To apply for a Canada eTA, UK travellers need three items: a valid passport, a working email address, and a credit or debit card for the CAD $7 fee. The form also asks for personal details, passport data, travel plans, employment history, declared funds, and background answers. Approvals are emailed, usually within minutes, so gather the eTA Canada required documents checklist below before starting.
Last updated: September 2026. This is an informational guide for UK travellers, not a government website. Always verify details at canada.ca/eta. September 2026 update: confirmed UnionPay acceptance and current CAD $7 fee.
What You Need Before Starting Your eTA Canada Application
The eTA Canada required documents come down to three essentials before opening the Canada eTA form: a valid UK passport, a working email address, and a credit or debit card for the CAD $7 fee (Source: IRCC, canada.ca/eta).
A Valid Passport
The most critical requirement is a valid passport from a visa-exempt country. UK passport holders qualify with ordinary, diplomatic, official, service, or emergency/temporary passports. Refugee travel documents and alien passports do not qualify. Your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay; transit hubs may require 6 months remaining validity (Source: gov.uk). One common scenario: a traveller transiting via a third country was denied boarding because their passport had less than 6 months validity. Double-check your passport expiry before starting your Canada eTA application.
A Working Email Address
IRCC delivers your eTA approval via email, so provide an address you can access on your phone or laptop. If no confirmation arrives within 72 hours, check your spam or junk folder before submitting an online enquiry through the IRCC portal.
A Credit or Debit Card for the CAD $7 Fee
The application fee is CAD $7 per applicant, paid in a single transaction. Accepted brands: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, and UnionPay. No PayPal, Apple Pay, or bank transfer. Third-party sites charge £30-£80 for the same service. Apply only at canada.ca/eta.
Complete eTA Application Checklist: Every Field You’ll Fill In
The eTA Canada application document checklist below covers 15+ fields: personal details, passport info, employment, address, funds, and background questions, listed for pre-application preparation.
Personal Details
- ☐ Full legal name (as printed on passport; enter apostrophes as shown, e.g., D’Orsay, O’Neil)
- ☐ Date of birth, gender, country of birth
- ☐ Marital status (married, single, divorced, common-law, widowed, separated)
- ☐ Residential address (full UK home address with postal code)
- ☐ Phone number (with country code, e.g., +44)
- ☐ Email address
Passport Information
- ☐ Passport number (8 to 11 characters, letters and numbers combined, no spaces; enter from the top of the information page, not the machine-readable zone; beware confusing letter “I” with number “1”)
- ☐ Passport country code (three-letter code from the “Authority” field)
- ☐ Date of issue and date of expiry
- ☐ Additional citizenships held (disclose all)
- ☐ UCI (Unique Client Identifier). Select “No” if applying for the first time.
Travel & Background Questions
- ☐ Purpose of travel (tourism, business, transit; no confirmed flight required)
- ☐ Employment details (occupation, employer, city, starting year)
- ☐ Previous Canadian applications or visa/eTA refusals
- ☐ Criminal convictions (answer truthfully)
- ☐ Active tuberculosis diagnosis or close contact with a TB case (yes/no)
- ☐ Approximate declared funds for the trip (estimate only, no bank statements)
The machine-readable zone (MRZ) sits below your photo. If a name is truncated there, enter the full spelling from the upper portion of the passport. Filial terms such as “bint” or father’s names must not appear in the name fields. An incorrect passport number means boarding will be denied and you must reapply for a new Canada eTA (Source: canada.ca).
eTA for UK Travellers: Rules, Exemptions, and Travelling with Children
British passport holders are visa-exempt and need a Canada eTA only for air travel, normally up to 6 months per visit. Land and sea entries require no eTA (Source: gov.uk).
- British passport holders: visa-exempt; eTA required for air travel only
- US citizens: exempt from eTA; must carry a valid US passport
- US Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders): exempt; carry Green Card plus valid passport from country of nationality
- Students and temporary workers with a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) in their passport do not need a separate eTA
- Proof of funds and return ticket: NOT required for the eTA application but may be requested at the Canadian border by a Canada Border Services Agency officer
Dual Citizens (British-Canadian)
British-Canadian dual nationals are exempt from the Canada eTA requirement and must instead travel on a valid Canadian passport. Canadian permanent residents also cannot apply for an eTA; they need a valid permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document, as PR status does not expire.
Travelling with Children
For minors, a signed consent letter from the non-travelling parent or guardian is recommended. The letter should include the child’s full name, travel dates, name of the accompanying adult, and contact details for the non-accompanying parent. Canadian immigration officers may question children using simple, appropriate language to assess concerns about child abduction. For further guidance, contact the Canadian High Commission in the UK.
After You Submit: Processing Time, Validity, and Scam Warnings
Most Canada eTA decisions arrive via email within minutes, but manual review can take several days. Use the IRCC online enquiry form if no response arrives within 72 hours (Source: gov.uk).
Processing Timeline
Within minutes (standard)
The approval email contains your eTA number and linked passport number. No printed copy is needed; the eTA is electronically linked to your passport and verified by scanning at check-in.
Several days (manual review)
IRCC may email requesting supporting documents.
72-hour follow-up
If no confirmation arrives within 72 hours, submit an online enquiry via the IRCC website (Source: gov.uk).
At the airport
Present the same passport used for your application or boarding will be denied.
How Long Is an eTA Valid?
Valid for up to 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Multiple entries are permitted; each stay normally up to 6 months. A new passport invalidates your existing eTA, requiring a new application. The Canada eTA does not guarantee entry; a border services officer decides upon arrival.
Beware of Third-Party eTA Websites
The only legitimate site is canada.ca/eta, charging CAD $7 per person. Third-party sites in Google Ads charge £30-£80 for the same service. Report overcharges to Action Fraud (UK) and apply on the government portal.
eTA Canada Required Documents: FAQ
Do I need a confirmed flight to apply for an eTA?
No. The form asks only for approximate travel plans and purpose of visit. No flight number or confirmed date is required.
What health questions are asked on the eTA application form?
The form asks whether you have active tuberculosis or recent close contact with someone with TB. It is a simple yes/no. No medical examination is required at the application stage.
I hold two passports. Which one do I enter on the eTA form?
Apply with the passport you will fly on, and disclose all citizenships. British-Canadian dual nationals cannot apply for eTA. They must travel on a valid Canadian passport.
Can someone else apply for an eTA on my behalf?
Yes. The first question on the form asks if you are applying on behalf of someone. A parent, guardian, paid or unpaid representative, including a travel agent, can complete the application and may authorise IRCC to share case-file information with them.
Do I need to show proof of funds for the eTA application?
No supporting bank statements are required at the application stage. The form asks for an approximate estimate of funds available for your trip. However, a border services officer may request proof of sufficient funds upon arrival in Canada.
Do I need an eTA if I am transiting through a Canadian airport?
Yes. Air transit through Canada requires either an eTA or a transit visa. If arriving by land or sea, an eTA is not required.
What is a UCI and do I need one?
UCI stands for Unique Client Identifier. It is a file number assigned by IRCC to anyone who has previously applied for a Canadian visa, permit, or eTA. First-time applicants should select “No” when asked. If you have a UCI from a previous application, enter it.
How do I check my eTA status after applying?
Use the “Check your application status” tool on canada.ca, entering your passport number and application details. If no confirmation email arrives within 72 hours, submit an online enquiry through the IRCC portal.
Do students and temporary workers need a separate eTA?
If you already hold a valid study permit or work permit with a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) sticker in your passport, you do not need a separate Canada eTA for travel. Your existing TRV covers your travel authorisation.
I have been refused a Canadian visa or eTA before. Can I still apply?
Yes, you can still apply, but you must answer truthfully on the form. The application asks whether you have previously been refused a visa or eTA. Providing false information or omitting past refusals can result in a ban from future applications.
