What an eTA is
An electronic travel authorization (eTA) is linked electronically to your passport. Eligible travellers need it to board a flight to Canada or to transit through a Canadian airport. You need either a visa or an eTA, never both.
Not a visa
An eTA is not a visa or a status document. It does not allow work or study, and it does not guarantee entry. The border officer decides when you arrive.
Air travel only
Most travellers do not need an eTA by land or sea, but must carry a valid passport. The exception is sea travel from Saint Pierre and Miquelon (other than cruise ships).
Who needs an eTA, and who is exempt
| Traveller | Rule |
|---|---|
| Citizens of visa-exempt countries | Need an eTA and a valid passport to fly to or through Canada |
| Citizens of 17 listed visa-required countries | May apply for an eTA instead of a visa, for air travel only, if they meet the conditions below |
| Other visa-required travellers (including Iranian citizens) | Cannot use an eTA; need a visitor visa or transit visa |
| U.S. citizens | Exempt; carry proper identification such as a U.S. passport |
| U.S. lawful permanent residents | Exempt since April 26, 2022 for all modes of travel; carry your national passport and proof of U.S. permanent resident status, such as a valid green card |
| Canadian citizens, including dual citizens | Cannot apply; fly with a valid Canadian passport (Canadian-American dual citizens may use either passport) |
| Permanent residents of Canada | Cannot apply; travel with a valid PR card or permanent resident travel document |
| Other exempt travellers | Include passengers on flights that stop in Canada only to refuel (if they can lawfully enter the United States) or make an unscheduled stop, travellers transiting under the Transit Without Visa or China Transit programs, and certain crew members and diplomats; see IRCC's entry requirements page |
The expanded eTA for some visa-required countries
Citizens of these 17 countries may fly to Canada on an eTA instead of a visa: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay. Indonesia and Malaysia were added on May 26, 2026.
- Visa historyYou held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years, or you hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa (valid when you apply, though not necessarily when you travel).
- Temporary stayYou are coming for a temporary stay, normally up to 6 months.
- By air, on that passportYou fly to or transit through a Canadian airport using a passport from an eligible country. By car, bus, train or boat, including a cruise ship, you need a visitor visa.
How to apply
- Use only the official formApply on the Government of Canada website, before you book your flight. You need a valid passport from an eligible country, an email address and a payment card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, a pre-paid card from one of those networks, Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard, UnionPay or JCB. Use the passport number on the photo page. The form cannot be saved, so prepare your information first, and each application is paid for one person at a time.
- Pay $7The fee is non-refundable.
- Wait for the resultMost eTAs are approved within minutes. If more documents are needed, you will get an email with instructions within 72 hours, and the application can take several days. If the passport number in your approval email does not match your passport, apply for a new eTA.
Validity and passport
How long it lasts
Up to 5 years, or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first.
Same passport
Travel with the passport you used to apply. If you get a new passport, you need a new eTA.
Arriving in Canada
The officer decides
The CBSA officer checks your identity and asks about your purpose, funds and plans. An eTA does not guarantee entry.
Length of stay
Most visitors may stay up to 6 months. The officer can set a shorter or longer period. With no stamp, the stay ends 6 months after entry or when your passport expires, if earlier.
To stay longer, see extending your stay.
Frequently asked questions
I am Iranian and have a U.S. visa. Can I get an eTA?
No. The expanded eTA covers only the 17 listed countries. You need a Canadian visitor visa.
I have dual citizenship. Which passport do I use?
If one of your passports is from a visa-exempt or eligible country, you may apply for an eTA on that passport and must travel on it. If you are a Canadian citizen, you must use a Canadian passport.
Do I need an eTA for a connecting flight through Canada?
Yes, if you are from an eTA-required country, because an eTA is needed to transit through a Canadian airport. Visa-required travellers who cannot use the expanded eTA need a transit visa or a visitor visa instead (see transit through Canada).
Do I need an eTA to drive in from the United States?
Most visa-exempt travellers do not. Citizens of the 17 listed visa-required countries need a visitor visa to enter by land or sea.
Official sources
- IRCC: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
- IRCC: Who can apply for an eTA
- IRCC: eTA for citizens of selected visa-required countries
- IRCC: Apply for an eTA
- IRCC: eTA facts
- IRCC: Entry requirements by country or territory
- IRCC: About the visitor visa
- IRCC: Fee list
This page is general information about Canadian immigration law and policy as of the date above. It is not legal advice for your situation. Programs, forms and fees change often; check the official sources before you apply.