Is eTA Canada an obligation?

The Canada eTA is an electronic travel authorization set up by the Canadian government. It is obtained before the trip to Canada through an online form available on the government website.

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.

To the question is the Canada eTA compulsory? The answer is yes. Electronic Travel Authorization Canada is mandatory for certain travelers under certain conditions. We explain here what the obligations of the eTA Canada are.

When is the Canada eTA mandatory?

The Canada eTA was made mandatory in November 2016 by the Canadian authorities. Its principle is simple: obtain a travel authorization before traveling to Canada, which helps relieve congestion at Canadian embassies and border crossings while ensuring the country’s internal security.

The Canada eTA is mandatory for entry into Canadian territory by air only. Any stay in Canada by land and sea does not therefore require you to apply for a Canada eTA. Note that the eTA Canada obligation also concerns transits by air.

There is no point in going to the airport without the mandatory Canada eTA, because the airlines are obliged to deny boarding to anyone who does not meet the Government of Canada’s immigration requirements. It is therefore essential to obtain travel authorization before leaving.

Who is the Canada eTA obligation for?

The Canada eTA requirement is only for nationals of visa-exempt countries. England being one of them, english nationals must submit to the eTA Canada obligation to go to Canada.

However, the eTA Canada obligation does not apply to French citizens residing in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, if they are traveling to Canada directly from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. Also exempt from the eTA Canada obligation are travelers with dual Canadian or American nationality (provided they have a valid passport – Canadian or American passport), Canadian permanent residents and, under certain conditions, holders of a valid Canadian visa (temporary resident visa, PVT, work permit, study permit, etc.).

The travel authorization does not allow you to work or study in Canada. It is also not an entry permit: the border services officer is responsible for accepting or refusing passengers arriving at the border. Its decision is based on the presentation of the mandatory travel documents (passport, eTA, exit ticket, etc.).

What are the other obligations of the Canada eTA?

The Canada eTA is linked to the traveler’s passport. Thus, any change relating to the passport entails the nullity of the eTA, which includes the renewal of the passport. The compulsory Canada eTA must be up to date, otherwise entry into Canada is prohibited.

The holder of an eTA Canada has the obligation to leave the country at the latest 6 months after his arrival. He can, however, make as many trips to Canada as he wishes during the validity of the eTA . It should be noted that the authorization is issued for a period of 5 years or until the expiry of the passport, if the latter expires before the end of the official duration of the eTA authorization.

How to obtain the mandatory Canada eTA?

The mandatory Canada eTA can only be obtained online via the official Canadian government website or through a private organization, such as our partner, for personalized assistance. No need to contact the Canadian Embassy or Consulate, as only online applications are processed.

The Canada eTA application consists of completing a form whose fields refer to passport data and the holder’s personal information. The online form is completed by 4 questions relating to untreated illnesses, criminal offenses and the traveller’s previous stays.

The form to be completed is validated once the payment of the 7 Canadian dollars authorization fee has been made. An acknowledgment of receipt is automatically sent to the e-mail address provided in the form. The final answer usually follows within a few minutes. In the event of a pending request, which is rare, an email is sent within a few days with a list of additional documents to be provided. Note that you can find your eTA application using the number you received by email.

Note that a refusal of eTA Canada is not a permanent ban on entry to Canada. The traveler can either repeat his request, if he notices a typing error, or apply for a visa at the embassy.