Disclaimer: AlvaVisa.com is a private travel support company, not affiliated with any government agency.

Canada eTA

Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization

Fast, reliable support for understanding Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) requirements and completing your application with confidence.

What is the Canada eTA?

The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a mandatory digital entry requirement for travelers from visa-exempt countries arriving in Canada by air. It applies to short-term visits for purposes described below.

You’ll Need an eTA If You’re Visiting Canada For:

Travelers from countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, and most European Union member states must obtain an approved eTA before boarding a flight to Canada.

Applications are completed entirely online, and once approved, the authorization is electronically linked to the traveler’s passport. A Canadian eTA is generally valid for up to five years or until the associated passport expires, whichever comes first, and allows multiple entries during its validity period.

Why use Alva Visa?

We are a private travel support service that helps international travelers navigate the Canada ETA process with confidence. 

 

While we are not affiliated with the Canadian government, our team is committed to delivering professional, user-focused support to simplify the application experience.

  • Guided forms & advanced AI/OCR checks to ensure error‑free submissions
  • Applications reviewed by Canada visa specialists
  • Priority processing options – approval in 72 hours or less
  • One free correction within 7 days of purchase
  • Full refund of our service fee if your application is not approved
  • Dedicated case manager with 24/7 support & real‑time updates
  • Secure checkout – 256‑bit SSL & PCI‑compliant
  • Free reapplication if your passport is renewed or updated within 2 years

Fees & Processing

We charge a transparent service fee for our support, in addition to the official eTA government fee. The full cost breakdown is displayed clearly before payment at checkout.

AndorraAndorra
AustraliaAustralia
AustriaAustria
BahamasBahamas
BarbadosBarbados
BelgiumBelgium
BritishBritish
AnguillaAnguilla
BermudaBermuda
British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands
Cayman IslandsCayman Islands
Falkland IslandsFalkland Islands (Malvinas)
GibraltarGibraltar
MontserratMontserrat
Pitcairn IslandPitcairn Island
Saint HelenaSaint Helena
Turks and Caicos IslandsTurks and Caicos Islands
BruneiBrunei Darussalam
BulgariaBulgaria
ChileChile
CroatiaCroatia
CyprusCyprus
Czech RepublicCzech Republic
DenmarkDenmark
EstoniaEstonia
FinlandFinland
FranceFrance
GermanyGermany
GreeceGreece
Hong KongHong Kong
HungaryHungary
IcelandIceland
IrelandIreland
IsraelIsrael
ItalyItaly
JapanJapan
South KoreaRepublic of Korea
LatviaLatvia
LiechtensteinLiechtenstein
LithuaniaLithuania
LuxembourgLuxembourg
MaltaMalta
MonacoMonaco
NetherlandsNetherlands
New ZealandNew Zealand
NorwayNorway
Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea
PolandPoland
PortugalPortugal
RomaniaRomania
SamoaSamoa
San MarinoSan Marino
SingaporeSingapore
SlovakiaSlovakia
SloveniaSlovenia
Solomon IslandsSolomon Islands
SpainSpain
SwedenSweden
SwitzerlandSwitzerland
TaiwanTaiwan
United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates
Vatican CityVatican City State

Who Needs an eTA?

Since 2016, most visitors from visa-exempt countries have been required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization before boarding a flight to Canada. This applies to all travelers, including children and minors.

You do not need an eTA if:

  • You already hold a valid Canadian visa

  • You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

  • You are a U.S. citizen (note: U.S. Green Card holders do need an eTA when flying to Canada)

Canada eTA Requirements

To apply successfully, you must meet the following requirements:

How to Apply for a Canadian eTA

The application process is quick and fully online. It can be completed in three steps:

Check Eligibility

Confirm your passport qualifies for visa-exempt entry.

Complete the Application

Enter your travel and personal details, respond to background questions, and pay securely online.

Receive Your eTA by Email

Most applicants are approved within 48 hours. Your authorization is automatically tied to your passport.

Processing Times

Standard Review

Most applications are processed within 1–2 business days.

Possible Delays

Some cases may require longer due to background checks, incomplete details, or peak travel periods.

Applicants will be contacted by email if additional documentation or verification is required.

Decision Outcome

Once the application has been reviewed, a decision will be delivered to the applicant by email.

 

If your application is approved, your eTA is issued electronically and automatically associated with your passport. There is no physical paperwork to carry. Airlines and border systems confirm authorization at the time of travel. An approved eTA is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires, whichever occurs first. During this period you may enter Canada multiple times for short-term visits, provided each entry complies with Canadian entry conditions.
Approved
If your application is declined, you will be notified with an explanation of the reason for refusal. Common reasons include ineligibility under Canadian law, inaccurate or incomplete details, or security concerns identified during processing. A refusal does not always mean travel is impossible. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to correct the issues and reapply, or in some cases an alternative visa may be required. Final decisions rest entirely with Canadian immigration authorities.
Rejected

Begin Your Canadian Travel Authorization Application

Complete your eTA application online in just a few minutes.
Follow the secure process below to get started