Canada eTA requirements 2026: the complete list
What you need to apply for the Electronic Travel Authorization, what it costs, how long it takes, and the mistakes that delay it most.
In short: to apply for the eTA you need a valid passport from an eligible country, an email address and a card to pay CAD $7. Most applications are approved within minutes.
Who needs an eTA?
- Citizens of visa-exempt countries who fly to Canada or connect through a Canadian airport (for example, Chile and Spain).
- Citizens of some countries that normally require a visa — including Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama and Uruguay — if they held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years or hold a valid US non-immigrant visa, and travel by air. See the guide for Mexican citizens.
You do not need one if you are: a US citizen, a US lawful permanent resident, or a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
What you need to apply
- A valid passport from the country you will travel with. We recommend at least 6 months of validity left when you travel.
- An active email address: that is where the confirmation, or any request for documents, arrives.
- A card to pay CAD $7: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, a compatible debit card, UnionPay or JCB.
- Your personal, contact, employment and travel details, and honest answers to the background questions.
How long it takes
Most applications are approved within minutes. Some need additional documents; in that case IRCC emails instructions within 72 hours. Apply before you book your flights or, at the very least, several days before you fly.
Validity
The eTA is valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and it is linked to that passport. If you renew your passport, you need a new eTA.
The most common mistakes
- A mistyped passport number. This is the most serious one: the eTA is tied to a number that is not yours and you will not be able to board your flight.
- Confusing the letter O with the number 0, or I with 1, in the passport number.
- Applying with one passport and travelling with another. The eTA only works with the passport you applied with.
- Overpaying on sites that imitate the government. The government fee is CAD $7; anyone who charges more must tell you clearly that they are a private service and what it includes.
- Assuming it works by land. The eTA is for air travel only.
Want us to check it for you?
We review your eligibility and your details before submitting, to avoid the mistakes that would stop you from boarding.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does the eTA cost?
The Government of Canada fee is CAD $7 per person.
How long is the eTA valid?
Up to 5 years or until the passport you applied with expires, whichever comes first.
Do I need a new eTA for every trip?
No. While it is valid you can travel to Canada as often as you like, for stays of normally up to 6 months.
What happens if I renew my passport?
Your eTA stays linked to the old passport, so you need to apply for a new one with the new passport.
Does the eTA guarantee I will be let in?
No. The border officer decides when you arrive, after reviewing your passport and documents.
Official sources
- How to apply for an eTA
- eTA facts (validity, passport, entry)
- eTA for citizens of some visa-required countries
- IRCC official fees
Updated: September 2026. Rules can change; always confirm on canada.ca before you travel.