Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is a convenient and affordable way for visa-exempt travellers to enter or transit through Canada by air. This guide explains who needs an eTA, how to apply, and lists all eTA-eligible and visa-required countries.
On This Page You Will Find
- What the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is
- Who needs an eTA to visit or transit through Canada
- How to apply for an eTA online
- List of eTA-eligible (visa-exempt) countries
- List of visa-required countries
What Is an Electronic Travel Authorisation?
An Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is a digital entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals who travel to or transit through Canada by air. It is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires.
An eTA allows multiple short stays in Canada – typically up to six months per visit. Travellers entering Canada by land or sea do not need an eTA. However, an eTA does not guarantee entry. Border officers make the final decision upon arrival.
The eTA costs CAD $7 and must be obtained online from the official Government of Canada website.
Who Needs an eTA?
Travellers who need an eTA
- Visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport.
- Not required if entering by car, bus, train, or boat (including a cruise ship).
Travellers eligible to apply for an eTA instead of a visa
- Citizens of select visa-required countries may apply for an eTA if they meet certain criteria and travel by air.
Travellers who cannot apply for an eTA
- Canadian citizens (including dual citizens) must travel with a valid Canadian passport.
- Canadian permanent residents must carry a valid PR card or PR travel document.
- Visa-required travellers and stateless persons need a visa.
Travellers exempt from the eTA requirement
- U.S. citizens (must carry a valid U.S. passport).
- Lawful permanent residents of the United States with valid status and passport from their country of nationality.
How to Apply for an eTA
Applying for an eTA is quick and straightforward:
- Go to the official Government of Canada website.
- Complete the online form and pay the CAD $7 fee.
- Have your passport, credit card, and email address ready.
- Most applications are approved within minutes, but some may take a few days if additional documents are requested.
When approved, your eTA is electronically linked to your passport. You must travel with the same passport you used to apply. If your passport number changes, you need a new eTA.
At the airport, airline staff will scan your passport to confirm your valid eTA before allowing you to board your flight.
eTA-Eligible (Visa-Exempt) Countries
Travellers from the following countries need an eTA to fly to or transit through Canada:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- British citizens
- British National (Overseas)
- British overseas citizens (re-admissible to the UK)
- British Overseas Territory Citizens from:
- Anguilla
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
- Gibraltar
- Montserrat
- Pitcairn Island
- Saint Helena
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- British Subject with right of abode in the UK
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong SAR (passport issued by Hong Kong SAR)
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel (national Israeli passport)
- Italy
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Papua New Guinea
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania (electronic passport holders only)
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan (ordinary passport with personal identification number)
- United Arab Emirates
- Vatican City State (passport or travel document issued by the Vatican)
Visa-Required Countries
Travellers from the following countries require a visa to enter Canada by any mode of transport (air, land, or sea):
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda *
- Argentina *
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil *
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon (Republic of)
- Cabo Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China (People’s Republic of)
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Congo (Democratic Republic of)
- Congo (Republic of)
- Costa Rica *
- Cuba
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel * (Travel Document in lieu of passport)
- Ivory Coast
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Korea (North)
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Macao SAR
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mexico *
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco *
- Mozambique
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Palestinian Authority
- Panama *
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines *
- Romania (non-electronic passports)
- Russia
- Rwanda
- São Tomé e Príncipe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles *
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- St. Kitts and Nevis *
- St. Lucia *
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines *
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Syria
- Taiwan * (non-ordinary passports)
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand *
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago *
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- Uruguay *
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
(*Some citizens of these countries may be eligible for an eTA under specific conditions.)
Workers and Students
If you are coming to Canada to work or study, you must meet both visa or eTA and permit requirements.
- If you apply for a study or work permit, a visa or eTA will automatically be issued if approved.
- Travellers must carry their letter of introduction, valid passport, and permit when travelling.
- Always ensure your visa or eTA matches the passport you are using to enter Canada.
Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents
Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents can apply for a Super Visa, which allows visits of up to five years per stay and is valid for up to ten years with multiple entries.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Canada eTA?
An eTA is a digital entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to Canada. It is linked to your passport and valid for up to five years or until your passport expires.
2. Who needs an eTA to visit Canada?
Travellers from visa-exempt countries need an eTA to fly or transit through Canada. It is not required if entering by land or sea. U.S. citizens and Canadian citizens are exempt.
3. How much does an eTA cost and how do I apply?
An eTA costs CAD $7 and can be applied for online through the official Government of Canada website. Most approvals are issued within minutes by email.
4. Can I travel to Canada without an eTA?
Only U.S. citizens, permanent residents of the U.S., and travellers with valid Canadian visas or PR status are exempt. Everyone else must hold either a visa or an eTA before boarding a flight to Canada.
5. What happens if I enter the wrong passport number when applying?
Entering an incorrect passport number means your eTA will not match your travel document, and you may be denied boarding. Always double-check your details before submission.
