This is the Government of Canada’s official web page to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through, a Canadian airport. It only costs CAN$7. Find out what it is and how to apply online.

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Electronic travel authorization (eTA): How to apply

Visitor visa and electronic travel authorization (eTA) requirements for citizens of Mexico changed on February 29, 2024, at 11:30 p.m. ET

As of 11:30 p.m. ET on February 29, 2024,

  • you need to meet new requirements to be eligible for an eTA
  • if you had an eTA before 11:30 p.m. ET on February 29, 2024, it has been cancelled unless you also have a valid work or study permit
  • if you had an eTA application in progress at the time, you need to apply for a new eTA or for a visitor visa
  • before you travel to Canada, you need to apply for a new eTA if you’re eligible
  • if you’re no longer eligible for an eTA, you need to apply for a visitor visa to travel to Canada

Learn more about the new requirements.

You either need a visa or an eTA, not both

If you’re visa-required and eligible for an eTA but already have a valid Canadian visa, you don’t need to apply for an eTA. You can travel with your visa until it expires.

The eTA application process

Applying for an eTA is a simple online process. You should apply for an eTA before you book your flight.

  1. Get your passport and credit or debit card ready, and read the application help document, which is available in several languages.
  2. Use the online form to apply.
  3. Pay CAN$7 for your eTA right after you complete the form.
  4. Get an email about your eTA application.
    • Most applications are approved within minutes, but some can take longer.
    • You may need to submit additional documents before your application can be approved.
      1. If this happens to you, an email will be sent with instructions within 72 hours.

An eTA doesn’t let you work or study in Canada

An eTA allows you to travel to Canada by air, but doesn’t let you work or study. Most people need a work permit to work in Canada or a study permit to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. If we approve your work or study permit, we’ll automatically issue you an eTA.

Find out if you need a

Protect yourself from scams

There are scammers who make guarantees about working or studying in Canada. If you stay longer than allowed, or work or study in Canada without the right permit, you could be committing fraud. Committing fraud in Canada can have serious consequences.

If someone tells you to misrepresent or lie about your intentions, they’re putting you at risk. Learn how to protect yourself from scammers and what to do if you are a victim of fraud.

How long it takes to get an eTA

It’s best to get an eTA before you book your flight to Canada.

  • Most applicants get their eTA approval (via email) within minutes.
  • However, some requests can take several days to process if you’re asked to submit supporting documents.

Confirm your passport number is correct

Once your eTA is approved, check that the passport number in your eTA approval email matches the number in your passport. If they don’t match, you need to apply for a new eTA.

What to bring to the airport

When we approve your eTA, it will be linked to the passport you used to apply. You need to present this passport when you check-in to your flight to Canada. You don’t need to print out any special document.

The airline staff will scan your passport to confirm that you have a valid eTA. If you don’t have one, you won’t be able to board your flight.

Eligibility

You either need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through, a Canadian airport. You only need one or the other, not both.

Who needs an eTA to travel to Canada?

You need an eTA if you’re a:

  • Visa-exempt foreign national and you’re flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport
    • As a visa-exempt foreign national, you do not need an eTA (or a visitor visa) when arriving by car, bus, train or boat (including a cruise ship).

You may be eligible to apply for an eTA (instead of a visitor visa) if you’re a:

Canadian citizens

If you’re a dual Canadian citizen, you must travel with a valid Canadian passport.

American-Canadians can travel with a valid Canadian or U.S. passport.

Canadian permanent residents

You don’t need an eTA or a visitor visa if you’re a Canadian permanent resident. However, you must travel with a valid permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document.

Important – former residents of Canada: Permanent resident (PR) status does not expire. If you once lived in Canada, even if it was many years ago, you could still have PR status. Learn more to avoid travel delays.

Visa-required travellers

You don’t need an eTA if you’re visa-required, including alien’s passport holders and stateless individuals. You need to travel with a visitor visa.

Travellers who are exempt from the eTA requirement

U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement and must carry proper identification such as a valid U.S. passport.

As of April 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents of the United States are also exempt from the eTA requirement and must show these documents for all methods of travel to Canada:

Complete list of acceptable status documents for lawful permanent residents of the U.S.

See the complete list of eTA exemptions.

Basic requirements to enter Canada

To visit Canada, you’ll need to meet some basic requirements, such as:

  • have a valid travel document, such as a passport
  • have a valid eTA or visitor visa
  • be in good health
  • have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
  • convince a border services officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country
  • convince a border services officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
  • have enough money for your stay. (The amount of money you will need can vary. It depends on things such as how long you will stay, and whether you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.)

Inadmissibility

An eTA doesn’t guarantee entry to Canada. When you arrive, a border services officer will ask to see your passport and other documents. You must convince the officer that you’re eligible for entry to Canada.

Several things can make you inadmissible, including involvement in criminal activity, in human rights violations or in organized crime.

You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons. Find out more about inadmissibility.

What you need to complete the form and pay for your eTA

You will need:

  • a valid passport from a visa-exempt countryAs of April 26, 2022: Lawful permanent residents of the United States are exempt from the eTA requirement. Find out what documents you need to travel to Canada.
  • a valid email address, AND
  • one of the following acceptable methods of payment to pay the $7 CAD fee (non-refundable):
    • Visa®, Mastercard®, American Express®,
    • a pre-paid Visa®, Mastercard® or American Express®,
    • Visa Debit, or Debit Mastercard,
    • UnionPay®, or
    • JCB Card®.

Overview of the eTA application process

Help with the form or other eTA questions

Apply for an eTA

After you apply

We process your application

In most cases, you will receive an email from us within minutes. However, some requests may need several days to process. If this is the case for your application, you can expect an email from us within 72 hours of applying. This email will tell you what your next steps are.

Check the junk mail folder of the email address you provided on your eTA application form. Some spam filters may block automated emails from us.

You receive your eTA

You’ll be notified by email when your eTA is approved. The approval email includes your eTA number.

If you change your email address after you apply for an eTA, you must update your address online. You can do this with this web form.

Check your passport number

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Check that the passport number included in the eTA approval email matches exactly the number in your passport. If it’s not the same, you need to apply again with the correct passport number.

If you entered the wrong passport number, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada.

  • You may only find out at the airport if you made a mistake.
  • You’ll have to reapply for an eTA.
  • Depending on your situation, it may not be possible to get an eTA at the last minute.

When you board your flight

Your eTA is linked to the passport you used to apply. You need to present this passport when you check-in to your flight to Canada. You don’t need to print out any special document.

The airline staff will scan your passport to confirm that you have a valid eTA. If you don’t have one, you won’t be able to board your flight.

Situations where you may need extra documents on arrival

If either of the following situations applies to you or someone you’ll travel with, have the documents indicated in hand.

You have a child under the age of 18 (a minor child)

In Canada, a child under the age of 18 is considered a minor.

You may need to show

  • a letter from one or both parents, or a legal guardian, that authorizes the minor child to travel to Canada, and
  • other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on if the minor child travels alone or not

Find out more about minor children travelling to Canada

You were invited to come to Canada

If you got a letter from a person or company that invited you to Canada, bring that letter with you. A border services officer may ask to see it.

Find out more about letters of invitation.

You arrive in Canada

A valid eTA and travel document don’t guarantee that you can enter Canada.

We determine if you meet all entry requirements

When you arrive, a border services officer will ask to see your passport and other travel documents. They’ll check your identity to make sure that you’re the same person who was approved to travel to Canada.

  • If you enter Canada at one of 10 major Canadian airports
    • Your fingerprints will be checked automatically at a primary inspection kiosk.
    • The system will check your identity against the information collected when your application was submitted.
  • If you enter Canada at smaller airports and all land ports of entry
    • Your fingerprints may be checked if we refer you to a secondary inspection, where a border services officer will use a fingerprint verification device to check your fingerprints.

You enter Canada

If you pass the identity check, health assessment, and meet the entry requirements, the border services officer may stamp your passport or let you know how long you can stay in Canada. You’re normally allowed to stay in Canada for up to 6 months.

In some cases, the officer may limit or extend your time in Canada to cover the planned purpose of your visit. Ask questions if you’re not sure about something.

You won’t be allowed into Canada if you give false or incomplete information. You must convince the officer that:

  • you’re eligible for entry into Canada
  • you’ll leave Canada at the end of your approved stay

If you don’t obey the conditions of your temporary resident status, we’ll ask you to leave Canada. Most people asked to leave Canada have the right to a fair hearing to review the decision.