Being the second largest country in the world, Canada has a wide variety of attractions that draw tourists. It has natural wonders, rich cultural diversity, and vibrant cities. Its most notable natural wonder, the Niagara Falls, is just one of the several waterfalls you can see in the country. Countless national parks, some of which are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site or UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, also await nature lovers. And in between its towering rockies and extensive coastlines, you can admire its pristine lakes, prairies, and wildlife.
Aside from its stunning geography, Canada has a rich culture and history too. You can get glimpses of that within its cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. To top it all off, Canada is also among the places where you can see the elusive Northern Lights. Every corner of Canada really offers something for different types of travelers to enjoy. It’s no wonder why millions of tourists around the world goes to the Maple Leaf Country to explore.
But how do you get to Canada? This would depend on which country you’re from. Some countries enjoy visa-free travel, while others need to secure a visa. For some visa-required countries, their citizens may be eligible to apply for an electronic travel authorization or eTA instead of a visa. In this guide, we’ll explain who are eligible to apply for a Canada eTA and discuss the step-by-step application process on how you can get one.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
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What is a Canada eTA?
An eTA or electronic travel authorization is a requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals who are entering Canada by air. Travelers from select visa-required countries including the Philippines can also apply for an eTA provided that they meet the ALL of these requirements:
- You’ve held a Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa) in the past 10 years OR you have a valid US non-immigrant visa on the day of your eTA application.
- You’re going to Canada for a temporary stay (usually for 6 months or less).
- You’re flying to or transiting through an airport in Canada using a valid passport from an eligible visa-required country.
Eligible Visa-Required Countries
As of 2025, here is a list of select visa-required countries that are eligible to apply for an eTA:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Costa Rica
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Panama
- Philippines
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Seychelles
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uruguay
eTA-Eligible Visa-Exempt Countries
As of 2025, here is a list of visa-exempt countries that require an eTA if flying to Canada:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- British Citizen
- British National (Overseas)
- British Overseas Citizen (re-admissible to the United Kingdom)
- British Overseas Territory Citizen with citizenship through birth, descent, naturalization or registration in one of the British overseas territories of:
-Anguilla
-Bermuda
-British Virgin Islands
-Cayman Islands
-Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
-Gibraltar
-Montserrat
-Pitcairn Island
-Saint Helena
-Turks and Caicos Islands - British Subject with a right of abode in the United Kingdom
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (must have a passport issued by Hong Kong SAR)
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel (must have a national Israeli passport)
- Italy
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Papua New Guinea
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania (electronic passport holders only)
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan (must have an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes the personal identification number)
- United Arab Emirates
- Vatican City State (must have a passport or travel document issued by the Vatican)
How to Apply for a Canada eTA
1. Prepare the necessary information.
Before you start filling out the application form, make sure you have the following with you:
- Valid Passport
- Valid Email Address
- Debit or Credit Card
You will need these to fill out the form and pay for the eTA fee.
2. Find out if you’re eligible for a Canada eTA.
Go to the Canada eTA website. You will be led to a page where you have to answer which country issued your passport and the purpose of your travel to Canada. After that, you will be directed to the actual eTA form.
Then, you will answer a few questions to determine whether you’re eligible to apply for an eTA. If you’re not eligible, you will see a note that will tell you that you cannot apply for an eTA and you may need a visa or other type of document to travel to Canada. If you are eligible, you will see the next part of the application form.
3. Enter your passport details.
You will be asked to enter your passport number, surname, given name, and date of birth among other passport details. Make sure to enter the correct details as indicated on your valid passport.
4. Enter your personal details.
In this part of the form, you need to answer whether you’ve previously applied for or held a visa, an eTA, or permit to enter Canada. If you have, you may enter your Unique Client Identifier (UCI) or visa/eTA or permit number.
Next, you need to enter your employment information, contact information and residential address. If you already know when you’re traveling to Canada, you will be required to enter your travel information too. If not, just select no and proceed to answering the background questions.
Once you’ve completed all the information, double check if they are correct. Then, read the privacy notice and click ‘I Agree’ and enter your complete name as indicated on your passport to sign.
5. Pay the eTA fee.
After filling out the application form, click Proceed to Payment. You’ll be directed to a summary of fees, which is a total of CAD 7 for the eTA. Then, click Transmit and Pay.
Enter your debit or credit card information and click checkout. You might need to enter an OTP to verify your transaction.
Once you’ve successfully paid, your application will be automatically submitted.
6. Wait for an email about your eTA.
After submitting your application and paying the fee, expect an email from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. According to the Canada eTA website, most eTAs are approved within minutes. If you don’t see anything in your inbox, make sure to check the junk or spam folder too.
If your eTA is approved, the email you will receive will include your eTA number. Make sure to save this number in case you need to contact the IRCC or check the status of your eTA in the future.
If you don’t receive an email right away, your application may be taking longer to process. In such cases, the IRCC will send you an email within 72 hours with instructions for the next steps. After receiving this email, you may use the eTA Check Status tool to check the progress of your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Canada eTA?
The Canada eTA costs CAD 7. You can pay the fee online after filling out the application form. Accepted mode of payments are debit and credit cards.
Am I eligible to apply for a Canada eTA?
You can find out if you are eligible to apply for a Canada eTA by visiting this page and answering the questions provided.
Can I apply for a Canada eTA for my family?
Yes, however, a separate eTA application must be submitted for each person.
If you’re applying for eTA for your dependents/family members, make sure to answer “yes” to “Are you applying on behalf of someone?” You will also need to enter your details on the Parent/guardian or representative details section.
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