
Canada ETA: Apply Online for Your Travel Authorization
What you need to know
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The Canada ETA is a requirement for visa-exempt travelers who will arrive in Canada exclusively by air.
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The Canada ETA is valid for 5 years and you can enter the country multiple times.
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With the Canada ETA you can stay for a maximum of 180 days per visit.
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You can visit friends and family, do tourist and business activities, or travel for educational purposes.
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You can’t work with the Canada ETA.
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You must have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of your arrival in Canada.
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Use our Visa Checker Tool if you want to know if you need this document to visit Canada.
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Children need to apply for this travel document.
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You need this document to transit through a Canadian airport if you are a visa-exempt visitor that qualifies for this travel document.
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You will need to bring the passport you used to apply for your ETA, as the ETA is electronically linked to it. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETA.
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It is best to get an ETA before you book your flight to Canada.
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Once your ETA is approved, check that the passport number included in your ETA approval email matches the number in your passport. If they don’t match, you need to apply for a new ETA.
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There are no COVID-19 requirements to enter Canada.
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iVisa is a legitimate company and is accredited and recognized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information see the FAQs below.

Content updated, July 2023
Everything you need to know about Canada ETA: Apply with iVisa
If you are planning a trip to Canada, your first task will be assured you have the right travel documents to enter the country.
You will find everything you need to know about the Canada ETA and entering Canada for tourism purposes below.
Keep reading to find out how to apply for this travel document online using a quick, hassle-free, and completely digital application form.
What is the Canada ETA?
The Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is a travel document required for visa-exempt visitors to enter Canada.
The Canada ETA is valid for 5 years after the issue date. This means you must enter Canada within this period. In addition, it is a Multiple Entry visa and allows for a maximum stay of 180 days Per Entry.
Apply for your Canada ETA online here!
Who can apply for the Canada ETA?
The ETA document is a requirement only for visa-exempt travelers as we explained previously, but there are some factors that can exempt you from this document, depending on your nationality or other particular situations.
What am I allowed to do with the Canada ETA?
This travel document has many benefits. It allows you to:
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Visit family and friends.
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Do tourist activities.
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Do business activities.
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Do short studies or training.
PLEASE, NOTE: If you want to study for longer than 6 months or work, you should get a study or work permit before entering Canada.
Benefits of getting your Canada ETA with iVisa
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Application 100% Government Compliant: Our iVisa team will review each one of the answers you give on the form and adjust them to be 100% compliant with the government requirements.
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Simplified Form: While on the Embassy website, you will have to answer confusing and tedious questions, at iVisa, you will only have to answer a simplified form with clear questions. It will be like filling out a short survey.
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Fill out the form at your own pace: With the iVisa platform, you can fill out the form at your own pace, make changes whenever you want, and save your progress, so you do not have to start from scratch, unlike the embassy website which cuts you off from their website every time you take a break.
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iVisa values your safety: That is why we have a solid security system to protect your personal information. We recommend you go over to our reviews section and read what our past customers have said about our services. We’re sure you’ll find them to your liking.
What documents do I need to apply for the Canada ETA?
To apply for a Canada ETA, you have to give some personal information and some details about your intended stay in Canada. Fortunately, you only need one document to apply:
- Your valid ordinary passport. It needs to be valid for the duration of your stay in Canada.
Do you havethis document? Apply here!
How can I apply for this travel document online?
The online application process is very easy and fast with iVisa. You’ll just need to follow these three steps, and you’ll be done in less than 10 minutes!
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Step one: Fill out the visa application form with your personal information. Once you’re done, you can select how fast you want to receive your visa. We have three different speed options.
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Step two: Double-check that all the information in the visa application form is correct. We want to avoid any issues with your application. All the details need to match your supporting documents. Once you’re sure everything is correct, you can proceed to pay the visa fee with a credit/debit card or PayPal.
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Step three: Upload all the supporting documents and submit your visa application form. Make sure that the scan is clear and has no smudges. That’s it!
Once you finish the application process, we will send your ETA to your email. Make sure you have both documents ready to display to the immigration officers once you arrive at the airport.
Visit the FAQs below to learn about the COVID-19 requirements for Canada.
What is the cost to obtain a Canada ETA?
The Canada ETA government fee costs $5.27 USD. We include this fee in our service price, so you can pay all at once.
How long does it take to process my Canada ETA application?
It depends on the processing time you choose. We offer three options, each will have a different price according to the speed and your nationality:
- Standard Processing: 24 hours.
- Rush Processing: 6 hours.
- Super Rush Processing: 2 hours.
Do I need the Canada ETA to transit through the country?
You will need the Canada ETA to transit if you are from a visa-exempt country that qualifies for this travel document.
You don’t need the Canada ETA to transit if you are entering by train, boat, or cruise.
Do children need to apply for the Canada ETA?
Yes, children also need to apply for the Canada ETA.
Where can I learn more?
You can always reach out to our outstanding customer support team. They are available every day of the year, to answer any questions you might have about this or any other travel documents. They are incredibly helpful and experts in processing Digital Nomad Visas.
Ask iVisa
Have a visa question? We'll provide the answer.
Hi Carolyn,
When bringing food into Canada, you're required to declare all food items, including candies and chocolates. These types of sweets are generally allowed for personal use, but declaring them ensures a smooth process at customs. If you don't declare them, even unintentionally, it could lead to delays or penalties.
So, go ahead and pack your treats, but make sure to mention them on your declaration form. If you need any more information or assistance, feel free to ask.
Hey Blanche,
Since you and your husband are Australian passport holders, you don’t need a visa to enter Canada. What you’ll need instead is an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), but only if you're flying into Canada.
If you're arriving in Vancouver by plane, then yes, you’ll need the eTA, and once you’ve entered, it covers your entire stay. That means you're good to travel through Canada, including your stop in Quebec after the US leg of your journey.
Now, when you re-enter Canada from the US (say, by train), you don’t need to show an eTA again. For land or sea crossings, a valid passport is all that’s required.
So as long as your eTA and passports are valid, you're covered for the full Canadian trip (Vancouver, Quebec, and anywhere else you’d like to explore in between).
Hi Jacqui,
Since you’re flying to Canada, both you and your partner will need to get an eTA before your trip. It’s valid for multiple trips over five years, or until your passport expires.
You can apply through the government’s site, but a lot of travelers end up second-guessing the steps, or worse, submitting the wrong information and having to start over.
That’s why so many people use our service instead. We make the application feel less like paperwork and more like planning a great trip. We guide you through every step, help with your uploads, and do a final review to catch anything that could hold things up.
Hi Gabriel,
If you've lost your eTA confirmation, don't worry. The eTA is electronically linked to your passport, so as long as you're using the same passport, you should be fine.
Still, if you’d like to double-check your eTA status or get another copy for peace of mind, you can do that online through the Canadian government’s eTA check status tool. Just have your passport and the email you used when you applied.
Next time, if you’d prefer not to lose track of these things, apply through us. We send you organized confirmations, helpful reminders, and everything is saved in one place, so you’re never digging through old emails again.
Hi Sapna,
You’re right; the Canadian side of Niagara Falls is where the real wow factor is, especially the view of Horseshoe Falls. Unfortunately, to cross the border, you'll need a Canada Visitor Visa. Indian passport holders aren't eligible for the eTA, and Canada doesn't offer short-term or 24-hour visas at the border. It's best to apply for a visitor visa before your trip.
The main difference between an eTA and a regular visa is the purpose and duration it covers, along with the ease of application.
An eTA is suitable for visa-exempt foreign nationals who plan to fly to or transit through Canada. It’s valid for five years or until the passport expires, and it allows you to stay in Canada for short periods (normally up to six months at a time). The application process is entirely online and is usually processed very quickly.
A regular Canadian visa is required for those who do not fall under the visa-exempt category or are coming to Canada by methods other than air (like land or sea). This is also for those who may be staying longer or for purposes other than tourism or short visits.
For your trip to Toronto from Mexico City, the eTA would be the right document to apply for, provided you’re flying into Canada and you’re from a visa-exempt country. It's simpler and quicker to obtain compared to a regular visa.
Canada Visa (ETA) Certified customer reviews
How to Apply: Visa (ETA)
Complete our easy online application and pay with credit card or PayPal
No need to deal with the embassy. We do it for you so you don't lose valuable time
Present your Passport and the Document we provide upon entry to destination country
How to Apply: Embassy Registration
Complete our easy online application and pay with credit card or PayPal
Your embassy will assist you if an emergency (eg. Natural disasters, civil unrest, etc) occur
Why Register with the Embassy
Required Information to Apply
Once You Have Registered With Your Embassy Or Consulate, You Will Need To Update Your Data If:
- your contact details change,
- your civil status changes,
- you are going back to your home country.
Questions?
My application couldn’t be completed due to an error. What now?
My ETA has been canceled. What can I do?
iVisa review your documents and assist you during the application process to avoid rejection. But if the Canadian government rejects or cancels your application, you are eligible for a full refund of the iVisa processing fee related to the number of rejected applicants. Otherwise, we do not refund the government fees.
You may consider re-applying for the Canada ETA, depending on the reasons for cancellation or rejection.
I have U.S. permanent residency (Green Card). Do I need a visa or an eTA to visit Canada, or can I use my Green Card?
What are the possible reasons for refusal?
Is my eTA still valid if my passport has expired/changed?
Do I need the eTA if entering Canada on a private boat?
How do processing times work?
Where can I read more?
- Do citizens of the United Arab Emirates need a Canada Visa or Canada ETA?
- How to get a Canada ETA for the citizens of Brazil
- Canada Visa for Irish Passport Holders
- Which vaccines do I need to travel to Canada?
- Canada Visitor Visa invitation letter: A comprehensive guide
- How to get a Canadian Visitor Visa as a Nigerian citizen
- Canada ETA for German citizens: How to apply
- How to apply for a Canada Visitor Visa as a Nepalese citizen
- Canada visitor visa for Chinese citizens
- Toronto Airport Departure Guide: Start your journey from Canada with ease
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