Non-UK citizens living in the UK can apply for an eTA Canada for UK residents online if their passport is from a visa-exempt country. UK residency status like Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Settled Status does not affect eligibility; only passport nationality matters. The eTA costs CAD $7.
The Canada eTA is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Most applications are approved within minutes via email, though processing can extend to several days if supporting documents are requested.
When applying through the Government of Canada website, you will enter your UK residence details alongside your actual nationality. Ensure your passport is valid for the length of your planned stay, and apply at least 72 hours before your flight departure.
What Is the Canada eTA?
The Canada eTA is a CAD $7 electronic travel authorization linked to a passport, valid for up to 5 years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first, required for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to Canada. An eTA allows stays of up to 6 months per visit with unlimited visits during the validity period. A Border Services Officer makes the final admission decision at arrival. An eTA is not required when arriving by car, bus, train, or boat.
- Canadian citizens and dual nationals: Cannot apply for an eTA and must use a valid Canadian passport.
- U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents: Exempt from the eTA requirement but must carry proof of U.S. status and a valid passport from their country of nationality.
- Transit through Canada: An eTA is required for air transit; a transit visa is an alternative for non-exempt nationals.
Do I Need an eTA If I Have ILR or Settled Status?
Canada determines eTA eligibility solely by passport nationality. Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Settled Status, and the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) are UK immigration documents that have no effect on Canadian entry requirements. A non-UK citizen pursuing an eTA Canada for UK residents must qualify through their passport, not through UK residency status.
An Indian passport holder with ILR needs a TRV; a German passport holder with settled status qualifies for an eTA because Germany is visa-exempt. The BRP does not replace a Canadian eTA and is not requested by IRCC during the application. Holders of a 1951 Convention Refugee Travel Document or a stateless person’s travel document cannot apply for an eTA and must obtain a TRV instead.
| UK Immigration Status | Passport Nationality | eTA Eligible? | What to Apply For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ILR | Visa-exempt (e.g., France, Germany, Australia) | ✅ Yes | Canada eTA |
| ILR | Visa-required (e.g., India, Nigeria, Philippines) | ❌ No | Canadian Visitor Visa (TRV) |
| Settled Status | Visa-exempt | ✅ Yes | Canada eTA |
| Settled Status | Visa-required | ❌ No | Canadian Visitor Visa (TRV) |
| Pre-Settled Status | Visa-exempt | ✅ Yes | Canada eTA |
| Pre-Settled Status | Visa-required | ❌ No | Canadian Visitor Visa (TRV) |
| Refugee Travel Document | Any | ❌ No | Canadian Visitor Visa (TRV) |
| Stateless travel document | Any | ❌ No | Canadian Visitor Visa (TRV) |
Which Passport Should I Use if I’m a Dual National Living in the UK?
Dual nationals in the UK must apply for a Canada eTA for UK residents using their visa-exempt passport, as UK residency is irrelevant to Canadian entry rules. If one passport is visa-exempt and the other is visa-required, apply using the visa-exempt one. If both passports are visa-exempt, choose one and travel on it, as the eTA is linked to the specific passport used.
- French-Indian dual national: Use the French passport for the eTA; the Indian passport requires a TRV.
- German-Nigerian dual national: Use the German passport for the eTA; the Nigerian passport requires a TRV.
- British-Canadian dual national: Cannot apply for an eTA and must use a valid Canadian passport.
eTA vs Canadian Visitor Visa (TRV) and What You Need
Visa-exempt holders: CAD $7 eTA, processed in minutes. Visa-required: apply for a Canadian Visitor Visa (TRV) via VFS Global, weeks to months.
| Feature | eTA | TRV (Visitor Visa) |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Visa-exempt passport holders | Visa-required passport holders |
| Fee | CAD $7 | Higher (check IRCC) |
| Application method | Online (IRCC portal) | Online (IRCC) + VFS Global biometrics appointment |
| Processing time | Minutes to several days | Weeks to months |
| Validity | Up to 5 years or until passport expires | Varies by application |
| UK biometrics location | Not required | VFS Global centres: London and Edinburgh (check VFS Global website for addresses) |
| Apply when | At least 72 hours before departure | At least 4-8 weeks before departure |
Non-UK citizens applying for an eTA Canada for UK residents need only three items: a valid non-UK passport from a visa-exempt country, a credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard), and an email address. The BRP and proof of ILR or settled status are not required by IRCC for the eTA application.
How to Apply for a Canada eTA and Return to the UK
Non-UK citizens with ILR or Settled Status apply for their eTA Canada for UK residents through the IRCC online portal by entering passport details and paying CAD $7. When I applied for my eTA from London with German settled status, my approval email arrived in 4 minutes. A friend with an Indian passport and ILR had to book a TRV appointment at VFS London. The difference is entirely passport-based, not residency-based.
Get your non-UK passport and payment card ready
Have your passport from a visa-exempt country and a valid credit or debit card on hand.
Open the IRCC online form
Access the form on the Government of Canada website.
Enter your passport details
Copy the number from the top of the photo page.
Set your residence and citizenship
Set “Country of Residence” to United Kingdom and “Citizenship” to your actual nationality.
Pay the CAD $7 fee
Pay by credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Visa Debit, or Debit Mastercard).
Submit and wait for email confirmation
Approval typically arrives within minutes.
If no confirmation arrives after 72 hours, submit an enquiry via the IRCC tracking tool. Do NOT use unauthorised commercial websites that charge extra fees. Apply before booking your flight and never book non-refundable flights before eTA is confirmed.
Before You Leave: Your UK Digital Status and Return Travel
Non-UK citizens returning from Canada must have UKVI share codes and digital immigration status ready for airline verification at check-in during the 2026 eVisa transition. Generate a share code before departure at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status. Have your UKVI account access details ready and carry your BRP as backup. If digital status cannot be verified at the gate, contact UKVI or your airline helpline immediately.
FAQ: eTA Canada for UK residents
Can I apply for a Canada eTA with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?
Yes. ILR does not affect eTA eligibility. Canada assesses by passport nationality: visa-exempt means eTA, visa-required means TRV.
Do I need to show my BRP when applying for a Canada eTA?
No. BRP is not required for the eTA application. The eTA is linked to your passport, not your UK immigration status. Carry your BRP for UK border verification on your return.
What happens if my Canada eTA is refused?
You may need to apply for a TRV instead. Common reasons: security concerns, previous immigration violations, or incorrect passport details. If the refusal was due to a data entry error, reapply with corrected information and pay CAD $7 again.
Can I travel to Canada with an eTA on a non-UK passport from the UK?
Yes. You must travel on the non-UK passport linked to your eTA. Airline staff verify your eTA at check-in by scanning your passport. Boarding will be denied without a valid eTA linked to the specific passport you present.
Do my children need a separate eTA?
Yes. Every traveller, including babies and minors, needs their own eTA at CAD $7 per person. For children travelling alone or with one parent, Canadian border officials may request a consent letter from the non-travelling parent or guardians.
I hold two passports. Which one should I use for the eTA?
Use the passport from a visa-exempt country. If both are visa-exempt, choose one and travel on it. British-Canadian dual nationals cannot apply for an eTA and must use a Canadian passport.
How do I check my eTA application status?
Use the IRCC online tracking tool on the canada.ca website. If you have not received a confirmation email within 72 hours, submit an enquiry via the IRCC contact form with your passport number and application reference.
I have a UK Refugee Travel Document. Can I apply for a Canada eTA?
No. Holders of 1951 Convention Travel Documents or stateless persons’ travel documents are not eligible for an eTA. Apply for a TRV instead.
How do I fill “Country of Residence” on the eTA form when I live in the UK?
Enter “United Kingdom” as your country of residence and your actual nationality as your citizenship. Do not enter Canada or your country of citizenship as your residence. Canada assesses eTA eligibility based on your citizenship, not your UK residency.
How far in advance should I apply for a Canada eTA?
Apply at least 72 hours before departure. Most eTA applications are approved within minutes by email. If applying for a TRV instead, apply at least 4 to 8 weeks before departure.
Are there any 2026 changes to eTA rules for UK residents?
As of September 2026, IRCC has not introduced changes affecting non-UK citizens with settled status. The eTA fee remains CAD $7. We monitor IRCC updates and will revise this guide if rules change.
This is an independent travel information portal, not affiliated with the Government of Canada or UKVI. eTA fees (CAD $7) are set by IRCC and may change. Always verify on the canada.ca website before applying.
Sources: IRCC eTA page (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html), UKVI eVisa guidance (gov.uk), VFS Global Canada UK. All information verified as of September 2026. Last updated: September 2026.
