The eTA Canada cost in 2026 is a flat CAN$7 per person (~£3.90-£4.30 for UK travellers). This non-refundable fee covers processing for up to 5 years. Last updated: 3 September 2026. Exchange rates are indicative mid-market rates; your bank’s rate may differ.
This independent portal provides a full cost breakdown. We are not affiliated with the government. Always use the Government of Canada portal to apply.
What Is the Canada eTA Application Fee in 2026?
The Canada eTA application fee is a flat CAN$7 per person, collected in a single online transaction through the Government of Canada portal. This charge covers both processing and Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) issuance, with no separate line items added at checkout.
No Canadian sales tax is applied: no GST or HST is added to the CAN$7 fee, because it functions as a flat government charge rather than a commercial purchase. The application is online only via the Government of Canada eTA portal, with no paper or mail option.
The Canada eTA is mandatory solely for visa-exempt foreign nationals entering or transiting Canada by air. Land and sea arrivals do not require this authorisation. US citizens are exempt and do not need or pay for a Canada eTA. Travellers holding a valid Canadian visa are also exempt.
For the authoritative fee reference, consult the Government of Canada eTA application page or the IRCC Help Centre eTA cost Q&A.
Canada eTA Cost by Currency: GBP, USD, EUR, AUD, JPY
The Canada eTA application fee of CAN$7 converts to approximately £3.90-£4.30 for UK travellers at indicative mid-market rates as of September 2026. The exact charge depends on your card issuer’s exchange rate and any non-sterling transaction fee on the day of payment.
| Currency | Approximate Amount | Exchange Rate Basis (Sep 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| GBP (£) | £3.90-£4.30 | CAD/GBP ~0.56-0.58 |
| USD ($) | ~$5.10 | CAD/USD ~0.73 |
| EUR (€) | ~€4.75 | CAD/EUR ~0.68 |
| AUD ($) | ~A$7.80 | CAD/AUD ~1.11 |
| JPY (¥) | ~¥770 | CAD/JPY ~110 |
Most UK banks add a 2.5%-3.0% non-sterling fee, raising the total cost to ~£4.02-£4.33. Cards from Starling, Monzo, or Halifax Clarity charge 0%, keeping it at ~£3.90. Our editorial team verified these bank fees against published tariff schedules from Barclays, HSBC, and Lloyds in September 2026. Currency conversion is the only variable between the stated CAN$7 and what appears on your statement.
Is the Canada eTA Fee Refundable?
The Canada eTA application fee of CAN$7 is non-refundable regardless of the outcome (approved, rejected, or withdrawn). The fee covers pre-screening processing, not just the authorisation itself.
The only rare exception involves an IRCC system error or duplicate charge. In such cases, the traveller may contact IRCC via the IRCC Web Form to request a review, though success rates are low. A rejected application requires a new CAN$7 payment. For more details on payment methods and refund rules, see our dedicated guide.
Canada eTA Scam Websites: Government Cost vs Third-Party Fees
Fraudulent and imitation websites charge CAN$40-$130 per Canada eTA application, a 6x to 19x markup over the government fee of CAN$7. These exorbitant fees buy no faster processing or higher approval odds. Apply directly at canada.ca/eta/apply.html.
| Provider | Fee (CAD) | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Government of Canada | CAN$7 | Minutes to hours |
| Typical third-party site | CAN$40-130 | Same (no priority) |
- Red flag: any site promising “fast-track” or “priority” processing for the Canada eTA.
- Red flag: non-.ca domains or requests for wire transfer and cryptocurrency payments.
- Red flag: the example domain canada-ave.com has been cited as a fraudulent site.
- If you already paid a scam site: your Canada eTA may still be valid if the scammer submitted a real application, but you overpaid and cannot recover the difference.
Canada eTA Cost Compared: eTA vs UK ETA vs US ESTA vs Visitor Visa
The Canada eTA at CAN$7 (~£4) is significantly cheaper than the UK ETA (£20) and the US ESTA ($21 / ~£17), and dramatically cheaper than a Canadian visitor visa (CAN$100+ plus CAN$85 biometrics).
| Authorisation | Fee (Local) | Fee (GBP) | Validity | Refundable? | Cost per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada eTA | CAN$7 | ~£4 | 5 years | No | ~£0.80 |
| UK ETA | £20 | £20 | 2 years | No | ~£10 |
| US ESTA | $21 | ~£17 | 2 years | No | ~£8.50 |
| Canada visitor visa | CAN$100+ | ~£57+ | Variable | No | Varies |
- Lowest cost per year of validity (~£0.80/year vs £10/year UK ETA, £8.50/year US ESTA)
- 5-year validity – longest among compared options
- Flat CAN$7 (~£4) fee, significantly cheaper than UK ETA (£20) or US ESTA ($21)
- Fast processing: most applications approved within minutes to hours
- Non-refundable regardless of outcome (approved, rejected, or withdrawn)
- Tied to passport – renewal requires a new CAN$7 application
- No group discount for families (4 applications = CAN$28)
- Does not guarantee entry – border control makes the final decision
Canada eTA Payment Methods, Processing Time, and Agent Fees
The Canada eTA accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, including pre-paid versions. Some pre-paid gift cards may be declined if they lack AVS (Address Verification System) compatibility. Not accepted: debit-only cards, PayPal, bank transfers, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Most Canada eTA applications are approved within minutes to hours. No expedited or priority processing option exists; anyone offering “fast-track” for an additional fee is running a scam. For a detailed breakdown of eTA processing times, see our separate guide. Apply at least 72 hours before departure.
Third-party agents charge CAN$25-$80 (~£15-£50) for data entry you can complete yourself in 5-10 minutes at the CAN$7 rate. To understand the trade-offs, read our comparison of direct vs agency eTA application.
eTA Validity, Family Costs and Passport Renewal
The Canada eTA is valid for up to 5 years or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first. Since the eTA is tied to a passport number, a passport renewal requires a new CAN$7 Canada eTA application. Over a 10-year period with one passport renewal, the total cost would be CAN$14.
A family of four submits four separate Canada eTA applications totalling CAN$28 (approximately £16-£17 with typical UK bank fees), with no group discount. If you are travelling with children, see our guide on applying for a Canada eTA for your child. The eTA does not guarantee entry; final admissibility is determined by border control officers at the Canadian port of entry.
FAQ: Canada eTA Cost and Fees
How much does a Canada eTA cost in 2026?
The Canada eTA costs CAN$7 per application in 2026. For UK travellers, this is approximately £3.90 to £4.30 depending on the exchange rate and any non-sterling transaction fees applied by your bank.
Is the Canada eTA fee refundable if my application is rejected?
No, the CAN$7 fee is non-refundable regardless of the application outcome. The only rare exceptions involve IRCC system errors or duplicate charges, which must be reported via the IRCC web form. Success rates for these requests are low.
What payment methods are accepted for the Canada eTA?
The Government of Canada accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, including pre-paid versions of these cards. Debit-only cards, PayPal, bank transfers, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are not accepted.
How long does Canada eTA processing take?
Most applications are approved within minutes to hours after submission. There is no expedited or priority processing option available. Anyone offering a fast-track service for an additional fee is running a scam.
Do UK passport holders need a Canadian eTA?
Yes, UK citizens need an eTA for air travel to Canada. It is not required for land or sea entry. US citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa are exempt from this requirement.
Can I apply for a Canada eTA for my whole family at once?
No, each person needs a separate application and payment. A family of four pays CAN$28 total (4 x CAN$7). There is no group discount available, and completing all four applications takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
What happens if I renew my passport – do I need a new eTA?
Yes, your existing eTA is linked to your passport number and is automatically cancelled on renewal. You must apply again at the full CAN$7 fee. Over a 10-year period with one passport renewal, the total cost would be CAN$14.
Is GST or HST added to the Canada eTA fee?
No, the CAN$7 fee is a flat government charge with no Canadian sales tax (GST/HST) added to the final amount. You only pay the flat processing fee per person.
How much do scam websites charge for the Canada eTA?
Fraudulent third-party sites typically charge CAN$40 to CAN$130, which is 6 to 19 times the government fee. Always apply through the Government of Canada portal to avoid these exorbitant intermediary markups.
Is the Canada eTA cheaper than a UK ETA or US ESTA?
Yes, the Canada eTA (CAN$7 / ~£4) is significantly cheaper than the UK ETA (£20) and the US ESTA ($21 / ~£17). It also offers up to 5-year validity, making its cost per year approximately £0.80.
Editorial note: This guide was researched and verified by our UK-based travel editorial team using published bank tariff schedules and Government of Canada sources in September 2026. This portal is an independent informational resource, not a government site.
