eTA — Electronic Travel Authorization
For flying to Canada. We process your eTA, verify eligibility, and deliver the IRCC confirmation.
An eTA is what lets you board a plane to Canada if you hold a visa-exempt passport. You apply online, the government fee is CAD $7, and most applications are approved within minutes — until one mistyped character stops one. Our service is CAD $95 in total, that fee included, and what it buys is someone checking that you qualify and that the application is right the first time.
What’s included
- Full eligibility and background review
- Passport data validation (common errors that cause rejection)
- Filing with IRCC
- Tracking through approval
- Official confirmation delivery (passport-linked)
Who can apply for an eTA
Citizens of visa-exempt countries flying to Canada or transiting a Canadian airport. Since 29 February 2024 Mexican citizens can also use the eTA route, but only if one of these is true:
- they hold a valid US non-immigrant visa on the day they apply for the eTA — it does not have to still be valid on the travel date; or
- they held a Canadian visitor visa in the last 10 years. A previous eTA does not count: IRCC asks for a visa.
If neither applies, the route is a visitor visa. Not sure which you need? The free checker settles it in four questions.
US citizens and US lawful permanent residents do not need an eTA — they travel on their passport plus valid proof of status.
It only covers flying
An eTA authorizes you to board a plane. Arriving by land or sea — car, bus, train or cruise ship — requires a visitor visa even if you qualify for an eTA. It is the misunderstanding that ruins the most trips, and it cannot be fixed at the border.
Requirements
- Valid passport (we recommend at least 6 months’ validity at the time of travel)
- Valid credit card
- Active email address
- No prior Canadian immigration refusals
How long it takes
Most eTAs are approved within minutes. Some need additional review: IRCC then emails instructions within 72 hours and the process can run to several days. Passport type and immigration history both matter, so apply before you buy tickets rather than the night before the flight.
What goes wrong, and why we charge to prevent it
You can apply yourself on the official site for CAD $7, and we will say so plainly. What we charge for is the review. These are the errors we see:
- A mistyped passport number. The eTA is then tied to a number that is not yours. You do not find out when you apply — you find out at the boarding gate.
- Confusing the letter O with a zero, or I with 1. Same outcome.
- Applying with one passport and travelling on another. An eTA works only with the passport it was applied for.
- Answering the admissibility questions carelessly — about previous refusals or history. One careless answer turns a minutes-long process into a weeks-long review.
- Overpaying on sites that imitate the government. The official fee is CAD $7. Anyone charging more should tell you clearly that they are a private service and what that buys — as we do.
After approval
The eTA is linked to your passport and valid for up to 5 years or until that passport expires, whichever comes first. While it is valid you can travel to Canada as often as you like, with stays normally of up to 6 months. Renew your passport and you need a new eTA.
If you don’t qualify
We tell you before charging you. The alternative is a visitor visa: CAD $100 plus CAD $85 for biometrics (family maximum CAD $170), with more documentation and a longer timeline. We would rather say so at the start than file an application that will be refused — a refusal stays on your record and makes the next one harder.
Not sure whether you need an eTA or a visa? Answer four questions in the free checker and you will know in under a minute. It runs in your browser: nothing asked for, nothing stored.
FAQ
Who needs an eTA?
Citizens of visa-exempt countries flying to Canada. Mexican citizens flying to Canada can also apply for an eTA if they hold a valid US non-immigrant visa or held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years; otherwise they need a visitor visa.
What is the official fee?
IRCC charges CAD $7. Our service is CAD $95 in total and includes that official fee, plus eligibility review, correct filing, and tracking.
How long does it take?
Most eTAs are approved within minutes. Some require additional review and can take several days — passport type and immigration history matter.
Does my US visa have to be valid when I travel?
No. It must be valid on the day you apply for the eTA; it does not have to still be valid on your travel date. That is IRCC’s distinction, and we confirm it with you before filing anything.
Does it work if I enter Canada by land?
No. An eTA is for arriving by air only. By land or sea you need a visitor visa, even if you qualify for an eTA.
What 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 entry?
No. The eTA authorizes you to board the plane; the CBSA officer at the airport of arrival makes the final admission decision.
Advice is provided by Juan Pablo Martinez Alanis, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant RCIC R507844, in good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). Verify the number on the public register.