What is an Electronic Travel Authorization?

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air. An eTA is electronically linked to a traveler’s passport. It is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.  If you get a new passport, you need to get a new eTA.

With a valid eTA, you can travel to Canada as often as you want for short stays (normally for up to six months at a time). You do not need an eTA for travel within Canada.

An eTA doesn’t guarantee entry to Canada. When you arrive, a border services officer will ask to see your passport and other documents – for example, a U.S. Green Card. You must convince the officer that you are eligible for entry into Canada.

Who needs an eTA to travel to Canada?

 There are four types of travelers:

1. Travelers who need an eTA:
   • Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an eTA to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. These travelers do not need an eTA when arriving by car, bus, train or boat (including a cruise ship).
   • Lawful permanent residents of the U.S. need an eTA to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. They must present a valid Green Card and a valid passport at check-in.
2. Travelers who may be eligible to apply for an eTA:
   • Citizens from select visa-required countries may be eligible to apply for an eTA, instead of a visa, to travel to Canada by air. However, these travelers need a visitor visa when arriving by car, bus, train, or boat, including a cruise ship.
3. Travelers who cannot apply for an eTA and need to carry other identification:
   • Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, need a valid Canadian passport. American-Canadians can travel with a valid Canadian or U.S. passport.
   • Canadian permanent residents need a valid permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document.
     • Important – former residents of Canada: Permanent resident (PR) status does not expire. If you once lived in Canada many years ago, you could still have PR status. Learn more to avoid travel delays.
   • Visa-required including alien’s passport holders and stateless individuals.
4. Travelers who are exempt from the eTA requirement. For example:
   • U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement and must carry proper identification such as a valid U.S. passport.
   • See the complete list of eTA exceptions.

How do I apply for an eTA for travel to Canada?

Only apply for an eTA on this official Government of Canada website

Applying for an eTA is a simple online process that takes just a few minutes to complete. Most applicants get their eTA approval (via an email) within minutes. However, some requests can take several days to process if you’re asked to submit supporting documents. It is best to get an eTA before you book your flight to Canada.

An eTA costs CAD $7. You can only apply and pay for one person at a time.

To complete the form, you will need your passport, a credit or debit card, and an email address. You must also answer a few questions.

Avoid this common mistake when you apply

If you enter the wrong passport number on the eTA form, you will have problems flying to Canada.

Use the eTA help guide (PDF, 1.62 MB) and follow the instructions to enter your passport number correctly.

Use the number that is at the top of your passport information page – the page with your photo.

What to bring to the airport

When we approve your eTA, it will be linked to the passport you used to apply. You need to present this passport when you check-in to your flight to Canada.

The airline staff will scan your passport to confirm that you have a valid eTA. If you do not have one, you won’t be able to board your flight.

Confirm passport number is correct

Avoid hassles at the airport: Once your eTA is approved, check that the passport number included in your eTA approval email matches the number in your passport. If they don’t match, you need to apply for a new eTA.

Please Contact Us for further information.

Who will need to give fingerprints and photo (Biometrics)?

Everyone who applies for:

• a visitor visa
• a work or study permit (excluding U.S. nationals)
• permanent residence, or
• refugee or asylum status

There are some exemptions:

• Canadian citizens, citizenship applicants (including passport applicants), or existing permanent residents
• visa-exempt nationals coming to Canada as tourists who hold a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
• children under the age of 14
• applicants over the age of 79 (there is no upper age exemption for asylum claimants)
• heads of state and heads of government
• cabinet ministers and accredited diplomats of other countries and the United Nations, coming to Canada on official business
• U.S. visa holders transiting through Canada
• refugee claimants or protected persons who have already provided biometrics and are applying for a study or work permit
• temporary resident applicants who have already provided biometrics in support of a permanent resident application that is still in progress

Temporary exemption: Applying in Canada

If you are applying for a visa, study or work permit, or permanent residence in Canada – you are exempt until the in-Canada service is established.

How often you need to give your fingerprints and photo

Visitor visa, study and work permit applicants

You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years.

If you have a valid visitor visa, or a study or work permit, and you gave your biometrics in the past, your biometrics are valid from the date you gave your biometrics for a period of 10 years. You do not need to give your biometrics until the 10-year period expires.

Permanent residence applicants

You will need to give your biometrics and pay the fee, regardless of whether you gave your biometrics in the past to support a visitor visa, study or work permit application, or a different permanent resident application.

How much it costs

• Individual applicants: CAD$85
• Families applying together at the same time: maximum total fee of CAD$170
• Groups of 3 or more performing artists and their staff who apply for work permits at the same time: maximum total fee of CAD$255

Why the Government of Canada collects biometrics

Biometrics collection is recognized globally as a reliable, accurate tool for establishing identity. More than 70 countries around the world are using biometrics in their immigration programs.

Biometrics collection allows the Government of Canada to effectively manage identity, facilitate application processing and simplify entry for travellers with legitimate identities. It helps deter, detect and stop the entry of those who pose a risk to the health, safety and security of Canadians.

How the Government of Canada uses collected biometrics

Biometrics will provide immigration officers with additional information to help make decisions on a person’s admissibility and by simplifying the travel of low-risk individuals.

The fingerprints are stored by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on the National Repository and checked against its immigration and criminal records. The biometric check confirms if someone applied to enter Canada before using the same or a different identity, has a previous Canadian criminal record, or has been removed from Canada before.

Biometrics-based information sharing with the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom will further support the integrity of Canada’s immigration system, in a manner that respects Canada’s privacy laws, civil liberties and human rights commitments, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

At the border, the Canada Border Services Agency will be able to quickly and accurately confirm whether a traveller’s identity is legitimate. This will contribute to more efficient and timely entry for travellers.

At 8 major Canadian airports, fingerprint verification will be automatically conducted at a primary inspection kiosk.

At other airports and land ports of entry, discretionary fingerprint verification will be conducted by a border services officer upon referral to secondary inspection, where the traveller’s identity will be verified to ensure that the person seeking entry to Canada is the same person who was approved overseas.

Please Contact Us for further information.