Canada eTA requirements
What you need before you apply, and who the eTA is for.
Who needs an eTA
Citizens of visa-exempt countries need an eTA to fly to or transit through Canada. You do not need one when arriving by land or sea. US citizens are exempt; US lawful permanent residents need an eTA and must travel with a valid green card and passport.
What you'll need to apply
- A valid passport from a visa-exempt country. Your eTA is linked to this exact passport — if it expires or is replaced, the eTA ends with it.
- Travel and background details — basic questions about your trip, employment, and history, asked in plain language.
- A payment card — one flat fee that includes the CAN$7 Government of Canada fee.
- An email address — your eTA confirmation is delivered by email.
Validity
An approved eTA is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It allows repeated visits, typically up to six months per stay — the border services officer confirms the permitted length on arrival.
Processing time
Most applications are approved within minutes of filing. Some take longer if the Government of Canada requests additional documents — we monitor your file and let you know immediately if anything is needed.