The eTA (electronic travel authorization) is required for visa-exempt foreign nationals, including UK citizens, who fly to Canada or transit through a Canadian airport. It is requested only on canada.ca, costs CAN$7 and is valid for up to five years, or until the passport expires. US citizens are not asked to apply for one.
This guide explains who needs the eTA, what you need to fill in the form, the response time, the mistakes to avoid (passport number) and how it differs from a visa or work permit. Information checked on 12 November 2026 on the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), plus the U.S. Department of State and UK FCDO pages for Canada.
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The essentials on the Canada eTA
- Official site: canada.ca; apply only on this site.
- Price: CAN$7 per person, non-refundable.
- Validity: up to 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
- Stays: as many trips as you like, normally up to 6 months at a time.
- Who: visa-exempt foreign nationals arriving by air or transiting through a Canadian airport (UK citizens, for example). No eTA by land or sea, according to GOV.UK.
- Time: most applications are approved within minutes; if documents are needed, you receive an email with instructions within 72 hours.
Who needs an eTA for Canada?
According to IRCC (page dated 5 June 2026, read on 12 November 2026), the eTA applies to visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air, or transiting through a Canadian airport. Dual Canadian citizens need a Canadian passport.
US citizens
The U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025) says US citizens do not need a tourist visa to visit Canada for less than 180 days, that visits longer than 180 days generally require a visa, and that they can enter with a valid U.S. passport, passport card or NEXUS card. The page does not mention an eTA for US citizens. If you are unsure, use the official « check what you need » tool on canada.ca.
UK citizens
The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 2 June 2026) says most people need a visa or an eTA to enter or transit through Canada, not both. UK citizens do not need a visa for short visits (normally up to 6 months), but may need an eTA instead. You do not need an eTA if you arrive by land or sea (you must have acceptable travel documents and ID), or if you are a British-Canadian dual national, who must have a valid Canadian passport. If you transit through Canada by air, you must have an eTA or a transit visa. Your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay.
If you combine Canada and the United States, UK citizens need the eTA for the flight to Canada and an ESTA for the US: see our ESTA guide.
Canada eTA price: CAN$7
The official site says it right away: the eTA costs just CAN$7, non-refundable. You can pay by Visa, Mastercard or American Express (including prepaid versions), Visa Debit or Debit Mastercard, UnionPay or JCB, according to IRCC (page dated 28 August 2026). Each application is for one person only: for a family, you need one application per traveller.
How to apply for an eTA
- First check which documents you need with the tool on canada.ca (nationality, means of transport, reason for travel).
- Get ready: your passport, a valid email address and an accepted payment method.
- Fill in the online form on canada.ca. It is available in English and French, cannot be saved, so have your information ready.
- Enter the passport number carefully: the one at the top of the photo page. A wrong number will cause trouble when you try to board.
- Pay the CAN$7 right after completing the form and wait for the reply email.
- Check the approval email: if the passport number shown does not match yours, you need to apply again.
Response time: when to apply
According to IRCC, most applications are approved within minutes. If you have to submit documents, you receive an email with instructions within 72 hours. The Canadian government advises applying for the eTA before booking your flight.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Wrong passport number: copy the number from the photo page and compare it with the approval email.
- eTA requested with an old passport: the eTA is linked to the passport you applied with; after you get a new passport you need a new eTA (IRCC).
- One application for the whole family: not possible; each traveller, children included, needs their own eTA and their own payment.
- Using an intermediary site: you pay more for the same form.
- Waiting until the day before departure: most replies come quickly, but if documents are requested, you have to allow up to 72 hours for the instructions.
Before you confirm, also check the passport expiry date, the spelling of your names and your email address: the decision and any requests for documents arrive by email. If the email does not arrive, check your junk folder before applying again, so you do not pay twice.
GOV.UK says you can check your eTA status online with the Canadian government, and that if 72 hours have passed since you applied without confirmation, you should complete an enquiry form.
Length of stay and checks on arrival
A valid eTA lets you travel to Canada as often as you like for short stays, normally up to six months at a time (IRCC). On arrival, have your passport, your address in Canada and your return or onward ticket ready: according to GOV.UK, Canadian border officials may ask you to show a return or onward ticket and proof that you have enough funds for your stay, even if you are staying with family or friends. If a child travels alone or with only one parent or guardian, GOV.UK says they should carry a letter of consent from the non-travelling parents or guardians, and the U.S. Department of State says the same if you travel with a minor without having full custody.
eTA validity and changing passport
The eTA is electronically linked to the passport used for the application. It is valid for up to five years or until that passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need a new eTA. At check-in, airline staff scan the passport to check the eTA: without a valid authorisation, you cannot board.
An eTA does not guarantee entry: on arrival, a border services officer checks your passport and documents and makes the final decision on whether you may enter.
eTA, visa or work permit: what to apply for
| Plan | Document | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism or visit, arriving by air | eTA (visa-exempt foreign nationals) | canada.ca |
| Arriving by land or sea | No eTA (acceptable travel documents and ID) | — |
| Working holiday | Work permit under International Experience Canada (eligibility depends on nationality and age) | canada.ca, IEC programme |
| Study, work, settling | Study permit, work permit or permanent residence | canada.ca |
An eTA does not authorise work or study: you generally need a work or study permit, and IRCC says an eTA is issued automatically if one is approved.
Fake eTA websites
Beware of unofficial sites. GOV.UK warns that some unauthorised websites charge for submitting visa applications and that these sites are not associated with the Canadian government. The official page says: « This is the Government of Canada’s official website to apply for an eTA », and it quotes the price of CAN$7. Check the address of the site before you enter your passport and bank card details. Anything higher is an intermediary’s fee.
Planning your trip to Canada
Our Canada guide covers the regions and budget; to choose your dates, see when to go to Canada. We also have pages on Quebec and Vancouver. Medical costs can be high for a visitor: compare cover with our travel insurance guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Canada eTA cost?
CAN$7 per person, non-refundable, on the official canada.ca website.
How long is the eTA valid?
Up to five years, or until the passport expires if that comes first. A new passport means a new eTA.
Do you need an eTA to drive into Canada?
No. The eTA applies to arrivals by air or transit through a Canadian airport. By land or sea you do not need one, according to GOV.UK, but you must have acceptable travel documents and ID.
How long does it take to get an eTA?
A few minutes in most cases, according to IRCC; if documents are requested, you receive instructions by email within 72 hours. Apply before you book the flight.
How long can you stay in Canada with an eTA?
Normally up to six months at a time; the officer at the border decides.
Do you need an eTA for a stopover in Canada?
Yes, for air transit through a Canadian airport (an eTA or a transit visa, according to GOV.UK).
Do you need to print the eTA?
No: the eTA is electronically linked to your passport. At check-in, the airline scans the passport used for the application to check it has a valid eTA. So travel with that passport.
Does my child need an eTA?
Yes, if arriving by air and a visa-exempt foreign national: each traveller needs their own eTA. The site lets you pay for one person at a time, so you need one application per child.
What if my eTA is not processed within minutes?
Some applications need supporting documents. Watch your email (including junk) for instructions within 72 hours and check the status with the online service on canada.ca.
Do US citizens need an eTA?
The U.S. Department of State page for Canada says US citizens do not need a tourist visa for stays under 180 days and can enter with a passport, passport card or NEXUS card; it does not mention an eTA. Check the IRCC tool if you are unsure.
Our sources
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (canada.ca): eTA and « Apply for an eTA » (page dated 28 August 2026), read on 12 November 2026.
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Canada, entry requirements (GOV.UK, updated 2 June 2026).
- U.S. Department of State, Canada country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025).
- Canada.ca, International Experience Canada, read on 14 October 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.