Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) Application

Updated on Sep 06, 2024 | Canada eTA

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) replaces the need for a Canada visa for Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It is an online travel permit for specific purposes of visit like business, tourism, and transit for a short-term stay. It is not available for all the country's citizens; only visa-exempt nations' people are eligible for specific requirements. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched the ETA program in 2015, and from 2016 onwards it has been implemented for visa-free countries.

What is Canada ETA?

Electronic Travel Authorization is a travel document that authorizes travelers to visit Canada by air for a short-term stay with specific visit motives. It acts as a prescreening of travelers for safe border security prospects. ETA is available with a set of conditions like

  • A traveler should be visiting Canada by air and must be landed at any Canadian airport.
  • Travelers are welcome to make a short stay, not more than six months.
  • Travelers can apply for ETA if they have either visit-purpose tourism, business matters, or transit.

Eligibility for Canada ETA

Eligibility is the essential step that must be successfully qualified during the Canada ETA process.

  • Only visa-exempt countries' citizenship holders can be eligible for ETA.
  • The applicant must have a valid and unexpired passport.
  • The applicant needs to maintain an active email address.
  • The applicant should possess an online payment method, such as a debit or credit card.

How to apply for Canada ETA application?

A traveler can apply for Canada ETA from anywhere, whether it is home, park, office, movie theater, or airport; they just need one thing needed, i.e., secure internet. Why? It is an online process and takes just 5-7 minutes for form filling if the applicant has all the data, whatever is required.

Step: Apply Online

Click Apply Online and complete the first portion of the personal data form:

  • Applicant's family/last name
  • Applicant's first and middle names
  • Applicant's Gender
  • Applicant's Date of Birth
  • Applicant's place of birth name
  • Applicant's birth country name
  • Applicant's active email ID
  • Applicant's marital status

Step: Fill out the passport details section of the application form

  • Applicant's passport/travel document type
  • Applicant's passport/travel country name
  • Applicant's passport number
  • Applicant's passport issued date

Step: Applicant's Permanent Address and Contact Details Section

  • Street number, name address
  • Town or city of resistance
  • Home country name or citizenship holder country name
  • Postal/zip code
  • State/district/province

Step: Applicant's travel details

  • Visit purpose (should be tourist, transit, or business)
  • Date of flight to Canada
  • Select Yes/no for ever traveling to Canada before this time

Step: The applicant's employment info section. It shows travelers' financial stability during a Canada trip

  • Applicant's occupation
  • Application's job title
  • Company or university name
  • Job start date year
  • Emplyment's place name (city/town/country)

Step: Pick yes or no for background questions

  • Have you ever encountered a situation where your visa or permit was revoked, you were denied entry, or you were ordered to leave Canada or another country?
  • Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a crime in another country?
  • Have you received a tuberculosis diagnosis within the last 24 months?
  • Do you have any of the following medical conditions: none, untreated symptoms, untreated alcoholism or addiction, or an untreated mental health problem involving psychosis?

Note: If the applicant picks yes to any of the security questions, then must ready all the documentation relevant to the matter.

Step: Review

The applicant has to review the entire application form details and go for the ETA application fee payment. Pay by active debit or credit card to get the results. The application will not be reviewed if the fee is not included.

After the Canada ETA form is filled, Next Steps

The applicant's ETA application is processed within minutes just after final submission. The traveler will notify you by email about the results, whether they are approved or not. The applicant will receive notification within a maximum of 72 hours, even in complex instances.  An email will contain the ETA reference number. Keep it safe; it will help to check ETA status online anytime in the future.

Do not worry; travelers do not need to provide the required ETA reference number on physical document paper. It will electronically connect with the traveler's passport.

When travelers reach the Canadian airport, the Authority will scan their passports to check whether the eTA is approved or not. They may ask some questions related to your background or trip; if the border authority is satisfied with the answers, they can allow for a final entry.

Canada ETA Validity and Extensions

The validity of an ETA cannot be extended after that point.  Once it is approved by the authority, the applicant will get five years of validity. Here is one condition that implies a passport's validity. Passports should be valid until the applicant's trip to Canada.

Let's see the perks of approved Canada ETA:

  • The applicant can enjoy multiple visits during ETA validity.
  • Applicants with an ETA can stay in Canada for up to six months on a single visit.

READ MORE:
What next after completing and making payment for eTA Canada Visa. After you apply for eTA Canada Visa: Next steps.


Check your eligibility for eTA Canada Visa and apply for eTA Canada Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. British citizens, Italian citizens, Spanish citizens, and Israeli citizens can apply online for eTA Canada Visa. Should you need any help or require any clarifications you should contact our helpdesk for support and guidance.