An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a mandatory entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to Canada or transit through a Canadian airport. An eTA is electronically linked to the holder's passport and is issued by IRCC. It does not appear as a stamp or label in the passport — it exists only as an electronic record tied to the passport number.

An eTA is not a visa — it is a pre-screening authorisation. It allows the holder to board a flight to Canada but does not guarantee entry. A border services officer still retains the discretion to examine and, if warranted, refuse entry at the port of entry.

• IRPA s 11.1 — the authority for requiring electronic travel authorisation as a condition of boarding a flight to Canada
• IRPR regs 12.01–12.05 — the regulations prescribing the eTA requirement and the categories of persons exempt from it
• Current fee and application: canada.ca/eta

Who needs an eTA?

Visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada must hold a valid eTA before they can board their flight. Visa-exempt countries include the United Kingdom, Australia, most European Union member states, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and many others. The complete list of visa-exempt countries is published at canada.ca.

Who does NOT need an eTA?

• US citizens: American citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement (though they must carry valid US identification)
• Canadian citizens (including dual citizens): Canadian citizens must use a Canadian passport to board a flight to Canada — they are not subject to the eTA
• Permanent residents of Canada: PRs must carry their PR card (or a PRTD) when travelling by air to Canada — no eTA required
• Persons arriving by land or sea: The eTA requirement applies only to air travel. Travellers arriving by car, bus, train, boat, or cruise ship do not need an eTA (though they must still meet the standard entry requirements for Canada)
• Persons with a valid Canadian TRV: Persons who hold a valid Canadian Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) do not also need an eTA for air travel
• Certain visa-required nationals: Citizens of some countries that would otherwise require a TRV may be eligible to apply for an eTA instead of a TRV under a specific public policy — see the IRCC page on eTA for citizens from some visa-required countries

Validity and travel

A granted eTA is valid for 5 years from the date of grant, or until the linked passport expires — whichever comes first. During the validity period, the holder may fly to Canada for multiple trips. Each entry is still subject to examination at the port of entry by a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer, who determines the actual length of authorised stay.

A new eTA is required if the holder obtains a new passport (since the eTA is linked to the specific passport number).

How to apply

Applications are made online through the IRCC website. The application requires the applicant's passport, a credit card for payment, and an email address. Most applicants receive approval within minutes. Some applications require further review and may take several days. The current fee and application form are at canada.ca/eta/apply.

eTA vs. Temporary Resident Visa

An eTA is not the same as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV, also called a "visitor visa"):

• A TRV is required for nationals of countries that are not visa-exempt. It is a physical or electronic document in the passport and must be obtained before travelling to Canada.
• An eTA is for visa-exempt nationals only — it is a lighter-touch pre-screening mechanism with a shorter application process and lower fee than a TRV.
• Persons who require a TRV and an eTA only need the TRV — the TRV requirement supersedes the eTA requirement for those nationals.

The eTA is airline-enforced — airlines are required to check for a valid eTA before allowing a visa-exempt passenger to board a flight to Canada. A passenger without a valid eTA will typically be denied boarding, even if they would otherwise be admissible to Canada.

Persons who had a previous Canadian TRV, who were previously refused entry to Canada, or who have a criminal record may find their eTA application requires additional review. Some applicants will be asked to provide additional documentation before a decision is made. In some cases, an eTA will be refused — the applicant would then need to apply for a TRV through the standard process if they wish to travel to Canada.