The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) Canada application fee is $7 CAD, payable online via Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or debit cards through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal at canada.ca. PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are not accepted. The fee is non-refundable even if denied. UK travellers should expect a 1.5 to 3% foreign transaction fee from their bank. Article last verified against IRCC sources on 8 September 2026; fee and refund rules reflect the $7 CAD charge in effect for 2026.
Accepted Payment Methods for the eTA Canada in 2026
The eTA Canada is required for citizens of visa-exempt countries travelling by air. IRCC accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard, and pre-paid cards (Visa, Mastercard, or Amex logo) for the $7 CAD eTA Canada fee. A valid passport is required to apply. The card need not be in the applicant’s name; any valid card may be used (IRCC Help Centre qnum=1191, accessed 8 September 2026).
| Payment Method | Status | Notes for UK Travellers |
|---|---|---|
| Visa | ✅ Accepted | Credit or debit |
| Mastercard | ✅ Accepted | Credit or debit |
| American Express | ✅ Accepted | Credit or pre-paid |
| Visa Debit | ✅ Accepted | UK bank debit cards |
| Debit Mastercard | ✅ Accepted | UK bank debit cards |
| Pre-paid (Visa/MC/Amex logo) | ✅ Accepted | Revolut, Monzo, Starling |
| Maestro (alone) | ❌ Not accepted | Needs Visa or Mastercard logo |
| PayPal | ❌ Not accepted | Card-only IRCC gateway |
| Apple Pay / Google Pay | ❌ Not accepted | Card-only IRCC gateway |
Can I Pay with PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay?
No. eTA Canada payment methods exclude all digital wallets. The IRCC payment gateway accepts only traditional cards carrying a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express logo.
Debit Cards and Pre-Paid Cards: What UK Travellers Need to Know
Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard work on the IRCC portal. Maestro alone may not work without a Visa or Mastercard logo. Pre-paid cards from Revolut, Monzo, or Starling are accepted if they carry a Visa or Mastercard logo.
How to Pay for the eTA Canada – Step by Step
The eTA Canada payment processing time takes approximately 15-20 minutes in a single online session through the IRCC portal, requiring 3D Secure authentication. No offline, mail, or in-person option exists.
Complete the application form
On the IRCC portal at canada.ca.
Verify all passport and personal data
Check everything before proceeding to payment.
Select a payment method
Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard, or pre-paid cards.
Complete 3D Secure / SCA
Required by UK FCA regulations for online card transactions.
Receive confirmation by email
View and download your payment receipt from your IRCC online account once the $7 CAD fee is charged.
Do not refresh the page during payment, as a session timeout will erase entered data and may trigger duplicate charges.
Paying for Multiple Travellers
Each traveller must submit a separate application and pay $7 CAD individually; there is no family discount. A family of four pays $28 CAD (approximately £16.40). The same card can be used for sequential transactions.
eTA Canada Cost and Refund Policy
The eTA Canada costs $7 CAD (~£4.10-4.40) and is non-refundable. Denied, withdrawn, or erroneous applications get no refund, except for accidental duplicate charges. The eTA remains valid for 5 years from issuance or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. UK travellers should expect a 1.5-3% foreign transaction fee added by their bank.
| Scenario | Refund? | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| eTA denied | ❌ No | Fee covers application processing |
| Wrong passport data entered | ❌ No | Applicant error; new application and payment required |
| Voluntary withdrawal | ❌ No | Fee charged at moment of submission |
| Passport renewed before eTA expires | ❌ No | New passport requires new eTA and new $7 CAD payment |
| Accidental duplicate charge | ✅ Yes | Contact IRCC via web form; processing takes 30+ business days |
Will I Be Charged Extra If I Pay in GBP?
IRCC charges the eTA Canada fee only in CAD; your bank converts to GBP at its live rate. Digital-first banks like Revolut or Monzo typically charge 0-0.5%, while traditional UK banks such as HSBC or Barclays add a currency conversion fee of 2-3% on top of the $7 CAD charge. GBP estimates are based on ~0.59-0.63 GBP/CAD; your card issuer will use its own live rate.
Avoiding Hidden Fees and Third-Party Scam Sites
Third-party sites charge up to $130+ for an eTA that costs $7 CAD on the IRCC portal at canada.ca. Always verify the .gc.ca domain before entering card details. Fraudulent websites such as canada-ave.com mimic the real portal but steal passport data and overcharge applicants. The only legitimate payment channel for eTA Canada payment methods is canada.ca.
- No .gc.ca domain in the URL
- Fee exceeds $10 CAD (the legitimate charge is $7 CAD)
- No language toggle between English and French
- URL does not begin with www.canada.ca
- No Government of Canada logo displayed on the page
IRCC does not authorise any third-party site to collect the eTA Canada $7 CAD fee on its behalf.
FAQ: eTA Canada Payment Methods
How much does the eTA Canada cost in 2026?
The eTA Canada application fee is $7 CAD, approximately £4.10 to £4.40 depending on the live exchange rate.
Are there any hidden fees when applying for an eTA Canada?
No government surcharges; only bank FX fees (1.5-3%) and third-party surcharges (up to $130+).
Can I pay for my eTA Canada in GBP, EUR or USD?
No. The IRCC portal accepts only CAD. Currency conversion happens at your bank’s rate, which will add a foreign transaction fee depending on your card issuer.
Is there a family discount for the eTA Canada application?
No. Each traveller must pay $7 CAD separately. For a family of 4, the total cost is $28 CAD (approximately £16.40).
Can I get a refund if my eTA Canada is denied?
No. The fee is non-refundable in all cases, including denied applications, wrong passport data, or voluntary withdrawal. The only exception is an accidental duplicate charge.
What should I do if my eTA Canada payment fails or is declined?
Check your banking app for SCA approval or SMS. If declined, contact your bank. Do not refresh the page during the session.
What if I was charged twice for my eTA Canada application?
Contact IRCC via the Government of Canada web form. Processing takes 30+ business days.
Can I pay for someone else’s eTA Canada with my card?
Yes. The card used for payment can be in any name, including the applicant’s, an organization’s, or a third party’s.
Do I need an eTA if I already hold a valid Canadian visitor visa?
No. A valid visitor visa waives the eTA requirement, and you should not pay the $7 CAD fee. Verify your visa status on the Government of Canada website before applying.
Do I need to print my eTA Canada payment receipt?
No. The receipt is not required for travel as the eTA is linked to your passport electronically. You can download it from your IRCC online account for personal or business expense records.
Editorial independence: this page is not affiliated with the Government of Canada, IRCC, or any third-party eTA agency. We do not accept payment from visa agents and earn nothing if you apply.
