The Canada eTA application
The eTA Electronic Travel Authorization is reminiscent of the American ESTA. Any stay in Canada is subject to a travel authorization (eTA) or a Canadian visa.
For a stay of less than 6 months in Canada : You can carry out the formalities for entering Canada directly via the Internet by clicking on the online form. It is not necessary to obtain an appointment at the Canadian embassy or consulate.
We explain below who is entitled to apply for an eTA Canada and how to proceed to obtain it.
Who can apply for a Canada eTA?
To be able to apply for a Canada eTA , the traveler must be a national of one of the countries exempt from the visa requirement. The countries affected by this exemption are:
Germany, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil*, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria*, Chile, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Hong Kong, Solomon Islands, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Norway, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Czech Republic, Romania, San Marino, Samoa, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the Vatican. (*under certain conditions)
Only travel to Canada by air is subject to the compulsory obtaining of an eTA , which includes transits. The Canada eTA is not recognized for travel by land and sea.
Canadian visa holders are also not required to apply for a Canada eTA. This is also the case for French citizens living in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, if they enter Canadian territory, by air, directly from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.
To be able to apply for a Canada eTA, the traveler must have a valid passport. Canada does not require a biometric passport for an eTA Canada application (at least for French nationals), but it is recommended to have a remaining validity period of at least 6 months.
To enter into the framework of the eTA Canada, the stay must be for a period of less than 6 months maximum and can only be tourist or business. A transport ticket may be requested when going through customs. For a minor child, it is requested to present a birth certificate and any other document explaining the family situation of the child (letter of authorization from the parent not traveling with the child, a photocopy of the custody order in case of divorce, etc.).
How to apply for an eTA Canada?
The Canada eTA application is made through an online form available on the official Canadian government website or through a private site. It is currently not possible to make group requests.
When to apply for an eTA ? It is important to apply for authorization several days before departure (we advise you to read our page on the time required to obtain the Canada eTA). It is, however, recommended to proceed with this process as soon as possible to avoid any disappointment. No need to show up at the airport without this travel authorization, because the companies have an obligation to prohibit boarding. Even if you are allowed access to the plane, immigration officers at the Canadian border will not allow you to stay on Canadian soil without valid authorization (eTA or visa).
To complete the Canada eTA application form , you need to have your passport and a payment card. The eTA is charged CAN$7. The form begins by determining whether the request is made by the traveler themselves or if it is made for another person.
The information to be provided concerns, first of all, the passport: passport number, surnames and first names as written on the document, date of birth, sex, place of birth, date of issue and expiry. The second section of the form refers to personal information: dual nationality, family situation, previous application for travel authorization for Canada, professional situation, postal address, valid e-mail address. This is followed by information relating to your stay in Canada and in particular the dates. The last part of the form refers to your background: entry ban, criminal offence, medical history with emphasis on tuberculosis, etc.
Your online form is validated by the acceptance of the terms and conditions and the payment of the administration fees.
Following an eTA Canada request, the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) sends an acknowledgment of receipt electronically. In the vast majority of cases, the approval (or denial) is sent almost simultaneously. However, it is possible that a request may take longer and that additional supporting documents may be requested by the Canadian authorities. In case of refusal, it is necessary to turn to a visa application with the Canadian embassy. The procedures for obtaining a visa are more complex, longer and more expensive.
The AVE authorization is valid for 5 years from the date of issue or until the expiry of the passport if the latter expires earlier. The AVE is thus intrinsically linked to the passport; any change (new passport or modification in the data contained) entails a new request. It is possible to check the status of its authorization directly on the Canadian government website.