eTA Canada: What It Is, Who Needs It, and How to Apply in 2026

Last updated: 8 September 2026. Reviewed against current IRCC guidelines for eTA Canada applications.

The eTA Canada is an Electronic Travel Authorization required for visa-exempt foreign nationals, including UK citizens, travelling to Canada by air. It costs CAD $7, is valid for up to 5 years, and applications are typically approved within minutes online.

This entry requirement, managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is electronically linked to your passport, meaning you do not need a physical document or printout. Since November 2016, it has been mandatory for boarding flights to Canada.

eTA Canada is an Electronic Travel Authorization required for visa-exempt foreign nationals, including UK citizens, travelling to Canada by air. It costs CAD $7, is valid for up to 5 years, and can be applied for online via the Government of Canada portal. Processing typically takes minutes.

What Is an eTA Canada and How Does It Work?

The eTA Canada is a mandatory pre-screening travel authorization linked electronically to the passport of visa-exempt air travellers, in effect since November 2016.

The eTA Canada, formally the Electronic Travel Authorization, is a digital entry requirement introduced by IRCC to pre-screen visa-exempt foreign nationals before they board a flight. The system launched on 15 March 2016 and became mandatory for boarding all qualifying flights from 10 November 2016.

Once approved, the eTA Canada is electronically linked to the passport used during application. No physical document or printout is required. At airport check-in, airline staff scan the traveller’s passport, and the eTA status is verified automatically through integrated airline systems.

Purpose (IRCC): shift admissibility screening pre-departure so border officers can focus on higher-risk arrivals. Visa-exempt nationals make up approximately 74% of non-US air arrivals to Canada.

Do UK Citizens Need an eTA Canada?

eTA Canada is a mandatory entry requirement for UK citizens travelling to Canada by air, but it is not required when entering by land or sea. British passport holders are visa-exempt foreign nationals, which means they do not need a Temporary Resident Visa for short visits of up to 6 months. A UK passport must remain valid for the length of the planned stay.

British-Canadian dual citizens cannot apply for an eTA Canada and must instead travel using a valid Canadian passport.

eTA Canada vs Visitor Visa (TRV)

The eTA Canada serves visa-exempt nationals for air travel, while a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is required for nationals of visa-required countries entering Canada by any mode of transport.

The eTA Canada is issued by IRCC and applies exclusively to air arrivals. A TRV covers tourists, temporary foreign workers, and international students from visa-required countries and can be issued as single-entry or multiple-entry.

Decision logic: Are you from a visa-exempt country? If yes and flying, you need an eTA Canada. If no, you must apply for a TRV regardless of travel mode.

Who Is Exempt from an eTA Canada?

Canadian citizens, US citizens, valid Canadian visa holders, and travellers arriving by land or sea do not need an eTA Canada.

• Canadian citizens (incl. dual) – must use a valid Canadian passport; eTA cannot be issued.
• Canadian permanent residents – must present a valid PR card or PR travel document.
• US citizens – need only proper identification, such as a valid US passport.
• Holders of a valid Canadian TRV – already hold the required entry document.
• Travellers arriving by land or sea – eTA Canada applies to air travel only.
• Foreign diplomats, commercial air crew, armed forces of designated states (Visiting Forces Act), Her Majesty and Royal Family members, and citizens of France resident in St. Pierre and Miquelon – exempt by status or location.
• Study or work permit holders re-entering from the US or St. Pierre and Miquelon – exempt for that re-entry.

US Green Card holders (lawful permanent residents) are not exempt for air travel: they must obtain an eTA Canada and carry both their valid Green Card and a valid passport from their country of nationality. For land or sea entry from the US, no eTA Canada is required.

Transit passengers passing through a Canadian airport on a connecting flight still need an eTA Canada or a transit visa, even when staying airside and not collecting luggage.

How to Apply for an eTA Canada

The eTA Canada application is completed online via canada.ca in 6 steps, taking about 5 minutes and costing CAD $7.

Our editorial team reviewed the canada.ca application process in September 2026 to confirm the steps below. eTA Canada can be applied for entirely online through the Government of Canada portal at canada.ca/eta. No paper forms, no in-person appointment. A paper application alternative is available for applicants with physical or mental disabilities (contact IRCC directly).

Only use the canada.ca portal listed above. Fraudulent third-party sites, such as canada-ave.com, have charged travellers up to $130 for the same eTA Canada service and risk stealing private information.

eTA Canada Requirements, Cost, and Processing Time

An eTA Canada requires a valid passport, email, and credit/debit card for the CAD $7 fee, with processing usually in minutes.

eTA Canada demands three items at application: a valid passport (not a national ID card), a valid email address for confirmation, and a credit or debit card to pay the CAD $7 fee (approximately £4-5 GBP in 2026, depending on the exchange rate). According to IRCC guidelines, the fee is non-refundable, even if the application is refused or submitted in error. Each traveller, including children and infants, must submit a separate application with individual payment. A third party (friend or family member) may submit applications on behalf of others.

Processing typically completes within minutes of submission. If IRCC requests additional documents, approval may take up to 72 hours. Apply at least 72 hours before departure to accommodate any delays. Confirmation arrives by email, so check the spam folder if nothing appears promptly. eTA Canada does not accept PayPal or digital wallets; IRCC charges in CAD and your bank may apply currency conversion fees.

eTA Canada Validity, Duration, and Renewal

An eTA Canada is valid for up to 5 years or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first, and permits unlimited entries of up to 6 months per visit.

There is no renewal mechanism: a new passport automatically invalidates the existing eTA Canada, so a completely fresh application is required. Extensions and transfers between travel documents do not exist. Travellers whose passport is nearing expiry should apply for a new passport first, then submit a new eTA Canada application.

For study or work permit holders, an eTA issued automatically with an initial permit since 1 August 2015 remains valid independently for up to 5 years or until passport expiry. It is not automatically renewed when the permit is renewed, requiring a separate new eTA Canada application.

After You Apply: Border Entry and Refusals

The eTA Canada is electronically linked to your passport and does not guarantee entry, as border services officers make the final decision at the port of entry.

eTA Canada requires no printout or physical document. Airline staff scan your passport at check-in and the eTA status is verified electronically. Upon arrival, a border services officer at the port of entry determines whether you may enter Canada.

Be prepared to present a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds for your stay. You must also complete a customs declaration, declaring anything prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

eTA Canada applications can be refused for several reasons: criminal record, health issues such as communicable diseases, financial insufficiency, family member inadmissibility, or incorrect information on the application. If refused, you can correct errors and reapply, or pivot to a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). For criminal inadmissibility, criminal rehabilitation may be required before reapplying. Contact IRCC through their web enquiry form for case-specific guidance.

UK-Specific eTA Canada Guide

UK citizens apply for an eTA Canada online at CAD $7, requiring a passport valid beyond the stay and 72 hours’ lead time.

eTA Canada is mandatory for British citizens flying to Canada but is not required for land or sea entry. The application fee is CAD $7 (approximately £4-5 GBP as of 2026, depending on the exchange rate at payment). UK passports must be valid for the length of the planned stay, and the eTA Canada grants visits of up to 6 months per entry.

Submit the application via the Government of Canada portal at canada.ca/eta at least 72 hours before departure.

UK-specific admissibility concerns apply: spent convictions, cautions, and driving offences such as drink-driving may affect eligibility. The eTA Canada background questionnaire asks about criminality, and Canadian immigration law treats these matters seriously. If unsure about your record’s impact, consult IRCC or a registered immigration consultant before applying.

For entry rules, visa eligibility, and criminal record queries, UK travellers can contact the Canadian High Commission in London.

eTA Canada vs Other Electronic Travel Authorisations

The eTA Canada is comparable to the US ESTA and Australia ETA but is specific to Canadian air entry. eTA Canada costs CAD $7, remains valid for up to 5 years or until the linked passport expires, and applies solely to visa-exempt foreign nationals arriving by air. UK travellers planning multi-destination trips may need all three authorisations simultaneously.

Each authorisation is independent: holding one does not grant entry to another country. eTA Canada does not replace a US ESTA or an Australia ETA. UK travellers should verify that all electronic travel authorisations remain current before each trip, particularly when a passport has been renewed, as this invalidates any linked eTA Canada.

FAQ: eTA Canada