🇨🇦 Current IRCC eTA Rules for 2026
Canada eTA Guide 2026
Learn who needs a Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), who is exempt, what the $7 CAD application costs, how long an eTA remains valid, and what happens after approval.
1. What is a Canadian eTA?
An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an electronic travel requirement used for eligible travellers who are flying to or transiting through Canada. For ordinary eTA-required nationalities, the eTA is linked electronically to the passport used in the application. An eTA facilitates travel and boarding, but it does not guarantee admission to Canada. A border services officer makes the final decision on admissibility at the port of entry.
Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks
- For ordinary eTA-required visa-exempt travellers, an eTA is required when travelling to or transiting through Canada by air.
- An ordinary eTA is generally not required when an eTA-required national enters Canada by car, bus, train or boat, including a cruise ship, although the traveller still needs the required travel documents.
- The official Government of Canada eTA fee is CAN$7 and is non-refundable.
- An approved eTA is valid for up to 5 years or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first.
- With a valid eTA, eligible travellers can make repeated short trips; a stay is normally up to 6 months at a time, but a border officer can authorize a different period.
- If a new passport is issued, a new eTA is required because the authorization is linked to the passport used for the application.
- The Government of Canada warns that third-party websites may charge additional service fees; the official government eTA application fee remains CAN$7.
Mandatory Action Checklist
✓Check Canada's official entry-requirements page to determine whether your nationality requires an eTA, a visitor visa, or neither.
✓Confirm that the passport you will use for travel is the same passport used in the eTA application.
✓Apply through the official Canada.ca eTA service and pay the CAN$7 government fee.
✓After approval, check that the passport number in the approval email exactly matches your passport.
2. Who needs an eTA in 2026?
There are three important categories to distinguish: ordinary visa-exempt travellers who need an eTA when travelling by air; travellers from certain visa-required countries who may qualify for an eTA instead of a visitor visa if they meet additional conditions; and people who are exempt from both the eTA and visitor-visa requirement in defined circumstances.
| Traveller Category | Typical Document Requirement | Important 2026 Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Citizen/passport holder of an eTA-required visa-exempt country or territory travelling by air | Valid passport + eTA | eTA required to board the flight to Canada or to transit through Canada by air |
| Citizen of one of Canada's conditional eTA-eligible visa-required countries | Valid passport + eTA if all eligibility conditions are met | Must meet the applicable Canadian visitor-visa or U.S. non-immigrant-visa condition, be travelling by air, and meet the temporary-stay requirement |
| U.S. citizen travelling with a valid U.S. passport | Valid U.S. passport and required identification/documents | No Canadian eTA or Canadian visa is required |
| U.S. lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) | Valid passport or acceptable travel document + valid proof of U.S. permanent-resident status | Exempt from the Canadian eTA requirement as of April 26, 2022 |
| Canadian citizen, including most Canadian dual citizens | Canadian passport for air travel, subject to the Canadian-American dual-citizen exception | Canadian citizens do not apply for an eTA |
| Visa-required traveller who does not qualify for a conditional eTA | Visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa) + passport | A visitor visa is generally required for visits and for land/sea travel where the visa requirement applies |
Important Guidelines & Notes
- The exact nationality and document rules should be checked on Canada's current entry-requirements page before travel because eligibility lists can change.
- U.S. lawful permanent residents are specifically exempt from the Canadian eTA requirement and should travel with their passport or accepted travel document and valid proof of permanent-resident status.
- A travel document or status document that works for a U.S. permanent resident is not automatically an eTA; the exemption is based on U.S. lawful permanent-resident status.
3. Conditional eTA Eligibility for Certain Visa-Required Countries
As of May 26, 2026, citizens of 17 specified visa-required countries may be eligible to apply for an eTA instead of a visitor visa when travelling to Canada by air. Eligibility is conditional and all requirements must be met. The current eligible countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.
Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks
- The traveller must have held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or currently hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa, subject to Canada's stated eligibility rules.
- When relying on a U.S. non-immigrant visa, it must be valid on the day the eTA is applied for; it does not have to remain valid on the date of travel to Canada.
- The traveller must be coming to Canada for a temporary stay, normally up to 6 months.
- The traveller must be flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport with a valid passport from one of the listed countries.
- The conditional eTA route does not replace a visitor visa for the applicable land, train, bus or boat travel scenarios described by IRCC.
- Meeting the technical eligibility conditions does not guarantee approval or admission to Canada.
Critical Regulatory NoteThe conditional eTA list is broader than the older 13-country description. Canada added Indonesia and Malaysia to the eligible-country list in 2026. Always verify the current IRCC list before applying.
4. U.S. Green Card Holders: No Canadian eTA Required
Lawful permanent residents of the United States are exempt from Canada's eTA requirement. Since April 26, 2022, U.S. Green Card holders must instead show a valid passport from their country of nationality, or an acceptable equivalent travel document, together with valid proof of U.S. permanent-resident status when travelling to Canada.
Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks
- A valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) is one example of acceptable proof of status.
- Other acceptable proof-of-status documents can apply in specific situations, including certain temporary I-551 evidence, eligible expired cards accompanied by specified USCIS notices, and certain U.S. re-entry or status documents.
- The Green Card exemption applies regardless of whether the U.S. permanent resident travels to Canada by air, land or sea.
- Airlines and border officers may ask to see the proof of U.S. permanent-resident status.
- A Green Card holder who is not travelling with the necessary passport or acceptable travel document and proof of status may face boarding or entry problems.
Do not apply for a Canadian eTA merely because you are a U.S. Green Card holder. IRCC states that lawful permanent residents of the United States are exempt from the eTA requirement.
5. Canadian Citizens and Dual Citizens
Canadian citizens do not obtain an eTA. Most dual Canadian citizens must travel to or transit through Canada by air using a valid Canadian passport. Canadian-American dual citizens have a specific exception: they may fly to Canada using either a valid Canadian passport or a valid U.S. passport, provided they meet the applicable entry requirements and carry identification establishing Canadian citizenship when travelling on the U.S. passport.
Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks
- Most dual Canadian citizens cannot use an eTA on a foreign passport to board a flight to Canada.
- Starting November 10, 2016, most dual Canadian citizens have needed a valid Canadian passport to board a flight to Canada.
- Canadian-American dual citizens can generally fly with a valid U.S. passport or a valid Canadian passport.
- Travellers who need a Canadian passport for air travel should not treat an eTA as a substitute for proof of Canadian citizenship.
6. How Much Does a Canadian eTA Cost?
The official Government of Canada eTA application fee is CAN$7 per application and is non-refundable. The government warns that third-party websites may charge extra service fees for submitting applications or providing assistance. Those extra charges are not part of Canada's official eTA fee.
The visitor-visa and biometrics amounts are included only for comparison. They are not additional costs of an eTA application.
| Item | Current Amount/Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Official eTA application fee | CAN$7 | Government fee; non-refundable |
| Third-party service charges | Varies | Not a Government of Canada fee; the government does not refund extra third-party charges |
| Visitor visa processing fee | CAN$100 per person | Applies to a visitor visa application; not an eTA fee |
| Biometrics fee | CAN$85 for an individual when required | Certain exemptions apply; families applying together can have a maximum total biometrics fee of CAN$170 |
7. eTA Application Requirements and Step-by-Step Process
The official eTA application is completed online. You need a valid passport, an email address and an accepted payment method. The application form cannot be saved, so IRCC recommends having the required information available before starting.
Important Guidelines & Notes
- IRCC accepts several payment methods, including major credit cards, certain prepaid cards, Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard, UnionPay and JCB, subject to the official payment page.
- Most eTA applications are approved within minutes, but some applications take several days.
- If IRCC needs documents before making a decision, it states that an email with instructions will be sent within 72 hours.
- An eTA approval email does not need to be printed as a separate travel document; airline staff can scan the passport and confirm the electronic authorization.
Mandatory Action Checklist
✓Have the passport you will use to travel to Canada available.
✓Enter the passport information exactly as it appears on the passport information page.
✓Provide a valid email address that you can check for IRCC messages.
✓Complete the online eTA form; the form itself cannot be saved for later completion.
✓Pay the non-refundable CAN$7 fee using an accepted payment method.
✓Monitor your email, including the junk or spam folder, for the application decision or a request for additional information.
✓After approval, compare the passport number in the eTA approval email with your passport before travelling.
✓Travel with the same passport used in the eTA application because the eTA is electronically linked to that passport.
8. Passport Errors, New Passports and eTA Validity
The eTA is linked to the passport used in the application. A passport-number mistake can therefore prevent the traveller from boarding the flight. IRCC advises travellers to check the passport number in the approval email and reapply if it does not match.
Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks
- If the passport number in the approval email does not match the passport, you need to apply again with the correct passport number.
- A wrong passport number can mean you are unable to board the flight and may only discover the problem at the airport.
- If you receive a new passport, the old eTA does not transfer to the new passport; you need a new eTA.
- An eTA is valid for up to 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
- The 5-year eTA validity does not mean a traveller can stay in Canada continuously for 5 years.
- Most visitors are normally allowed to stay up to 6 months at a time, but the border services officer can authorize a different period.
Do not assume that an approved eTA overcomes an incorrect passport number, a passport expiry issue, inadmissibility, or other entry requirement.
9. After eTA Approval: Travel, Transit and Admission
An eTA is a travel authorization requirement for eligible air travellers, not a guarantee of admission. Airline staff check the passport and electronic authorization before boarding, while the Canada Border Services Agency determines admissibility when the traveller arrives.
Key Policy Highlights & Benchmarks
- For ordinary eTA-required travellers, the eTA is relevant to boarding a flight to Canada or transiting through Canada by air.
- Air travel rules are different from land and sea entry rules, so travellers should check their exact nationality and travel method before departure.
- An eTA does not by itself authorize work or study in Canada.
- An eTA does not guarantee that the traveller will be admitted to Canada.
- Border officers can examine admissibility, including issues such as criminality, security, medical or other inadmissibility grounds where applicable.
- Most visitors can stay for up to 6 months, but the officer may authorize less or more than 6 months and may issue a visitor record.
Critical Regulatory NoteeTA approval is not the same thing as admission to Canada. The final decision on entry is made by a border services officer at the Canadian port of entry.
10. Common eTA Mistakes to Avoid
Mandatory Action Checklist
✓Applying on an unofficial website and paying an unnecessary third-party service fee.
✓Entering the passport number incorrectly.
✓Applying with a passport that will not be used for the planned flight.
✓Assuming a U.S. Green Card holder needs an eTA.
✓Assuming a Canadian citizen can use an eTA instead of the required Canadian travel document.
✓Treating an eTA as a visa or as a guarantee of admission.
✓Assuming the standard 6-month visitor period is guaranteed for every entry.
✓Using the ordinary visa-exempt eTA rules when the traveller is actually from one of the visa-required countries with conditional eTA eligibility.
✓Failing to check the current IRCC entry-requirements page because nationality, document and travel-mode rules can change.
11. Quick Decision Guide
| Your Situation | What to Check |
|---|---|
| You hold a passport from an ordinary eTA-required visa-exempt country and are flying to Canada | You generally need a valid eTA and valid passport |
| You hold a passport from an eTA-required country but enter by land or sea | An eTA is generally not required, but you still need the required passport and entry documents |
| You are a U.S. lawful permanent resident | No Canadian eTA; carry a valid passport or acceptable travel document plus valid proof of U.S. permanent-resident status |
| You are a U.S. citizen travelling on a valid U.S. passport | No Canadian eTA or visitor visa is required, subject to Canada's basic entry requirements |
| You are a Canadian citizen | Do not apply for an eTA; use the travel document required for your citizenship status and travel method |
| You are a citizen of one of the 17 conditional eTA countries | Check whether you satisfy every conditional eTA requirement before applying instead of assuming a visitor visa is necessary |
| You hold a visa-required passport and do not qualify for an eTA | You generally need a Canadian visitor visa for a visitor trip |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The official Government of Canada eTA application fee is CAN$7 per application. The fee is non-refundable. A third-party website may charge additional service fees, but those charges are not part of the government's official eTA fee.
No. Lawful permanent residents of the United States are exempt from Canada's eTA requirement. They generally need a valid passport or acceptable travel document plus valid proof of U.S. permanent-resident status when travelling to Canada.
An approved eTA is valid for up to 5 years or until the passport used for the application expires, whichever comes first. A new passport requires a new eTA because the authorization is linked to the passport.
For travellers who are from ordinary eTA-required visa-exempt countries, an eTA is generally not required when entering Canada by car, bus, train or boat, including a cruise ship. However, travellers from visa-required countries may still need a visitor visa even if they qualify for an eTA for air travel.
No. An eTA facilitates travel and boarding but does not guarantee admission. A border services officer makes the final decision on whether you are admissible and how long you may stay.
IRCC advises you to apply for a new eTA with the correct passport number. A mismatch can prevent you from boarding your flight, so check the passport number in the approval email before travelling.
Official Government Sources & Authorities
- Government of Canada - Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
- Government of Canada - What you need to enter Canada
- IRCC - eTA application
- IRCC - eTA eligibility for citizens from certain visa-required countries
- Government of Canada - eTA application process and validity
- IRCC - U.S. lawful permanent residents and eTA exemption
- Government of Canada - Dual Canadian citizens
- IRCC - Visitor visa fees
- IRCC - Biometrics fees and process
eTA Key Facts
Government Application FeeCAN$7 per eTA application
ValidityUp to 5 years or until passport expiry
Primary Travel RequirementRequired for eligible travellers flying to or transiting through Canada
Typical ProcessingMost approved within minutes; some take longer
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