How quickly does Canada issue an eTA?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues most eTAs within minutes; some go to manual review and take up to 72 hours. Our Rush tier reviews within 24 hours of payment; Super Rush ships same-day so the IRCC clock starts without delay.

Do I need an eTA if I'm driving from the US?

No. The eTA is required only when you fly into Canada. If you cross by land or sea, for example by car, bus, train or ferry, you do not apply for an eTA, though you still carry a valid passport and meet the usual border requirements. The wizard confirms what you need from your nationality and how you plan to arrive.

Do US citizens need a Canada eTA?

No. US citizens are exempt and do not need an eTA. The eTA is required for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to Canada (such as UK, EU, Australian and Japanese passport holders) and for US lawful permanent residents (green-card holders) arriving by air. The wizard confirms based on your passport and residence.

What if my Canadian eTA is refused?

A refused eTA usually means applying for a Temporary Resident Visa at a Canadian Visa Application Centre. Our service fee is refundable in most denial scenarios outside your control. The government fee is paid directly to IRCC and is non-refundable.

How much is an eTA for Canada?

You pay one all-inclusive price. It covers the government fee, the fixed amount IRCC charges and paid directly to the authority, and our service running the specialist review of your form before it reaches IRCC; the government portion is itemised on your receipt. The government fee is non-refundable; our service fee is refundable in most denial scenarios outside your control.

How long is the Canada eTA valid?

The eTA is valid for five years from approval, or until your passport expires if that is sooner, and allows multiple entries. The five years are not a length of stay: each visit is normally up to six months, and a border services officer sets the exact period when you land. Once your passport expires you apply for a new eTA.

What do I need to apply for a Canada eTA?

A valid passport from a visa-exempt country, an email address where the decision is sent, and a payment card. There is no photograph to upload, unlike a visa. US citizens are exempt and do not need an eTA. We check your details against the current rules and confirm your name and passport number before the application is submitted to IRCC.

Is the Canada eTA only for arriving by air?

Yes. The eTA requirement applies to visa-exempt foreign nationals flying into Canada, including those who connect through a Canadian airport. If you arrive by land or by sea, for example by car, bus, train or cruise ship, you do not need an eTA, though you still need a valid passport and may face other requirements at the border.

Do I need to print my Canada eTA before I travel?

No. An approved eTA is linked electronically to your passport, so the airline and border services see it automatically when you check in and there is nothing to print. We still suggest saving the approval email or your application number so you can check the status before you fly if you want to.

How long can I stay in Canada, and can I extend my visit?

A border services officer normally admits eTA holders for up to six months per visit. The five-year validity is not a continuous stay: it lets you make multiple trips within that period. If you want to stay longer than the period stamped on entry, you apply to extend your status from within Canada before it expires.

Do I need an eTA for a layover or connection in Canada?

Usually yes. Most travellers who change planes at a Canadian airport pass through Canadian immigration and need an approved eTA, even without leaving the airport. A limited transit programme exists for certain nationalities and routes. Apply for the eTA before you travel and let the airline confirm your specific connection.

Can I work or study on a Canada eTA?

No. The eTA covers tourism, visiting family or friends, business meetings and transit. Paid work or a study programme longer than six months requires the corresponding work or study permit, which you apply for separately through IRCC. The eTA does not by itself grant the right to work or enrol in long courses.

Why are some Canada eTA applications refused, and how do I avoid it?

Most problems come from small data errors: a name or passport number that does not match the passport, the wrong country of issue, or an inconsistent background answer. We read your details back against your passport before submission and flag anything that looks off. Honest answers and an in-date passport give your application the best footing with IRCC.

Will I be asked to show proof of funds or ties to my home country?

The eTA form does not ask for bank statements. At the airport, a border officer may still ask how you will fund your visit and what brings you home, so carry a return or onward ticket, accommodation details and a rough idea of your spending. These confirm a genuine short visit, and the officer weighs them when deciding how long to admit you.

I am flying into Canada and then driving on into the US. Do I need an eTA?

Yes. Because you arrive in Canada by air, you need an approved eTA before you board, even if you leave again by car, bus or train. The requirement follows how you enter, not how you exit. Crossing back into the United States is a separate matter under US rules. Our wizard confirms what your trip needs from your nationality and arrival.

I hold dual citizenship, or I have a past record. Can I still use a Canada eTA?

It depends on the detail. Canadian citizens, including dual nationals, cannot use an eTA and must travel on a Canadian passport. A past criminal matter can affect admissibility and may call for separate paperwork before you fly. The eTA lets you board and request entry; an officer decides on admission. Tell us your situation and we confirm whether the eTA fits.

When should I apply for the Canada eTA?

It is best to apply once your trip is booked, because the airline checks your authorisation at the boarding gate and the requirement is tied to the flight you take into Canada. IRCC decides most eTAs within minutes, and within 1 to 72 hours when an application goes to manual review, so applying early leaves room for those cases. Rush and Super Rush tiers exist for short-notice travel.

Canada eTA · VisitPass

Overview

The eTA, or electronic travel authorisation, is Canada's online entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals who arrive by air. It is not a visa: it is a screening that links to your passport before you fly and lets the airline board you and a border officer consider your admission. An approved eTA is valid for up to five years, or until your passport expires if that comes first, and allows multiple trips in that period.

Each visit is normally up to six months, set by the border services officer when you land. Travellers from the many visa-exempt countries, including the United Kingdom, the European Union, Australia and Japan, need an eTA to fly to Canada, as do lawful permanent residents of the United States. US citizens are exempt and travel on their passport alone.

An eTA does not authorise paid work, a study programme longer than six months, or settling in Canada, which need the corresponding permit. It links to the passport you apply with, so you must travel on that same document, and it is the airline's first check before you board. If you arrive by land or sea, or already hold a valid Canadian visa, the eTA does not apply to that trip.

Your Canada eTA is prepared in your own language and every answer is checked against the current rules before it is sent to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

At a glance

The key facts for a Canada eTA application.

Visa type: eTA
What you need: Your passport
Validity: 5 years
Maximum stay: 6 months per entry
Entry type: Multiple

Who can apply

The main eligibility conditions for this destination, and who can apply.

Required for citizens of visa-exempt countries entering Canada by air, except US citizens who are exempt. Valid for five years from approval or until passport expiry, with multiple entries up to six months each.

What you'll need

Have these ready before you begin your application. Requirements can vary by nationality and trip purpose.

Passport from an eTA-eligible country
Email address for eTA delivery
Travel dates and Canadian address
Payment method (one all-inclusive price)

Requirements in detail

A Canada eTA asks for less than a full visa, but every detail must match your passport exactly. You need a valid passport from a visa-exempt country, the same document you will travel on; the eTA attaches to it electronically, which is why there is no photograph to upload, unlike a visa. Have the passport number, the issue and expiry dates and the country of issue in front of you as you fill in the form.

You also confirm basic details such as your date of birth, nationality and a contact address, and answer a short set of questions about your background and any previous immigration or admissibility issues; these are the answers that matter most, so give them carefully and honestly. A valid email address is where the decision is delivered, and a payment card covers one all-inclusive price that includes the government fee charged by IRCC and our service for reviewing and submitting your application; the government portion is itemised on your receipt. Before you confirm, read your name and passport number back against the passport itself.

A single mistyped character is the most common avoidable error, and a mismatch between your eTA and your passport can hold you up at the airport, because the airline checks one against the other when you board.

Government processing time

What the issuing authority typically takes once the application is submitted.

Government processing: Canada IRCC decides most eTAs within minutes, and in 1 to 72 hours when an application is sent to manual review. VisitPass review: Standard 1 to 3 business days; Rush 1 business day; Super Rush less than 6 hours. The application is checked for completeness, submitted to the authority, and the confirmation issued with a tracking code. When to apply: it is best to apply once your trip is booked, because the airline checks your authorisation at the boarding gate and the requirement is tied to the flight you take into Canada. Applying early also leaves room for the few cases that go to longer review.

On arrival

Your approved eTA is held electronically against your passport, so there is nothing to print before you fly; the airline checks your authorisation automatically when you board. Even so, it is worth saving the approval email or your application number in case you want to confirm the status. The eTA applies to arrival by air, so travel on the exact passport you applied with, the document the eTA is linked to.

The eTA lets you board and request entry; a border services officer at the Canadian airport makes the final decision on admission and how long you may stay, and may ask about your trip, so have your return or onward ticket and where you will stay ready to show.

Planning your trip

Canada is best taken a region at a time. The Rocky Mountain parks of Banff and Jasper, with Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway, reward a slow road trip; Vancouver pairs the sea and the mountains and opens the way to Whistler and Vancouver Island. Toronto and nearby Niagara Falls anchor the centre, while Quebec City and Montreal bring old-town streets and French-speaking culture. Out east, the Maritimes offer the Cabot Trail, the red cliffs of Prince Edward Island and the high tides of the Bay of Fundy. Summer is the prime season for the Rockies and the lakes, with long daylight and open mountain roads; autumn turns the eastern forests gold and is ideal for the maple country around Quebec and Ontario; winter is for skiing and, in the north, the northern lights. Distances are huge, so pick one or two areas rather than crossing the whole country, and book internal flights and popular park lodges early. Pack layers for the sharp swings between warm afternoons and cool mountain nights, and add rain protection for the coasts.

One all-inclusive price

One price per visa with everything included. The government portion goes to the issuing authority and is non-refundable, itemised on your official receipt. Our service covers a full review of your application, secure handling and 24/7 email support.

From

$120.00

Standard tier, one all-inclusive price. You choose your processing speed at checkout, where the final price is confirmed.

Apply now See full pricing breakdown →

The government portion shown is an approximate USD equivalent of the issuing authority's official charge; the exact all-inclusive price is confirmed at checkout.

How to apply

Three steps from start to approval.

Complete the form
Answer the official questions online. Your draft is saved for 30 days, so you can finish once your documents are to hand.
Pay securely
You see the one all-inclusive price before you pay. We check your application for completeness before it reaches the government portal.
Receive by email
Your approved travel authorisation arrives by email. Bring it, or a copy, together with the passport you applied with when you travel.

Read the full Canada eTA guide

Questions about this destination

Common questions specific to this visa. For broader topics see our help centre.

How quickly does Canada issue an eTA?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues most eTAs within minutes; some go to manual review and take up to 72 hours. Our Rush tier reviews within 24 hours of payment; Super Rush ships same-day so the IRCC clock starts without delay.
Do I need an eTA if I'm driving from the US?
No. The eTA is required only when you fly into Canada. If you cross by land or sea, for example by car, bus, train or ferry, you do not apply for an eTA, though you still carry a valid passport and meet the usual border requirements. The wizard confirms what you need from your nationality and how you plan to arrive.
Do US citizens need a Canada eTA?
No. US citizens are exempt and do not need an eTA. The eTA is required for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to Canada (such as UK, EU, Australian and Japanese passport holders) and for US lawful permanent residents (green-card holders) arriving by air. The wizard confirms based on your passport and residence.
What if my Canadian eTA is refused?
A refused eTA usually means applying for a Temporary Resident Visa at a Canadian Visa Application Centre. Our service fee is refundable in most denial scenarios outside your control. The government fee is paid directly to IRCC and is non-refundable.
How much is an eTA for Canada?
You pay one all-inclusive price. It covers the government fee, the fixed amount IRCC charges and paid directly to the authority, and our service running the specialist review of your form before it reaches IRCC; the government portion is itemised on your receipt. The government fee is non-refundable; our service fee is refundable in most denial scenarios outside your control.
How long is the Canada eTA valid?
The eTA is valid for five years from approval, or until your passport expires if that is sooner, and allows multiple entries. The five years are not a length of stay: each visit is normally up to six months, and a border services officer sets the exact period when you land. Once your passport expires you apply for a new eTA.
What do I need to apply for a Canada eTA?
A valid passport from a visa-exempt country, an email address where the decision is sent, and a payment card. There is no photograph to upload, unlike a visa. US citizens are exempt and do not need an eTA. We check your details against the current rules and confirm your name and passport number before the application is submitted to IRCC.
Is the Canada eTA only for arriving by air?
Yes. The eTA requirement applies to visa-exempt foreign nationals flying into Canada, including those who connect through a Canadian airport. If you arrive by land or by sea, for example by car, bus, train or cruise ship, you do not need an eTA, though you still need a valid passport and may face other requirements at the border.
Do I need to print my Canada eTA before I travel?
No. An approved eTA is linked electronically to your passport, so the airline and border services see it automatically when you check in and there is nothing to print. We still suggest saving the approval email or your application number so you can check the status before you fly if you want to.
How long can I stay in Canada, and can I extend my visit?
A border services officer normally admits eTA holders for up to six months per visit. The five-year validity is not a continuous stay: it lets you make multiple trips within that period. If you want to stay longer than the period stamped on entry, you apply to extend your status from within Canada before it expires.
Do I need an eTA for a layover or connection in Canada?
Usually yes. Most travellers who change planes at a Canadian airport pass through Canadian immigration and need an approved eTA, even without leaving the airport. A limited transit programme exists for certain nationalities and routes. Apply for the eTA before you travel and let the airline confirm your specific connection.
Can I work or study on a Canada eTA?
No. The eTA covers tourism, visiting family or friends, business meetings and transit. Paid work or a study programme longer than six months requires the corresponding work or study permit, which you apply for separately through IRCC. The eTA does not by itself grant the right to work or enrol in long courses.
Why are some Canada eTA applications refused, and how do I avoid it?
Most problems come from small data errors: a name or passport number that does not match the passport, the wrong country of issue, or an inconsistent background answer. We read your details back against your passport before submission and flag anything that looks off. Honest answers and an in-date passport give your application the best footing with IRCC.
Will I be asked to show proof of funds or ties to my home country?
The eTA form does not ask for bank statements. At the airport, a border officer may still ask how you will fund your visit and what brings you home, so carry a return or onward ticket, accommodation details and a rough idea of your spending. These confirm a genuine short visit, and the officer weighs them when deciding how long to admit you.
I am flying into Canada and then driving on into the US. Do I need an eTA?
Yes. Because you arrive in Canada by air, you need an approved eTA before you board, even if you leave again by car, bus or train. The requirement follows how you enter, not how you exit. Crossing back into the United States is a separate matter under US rules. Our wizard confirms what your trip needs from your nationality and arrival.
I hold dual citizenship, or I have a past record. Can I still use a Canada eTA?
It depends on the detail. Canadian citizens, including dual nationals, cannot use an eTA and must travel on a Canadian passport. A past criminal matter can affect admissibility and may call for separate paperwork before you fly. The eTA lets you board and request entry; an officer decides on admission. Tell us your situation and we confirm whether the eTA fits.
When should I apply for the Canada eTA?
It is best to apply once your trip is booked, because the airline checks your authorisation at the boarding gate and the requirement is tied to the flight you take into Canada. IRCC decides most eTAs within minutes, and within 1 to 72 hours when an application goes to manual review, so applying early leaves room for those cases. Rush and Super Rush tiers exist for short-notice travel.

Specialist review on every file

We look at your file for the small errors that get applications refused, before any government does. Real reviewers, not AI form-fillers, not outsourced clerical work.

We don't quote specialist headcounts. Our commitment is simple: a real person reviews every file.

Canada help desk

Have questions about your eTA? Email the Canada desk and we reply within 24 hours.

canada@visitpass-online.com

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Verify rules and fees independently at the official portal: www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html

CanadaeTA