Immigration Blog about US & Canadian Immigration matters.

What is an Electronic Travel Authorization eTA

The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) was introduced as a new entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals who wish to enter Canada by air and do not require a visa to enter Canada. In comparison with a visa (temporary resident visa TRV) , an eTA application is usually approved within minutes of applying and is a much faster process (maximum waiting period 72 hours). If you are travelling by land or sea, you do not require an eTA if you are a visa-exempt foreign national. This can become extremely beneficial if you are travelling to Canada on short notice. In this article, I will explain who needs an eTA, the cost of an eTA, the length of validity for an eTA, how to apply for an eTA and steps after applying for an eTA.

Do I need an eTA as visitor to Canada?

Whether you need an eTA or not strictly depends on how you intend on travelling to Canada. As previously mentioned, if you are planning on arriving in Canada by air and you are a foreign national from a visa-exempt country, then you will need an eTA prior to arriving. In order to find out whether your country of origin is a visa-exempt country, it is always best to go onto the government of Canada website and check. If your country is not a visa exempt country, then you will require a visa also known as Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) prior to entering Canada.