Canada Visa Online Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Canada eTA?
Starting from August 2015, Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is required for travelers visiting Canada for business, transit or tourism visits. There are about 57 countries that are allowed travel to Canada without a paper visa, these are called Visa-Free or Visa-Exempt. Citizens from these countries can travel/visit Canada for periods of up to 6 months on an eTA.
Some of these countries include the United Kingdom, all European Union member states, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore.
All the nationals from these 57 countries, will now require a Canada Electronic Travel Authorisation. In other words, it is mandatory for citizens of the 57 visa-exempt countries to obtain Canada eTA online before traveling to Canada.
Canadian citizens or permanent residents and United States citizens are exempt from eTA requirement.
Citizens of other nationalities are eligible for Canada eTA if they hold a valid United States Green Card. More information is available on the Immigration website.
Is my information for Canada eTA secure?
On this website, Canada eTA registrations will use secure sockets layer with a minimum of 256 bit key length encryption on all servers. Any personal information provided by the applicants is encrypted at all layers of the online portal in transit and inflight. We protect your information and destroy it once no longer required. If you instruct us to delete your records before the retention time, we immediately do so.
All of your personally identifiable data is subject to our Privacy Policy. We treat you data as confidential and do not share with any other agency / office / subsidiary.
When does Canada eTA expire?
The Canada eTA will be valid for a period of 5 years from date of issuance or until the date of passport expiry, whichever date comes first and can be used for multiple visits.
Canada eTA can be used for business, tourist or transit visits and you can stay for upto 6 months.
How long can the visitor stay in Canada on the Canada eTA?
The visitor can stay up to 6 months in Canada on the Canada eTA but the actual duration would depend on the purpose of their visit and would be decided and stamped on their passport by the border officials at the airport.
Is Canada eTA valid for multiple visits?
Yes, Canada Electronic Travel Authorization is valid for multiple entries during the period of its validity.
What is the eligibility requirement for Canada eTA?
Countries which did not require a Canada Visa i.e. formerly Visa Free nationals, are required to obtain Canada Electronic Travel Authorization in order to enter Canada.
It is compulsory for all nationals/citizen of the 57 visa-free countries to apply online for a Canada Electronic Travel Authorization application before traveling to Canada.
This Canada Electronic Travel Authorization will be valid for a period of 5 years.
Citizens of United States do not require Canada eTA. US citizens do not need a Visa or an eTA to travel to Canada.
Do U.S. or Canadian citizens need a Canada eTA?
Canadian Citizens or permanent residents and United States Citizens do not need Canada eTA.
Do United States green card holders require Canada eTA?
As part of recent changes to Canada eTA program, U.S. green card holders or lawful permanent resident of the United States (U.S.), no longer need Canada eTA.
Documents you'll need when you travel
Air travel
At check-in, you'll need to show airline staff proof of your valid status as a permanent resident of the U.S.
All methods of travel
When you arrive in Canada, a border services officer will ask to see your passport and proof of your valid status as a permanent resident of the U.S. or other documents.
When you travel, make sure to bring
- a valid passport from your country of nationality
- proof of your status as a permanent resident of the U.S., such as a valid green card (officially known as a permanent resident card)
Do I need Canada eTA for Transit?
Yes, you require Canada eTA for transiting Canada even if transit will take less than 48 hours and you belong to one of the eTA eligbile country.
If you are citizen of a country that is not eTA eligible or not visa-exempt, then you will need a transit visa in order to pass through Canada without stopping or visiting.
Transit passengers must remain in the transit area of International Airport. If you wish to leave the airport, you must apply for a Visitor Visa before travelling to Canada.
You may not need either a transit visa or an eTA if you are travelling to or from the United States. If certain foreign nationals meet specific requirements then the Transit Without Visa Program (TWOV) and the China Transit Program (CTP) allows them to transit through Canada on their way to and from the United States without a Canadian transit visa.
What are the countries for Canada eTA?
The following countries are known as Visa-Exempt countries.:
Conditional Canada eTA
Passport holders of the following countries are eligible to apply for a Canada eTA if they satisfy the conditions listed below:
- You held a Canada Visitor Visa in the last ten (10) years Or you currently hold a valid US nonimmigrant visa.
- You must enter Canada by air.
If any of the above condition is not satisfied, then you must instead apply for a Canada Visitor Visa.
Conditional Canada eTA
Passport holders of the following countries are eligible to apply for a Canada eTA only if they satisfy the conditions listed below:
Conditions:
- All nationalities held a Canadian temporary Resident Visa in the last ten (10) years.
OR
- All nationalities must hold a current and valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa.
Do I need a Canada eTA if arriving by a cruise ship or by driving across a border?
No, you do not need Canada eTA if you intend to travel on a cruise ship to Canada. An eTA is required for travellers who are only arriving to Canada via commercial or chartered flights.
What is the criteria and evidence for getting Canada eTA Visa?
You must have a valid passport, and be in good health.
How long does it take to get an eTA approved?
Most eTA applications are approved within 24 hours, however some could take upto 72 hours. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will contact you if further information is required to process your application.
Is my eTA valid on a new passport or do I need to apply again?
You will need to again apply for an eTA, if you have received a new passport since your last eTA approval.
In what other situations does one need to re-apply for the Canada eTA?
Other than in case of receiving new passport, you also need to re-apply for the Canada eTA in case your previous eTA has expired after 5 years, or you have changed your name, sex, or nationality.
Are there any age requirements for the Canada eTA?
No, there are no age requirements. If you are eligible for the Canada eTA, you need to obtain it to travel to Canada regardless of your age.
If the visitor has both the Canadian Travel Visa and a Passport issued by a Visa-exempt country, do they still need the Canada eTA?
The visitor can travel to Canada with the Canadian Travel Visa attached to their Passport but if they so wish they can also apply for the Canada eTA on their Passport issued by a Visa-exempt country.
How to apply for the Canada eTA?
The application process for the Canada eTA is entirely online. The application has to be filled with relevant details online and submitted after the application payment is made. The applicant will be notified of the result of the application via email.
Can one travel to Canada after submitting the eTA application but not having received the final decision?
No, you cannot board any flight to Canada unless you have obtained the authorized eTA for Canada.
What should the applicant do if their application for the Canada eTA is rejected?
In such a case, you can try applying for the Canada Visa from the Canadian Embassy or Canada Consulate.
Can one apply for the eTA on somebody else’s behalf?
The parent or legal guardian of someone below 18 may apply for them on their behalf. You would need to have their passport, contact, travel, employment, and other background information and would also need to specify in the application that you are applying on somebody else’s behalf as well as specify your relationship with them.
Can the applicant correct a mistake on their Canada eTA application?
No, in case of any mistake a fresh application for Canada eTA must be submitted. However, if you hadn’t received the final decision on your first application, a fresh application might cause delays.
What does the eTA holder need to bring with them to the airport?
Your eTA will be electronically archived but you will need to bring your linked Passport to the airport with you.
Does an approved eTA guarantee entry into Canada?
No, an eTA only guarantees that you can board a flight to Canada. The border officials at the airport can deny you entry if you do not have all your documents, such as your passport, in order; if you pose any health or financial risk; and if you have previous criminal/terrorist history or previous immigration issues.
