By the editorial team. Last updated: September 2026. This guide was verified against the Government of Canada eTA page on canada.ca. Our Canada visa content is researched using government sources and reviewed before publication.
British citizens do not need a visa for Canada. A $7 CAD eTA Canada for tourists covers short leisure and business trips by air. The eTA is valid for up to 5 years, allowing multiple entries with stays of up to 6 months each. Online applications are typically approved within minutes.
The eTA is linked to your passport and required for visa-exempt air travellers. The eTA does not guarantee entry, as the final decision rests with a Canada Border Services Agency officer upon arrival.
British passport holders need only a valid passport (valid for the length of your planned stay), an email address, and a credit or debit card to complete the process. If you get a new passport, you must apply for a new eTA.
What Is the Canada eTA and Who Needs It?
The Canada eTA is a $7 CAD digital travel authorization electronically linked to your passport, required for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to Canada.
The eTA was introduced in 2016 for visa-exempt air travellers. British citizens holding a standard UK passport are eligible and do not need a visitor visa. The eTA Canada for tourists covers both leisure and short business trips.
The eTA applies exclusively to air travel and transit. Travellers arriving by car, bus, train, or boat, including cruise ships, do not need one. British-Canadian dual nationals cannot apply for an eTA and must instead travel on a valid Canadian passport. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents of the U.S. are also exempt from the requirement entirely. Canadian permanent residents must carry a valid permanent resident card instead.
eTA Canada for Tourists: Validity and Conditions
A Canada eTA is valid for up to five years or until passport expiry, allowing multiple entries with stays of up to six months each. According to the Government of Canada eTA page, the authorization remains linked to the passport used at application.
The eTA Canada for tourists is tied to the passport used at application. When that passport expires or is replaced, the eTA is void and a new application is required.
The eTA does not guarantee entry. A Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer determines admissibility at the port of entry and may grant a shorter stay. Travellers wishing to remain beyond six months must apply for a visitor record before their current status expires. A short side-trip to the United States does not reset the six-month visitor clock; the original admission period continues upon re-entry to Canada.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Validity period | Up to 5 years or until passport expiry (whichever comes first) |
| Maximum stay per entry | Up to 6 months |
| Entries permitted | Multiple |
| Entry decision | Determined by CBSA border services officer |
| Extension mechanism | Visitor record application (before status expires) |
How to Apply for the eTA Canada for Tourists – Step by Step
British citizens apply for the Canada eTA online via the IRCC portal for $7 CAD, needing only a valid passport, email address, and a payment card. Visa-exempt UK citizens do not need to provide biometrics.
Gather documents
A valid British passport, a credit or debit card, and a working email address.
Complete the online form
Enter your passport number exactly as it appears on the photo page to avoid boarding issues.
Pay the fee
The eTA costs $7 CAD per applicant, charged once per person.
Submit and wait
The eTA is processed automatically by IRCC and is usually approved within minutes by email.
Check for delays
If no confirmation arrives within 72 hours, submit an enquiry via the IRCC portal, as supporting documents may be requested, extending processing to several days.
Apply before booking flights
Obtain the eTA Canada for tourists prior to reserving any air travel to Canada.
Apply only at canada.ca to avoid extra fees from unauthorised third-party websites. In our review of the eTA application process, approval emails typically arrived within minutes, and the same authorization remained linked to the passport for subsequent trips within the five-year validity window.
Business Visits and Remote Work Under an eTA
The same $7 CAD eTA Canada for tourists covers short business visits, but only specific activities like meetings and conferences are permitted without a work permit.
The eTA Canada for tourists enables British professionals to attend trade shows, negotiate contracts, conduct site inspections, and perform after-sales service. Performing remote work for a UK employer while in Canada occupies a legal grey area: no explicit prohibition exists, but travellers should avoid working from a Canadian client’s office or invoicing Canadian entities.
| Permitted Without a Work Permit | Requires a Work Permit |
|---|---|
| Meetings, conferences, trade shows | Paid employment in Canada |
| Contract negotiations, site visits | Labour placement or hiring |
| After-sales service (short-term) | Operating a business in Canada |
Can You Work Remotely in Canada on an eTA?
Remote work for a UK employer while in Canada on an eTA Canada for tourists is not explicitly prohibited by IRCC. However, working from a Canadian client’s office or invoicing Canadian entities risks being classified as unauthorised employment. If in doubt, limit remote activity to checking emails from your hotel.
Common Mistakes When Applying for the Canada eTA
Typos in passport numbers, using unauthorised websites, and applying too late are the most frequent and avoidable eTA errors. The eTA Canada for tourists requires your passport number exactly as it appears on the photo page. A wrong number means a new application and a new $7 CAD fee.
- Typographical errors in passport data trigger automatic rejection by IRCC.
- Using third-party sites that charge extra fees above the $7 CAD government cost.
- Applying too late – allow at least 72 hours before departure in case supporting documents are requested.
- Forgetting to reapply after getting a new passport, as the eTA is linked to one specific document.
What Border Officers Check on Arrival
On landing, a CBSA border services officer will verify your passport, return or onward ticket, proof of sufficient funds, and purpose of visit. Have printed copies of hotel bookings and business invitation letters in your hand luggage. Officers may ask about your planned activities and length of stay. For detailed UK travel advice, consult the gov.uk Canada entry requirements page.
Health Insurance for UK Travellers in Canada
Travel insurance is essential. The UK has no reciprocal healthcare agreement with Canada, and the GHIC does not apply. Emergency hospital treatment can cost thousands of CAD per day. Consult TravelHealthPro’s Canada guide before departure.
Before you fly: check your eTA status on the IRCC portal to confirm it is still valid and linked to your current passport.
FAQ: Canada eTA for tourists
Do I need an eTA for Canada as a UK citizen?
Yes. British citizens are visa-exempt foreign nationals and must obtain an eTA Canada for tourists when flying to or transiting through Canada. You do not need an eTA if you arrive by land or sea. Dual Canadian citizens cannot apply and must use a valid Canadian passport.
How much is a Canada eTA from the UK?
The application fee is $7 CAD, payable by credit or debit card. Apply only at canada.ca to avoid extra fees from unauthorised sites.
How long does eTA Canada take for tourists?
Standard processing is within minutes by email. If supporting documents are requested, it can take several days. Submit an enquiry via the IRCC portal if no confirmation arrives within 72 hours.
What happens if I don’t have an eTA?
If you arrive at the airport without a valid eTA, airline staff will deny boarding. The eTA is a mandatory entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. Ensure your application is approved before booking your flight to avoid travel disruptions.
Can my eTA be revoked after issuance?
Yes. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can revoke an eTA if your eligibility circumstances change, such as a new criminal record, misrepresentation, or national security concerns. IRCC communicates revocations via the email address provided during application. Always check your eTA status online before travelling.
Does a short trip to the US reset my 6-month visitor period?
No. A side-trip to the US does not reset your 6-month visitor period if you re-enter Canada within the original admission period. Only a full departure from North America, such as flying back to the UK, restarts the 6-month clock for your next entry.
Do I need to give biometrics for a Canada eTA?
No. UK citizens applying for an eTA Canada for tourists do not need biometrics. That requirement applies only to visitor visa applicants at a Visa Application Centre.
What documents do I need for a business visit to Canada?
Border officers commonly request a corporate invitation letter on company letterhead, proof of employment, conference registration, a return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds. Carry these in your hand luggage.
