Visitors from Canada's visa-exempt countries (the UK, the EU, Australia, Japan, South Korea and others) need an eTA (CAD $7, valid five years) to fly to Canada, applied for on canada.ca. US citizens, US green card holders and Canadians don't. Some passports need a visitor visa instead.
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Checked 2026-11-08 against canada.ca. Rules change and the official site has the final word. An eTA or visa lets you board; the border officer decides entry. Not legal advice.
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Questions
Do I need an ESTA for Canada?
No. The ESTA is for the United States. Canada has its own, the eTA (electronic travel authorization). It costs CAD $7 and you apply on canada.ca.
Which passports need an eTA for Canada?
Passports from Canada's visa-exempt countries, to fly to or through Canada: the UK, every EU country (Romania with an electronic passport), Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and a few dozen more. Some others, such as Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Thailand, can get an eTA instead of a visa only when flying in and meeting IRCC's conditions. Arriving by land or sea, no eTA. Pick your passport above to check yours.
How long does an eTA take?
Most are approved within minutes by email. Some take several days when IRCC asks for documents, so apply before you book or at least a few days before you fly.
How long is an eTA valid?
Up to five years, or until the passport you applied with expires, whichever comes first. A new passport needs a new eTA.
Who doesn’t need an eTA?
US citizens (with a US passport), US green card holders (with their passport and green card), and Canadians. Dual Canadian citizens must fly on their Canadian passport and can’t get an eTA.
Are eTA sites that charge more legitimate?
The only official site is canada.ca and the fee is CAD $7. Other sites that charge more are middlemen filling in the same form.
Checked 2026-11-08. Sources: canada.ca (apply), canada.ca (facts), canada.ca (eligibility), canada.ca (entry-requirements-country), canada.ca (eta-x), canada.ca (dual-canadian-citizens-visit-canada), canada.ca (apply-visitor-visa), canada.ca (after-apply-next-steps). Rules change; canada.ca has the final word. Not legal advice. Flying on to the US? See Before you fly to the US.
Points or cash for the flight?
Tell Mila the trip. She checks the award and the cash fare, and reminds you about the eTA for every passport on your account.
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