eTA Canada

About Canada ETA

A Canada ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is a mandatory electronic entry document launched by the government of Canada to accelerate visa application processing.

Foreigners can use the Canadian ETA to travel to the country for business, tourist, or transit purposes.

Canada’s online travel document allows multiple visits for up to six months each and is effective for five years.

Canadian ETA application process is not difficult at all but saves both time and money, as there is no need to go to an embassy. You complete the online application form, cover the fee and get the approved visa at the email address.

The processing time is up to 72 hours, but usually, it is even less.

The customs officials will check your passport as it’s digitally connected to the ETA. Both your passport and electronic travel authorization must be valid, otherwise, you will be entry-denied.

There is no age under which children are allowed to enter the country without an appropriate entry document. So even infants must have both an eTA and a valid passport. The ETA application form for underage applicants is filled out by their parents or guardians.

Types of ETA Canada

You may want to go to Canada for different reasons, for example, to visit friends and family, explore a country as a tourist, have negotiations with your business partners or attend a conference.

Canadian ETA offers only one visa type for all these purposes.

Canada electronic travel authorization is a multiple-entry visa permitting its holders to visit the country several times as long as it is valid. Each stay mustn’t exceed the period of 180 days/three months. The Canadian ETA stays effective for five years.

Note that the ETA Canada doesn’t allow travelers to get employment.

How to apply for an ETA to Canada

In order to apply for an ETA Canada, you don’t have to go to any office, you can do it at home or from any other place just using any working device with an internet connection you have – it can be your phone, tablet, laptop or PC.

The application process is user-friendly and intuitive, it doesn’t require advanced computer skills, so you don’t have to be an experienced user, just follow the next simple steps:

1. Fill out the application form providing some data: your passport information, travel, and personal details.
2. Cover the ETA Canada fee. The payment process is secured, so you can choose the payment method you prefer from the variety of available ones – for example, a debit or credit card.
3. Check your email box. The approved Canadian ETA will be delivered to your email address in the form of a PDF document.

The ETA application processing time is up to three business days, and it may be extended if the government of Canada considers it necessary, as it’s the government that is responsible for the approval of each application. However, usually, the processing time is even much less than 72 hours.

Note that you should be very attentive while filling out the form and double-check all the information because any errors may provoke delays in the application process.

Validity period

Electronic travel authorization to Canada is valid for five days from the issuing date. You can travel to Canada multiple times while your ETA is valid. During each visit, you can stay up to half of the year/six months.

Your electronic travel authorization becomes invalid either when the passport you used to apply for an ETA expires or if the ETA expires itself – whichever comes first. If your passport expires before your travel entry documents, in order to enter Canada, you will need to reapply for an ETA.

You are not able to extend your eTA in Canada. So when this electronic document expires, you need to apply for a new one. In order to do that, you must be outside of Canada.

Requirements for Canadian ETA

To apply for the Canadian electronic travel authorization, you must be from an eligible country and meet basic technical requirements – have a working device (PC, laptop, tablet, phone, etc.) with a stable internet connection and an active email box you have access to.

Take into account information about required documents and requirements on arrival as well.

Required documents

Every eligible person must have one necessary document to apply for a Canadian ETA – it’s a valid passport.

A passport must not expire within six months from the planned arrival date.

Requirements on arrival

Upon arrival in Canada, you must hold the valid passport you used for applying for an ETA, and you don’t need to print out a paper copy of your electronic permit to enter Canada.

Canadian ETA is automatically linked to your passport, so if you obtain a new one, you will need to apply for a new electronic travel authorization document.

At the borders officers will check your ETA status, as they have electronic access to it through your passport.

Now, travelers must also fill out the ArriveCAN – a compulsory online health declaration form introduced by the government of Canada in order to minimize the COVID-19 spread.

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