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Statutory definition
Section 11.1 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, SC 2001, c 27, provides for the eTA as a requirement for certain visa-exempt foreign nationals before boarding a flight to Canada. IRPR r 7.1 specifies who requires an eTA and the process for obtaining one.
Explanation
The eTA is an electronic pre-clearance system. It does not guarantee entry to Canada — admissibility is still assessed at the port of entry by a CBSA officer. The eTA is linked to the passport used to obtain it; a new eTA is required when the passport is renewed.
The eTA is required for visa-exempt nationals travelling by air, including citizens of the United Kingdom, European Union countries (post-Brexit), Australia, and other visa-exempt countries. It is not required for entry by land or sea, or for US citizens.
An eTA is valid for five years (or until passport expiry, whichever is earlier) and allows multiple entries. Each authorized stay is generally up to six months (or the period determined by a CBSA officer at entry).
How this term is used
The eTA application is submitted online through the IRCC website and is generally approved within minutes, though some applications may require additional processing. Airlines and other air transportation companies are required to verify eTA status before boarding — travellers without a valid eTA may be denied boarding.