Last updated: September 2026. This guide is for informational purposes only; always verify current requirements on the Government of Canada website.
Canada eTA requires a separate Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) application for every child and infant, with no age exemptions and no family forms. Each costs $7 CAD, submitted online at canada.ca/eta using the child’s own valid passport. This guide covers Canada’s eTA only, not the UK’s ETA scheme (£20 via gov.uk). The Canadian eTA is administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC); UK ETA rules, including the under-18 exemption, do not apply to Canada travel.
UK families should apply for each member sequentially, allowing up to 72 hours for processing delays. Parents complete the form using the child’s passport details and the parent’s own email for all IRCC correspondence.
Does My Child Need a Separate Canada eTA?
An eTA Canada apply for child request must be submitted for every infant and minor, as Canada’s eTA system has zero age exemptions. Each Canada eTA is electronically linked to the individual passport, so a child cannot travel under a parent’s document. The IRCC portal offers no family or group form; each family member requires a separate application form at $7 CAD per person.
Canada eTA ($7 CAD, canada.ca) differs from the UK ETA (£20, gov.uk) and applies to visa-exempt foreign nationals entering Canada.
UK ETA vs Canadian eTA at a Glance
| Feature | UK ETA | Canada eTA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £20 | $7 CAD |
| Required for | Entering the UK | Entering Canada (visa-exempt foreign nationals) |
| Age exemption | UK nationals under 18 exempt | None; every person needs one |
What You Need Before You Start
A valid child’s passport is the only mandatory document for a Canadian eTA application, per IRCC’s Help Centre (qnum=1172); no birth certificates or custody orders are uploaded at submission. The eTA Canada application for child requires every minor, including newborns, to hold their own valid passport. Age categories: infant (under 2), toddler (2-5), school-age child (6-17). UK child passports are valid for 5 years (versus 10 years for adults), which directly affects the Canada eTA validity period since the authorization expires when the passport expires. The Canada eTA application fee is $7 CAD per person with no waiver for minors. Use the parent’s email for all IRCC correspondence.
Checklist – Before You Apply
- Child’s valid UK passport (check the expiry date)
- Credit or debit card for the $7 CAD fee (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, UnionPay, or JCB)
- Parent’s or guardian’s email address for all correspondence
- Travel itinerary details (flight number, airport, approximate dates)
- Home address and accompanying adult’s contact information
Supporting documents such as birth certificates or custody orders are not required during the eTA Canada application for child but may be requested by a CBSA officer at the Canadian border. Tip from our editorial team: when applying for multiple children, use the same email address and payment card across all applications to simplify tracking confirmation numbers.
Step-by-Step: Completing the Canada eTA Form for a Child
How a Parent or Guardian Applies on a Child’s Behalf
Open the application portal
Open the Government of Canada application portal at canada.ca/eta and click “Apply for an eTA.”
Confirm you are applying for someone else
Answer “Yes” to “Are you applying on behalf of someone else?” This mandatory toggle defaults to “No.”
Enter the child’s passport number
Enter the child’s passport number, never the parent’s. Using the adult’s passport is the most common error in a Canada eTA application for a child.
Provide the child’s date of birth
Provide the child’s date of birth in YYYY-MM-DD format; the UK’s DD/MM/YYYY convention will cause a form error.
Use the parent’s or guardian’s email
Use the parent’s or guardian’s email address so all approval notices reach the responsible adult.
Pay the fee
Pay the $7 CAD fee to finalise the submission.
Accepted Payment Methods
The Canadian eTA system accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, UnionPay, and JCB. Prepaid or virtual cards may be declined, so use a standard debit or credit card for each $7 CAD transaction.
Processing Time and Border Entry Requirements
Most Canada eTA applications for a child are approved within minutes, but manual review can extend processing to up to 72 hours. Families should apply 2-3 weeks before departure to allow buffer for every family member’s authorisation.
A child’s Canada eTA is valid for up to 5 years or until the passport expires. UK child passports run 5 years, so both often lapse together. The eTA is linked to the passport electronically; no printout is required at check-in, though keeping the confirmation email is wise.
At the border, a CBSA officer may request a consent letter when a child travels with one parent, alone, or with a guardian; birth certificates or custody orders should be carried for inspection.
Recommended Family eTA Timeline
3+ months before travel
Confirm all family passports are valid and not expiring soon.
2-3 weeks before travel
Submit each eTA application (adults first, then children).
1 week before travel
Confirm all approvals received via email.
Consent Letter Checklist
- Absent parent’s full legal name and contact information
- Child’s full name and date of birth
- Accompanying parent or guardian’s full name
- Travel dates and destination in Canada
- Signed and dated by the absent parent(s)
FAQ: Canada eTA for Children, Infants, and Family Groups
How much does a Canada eTA cost for a child?
Canada eTA costs $7 CAD per person, no child discount. A family of four pays $28 CAD. Payment: Visa, MasterCard, Amex, UnionPay, JCB. (Source: canada.ca)
How long is a child’s Canada eTA valid?
Up to 5 years or until the child’s passport expires. UK child passports run 5 years, so both often lapse together. A new eTA application is needed when a new passport is issued. (Source: canada.ca)
Can I use my own email for my baby’s eTA application?
Yes. IRCC expects and allows the parent’s or guardian’s email address on a child’s eTA form. All correspondence goes to that address. Using the same email across family applications simplifies tracking. (Source: IRCC Help Centre, qnum=1172)
Does my newborn need an eTA to fly to Canada?
Yes. Canada’s eTA has no age exemptions. Every person, including newborns and lap infants, needs their own individual eTA linked to their own valid passport. UK passports are issued separately for every person, including infants.
My child has dual British-Canadian citizenship. Do they need an eTA?
No. Canadian citizens cannot hold a Canadian eTA. A dual British-Canadian citizen child must enter Canada using a valid Canadian passport, regardless of age. (Source: IRCC rules)
What if my child’s eTA application is refused?
Common refusal reasons include data entry errors, criminal inadmissibility, or prior overstays. You may reapply after correcting data errors, or apply for a visitor visa if the refusal relates to eligibility. Check the IRCC notification email for the specific refusal reason.
Do I need a printed eTA for my child at the airport?
No printout is required. The Canada eTA is electronically linked to the passport; airline staff and CBSA officers verify it from the passport alone. Carrying the confirmation email as backup is recommended.
Is there a family application form for the Canada eTA?
No family form exists. Each member files a separate application at $7 CAD per person. Recommended workflow: apply for adults first, then children, using the same email and payment card to simplify tracking.
About this guide: Our editorial team has been covering Canadian immigration procedures for UK travellers since 2021, with hands-on experience submitting eTA applications for family members travelling to Canada.
