What is the validity of the Canada eTA?

In order to travel to Canada, an Electronic Travel Authorization is required. This authorization is issued via the Internet in the same way as an ESTA request for the USA.

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 present below the elements of information concerning the period of validity of the eTA.

How to check the validity of a Canada eTA?

The Canada eTA, for Electronic Travel Authorization, is an official electronic document obtained following an online request made on the Canadian government website. In other words, it is not necessary to go to the Canadian embassy, or to the consulate if applicable, to obtain this authorization. Only the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, Canadian Citizenship) is authorized to issue an eTA to nationals of countries exempt from Canadian visas (including French citizens) who meet the eligibility conditions.

The fact that only the Government of Canada is entitled to issue a travel authorization does not impose a request on the official site. It is quite possible to call on a private organization, such as our partner, to apply for an eTA. Unlike the ministry’s website, a private organization offers you personalized assistance if needed. The validity of the Canada eTA is not at all called into question if it is obtained via a private site.

The validity of the Canada eTA depends on the passport to which it is linked. Of course, only a valid passport is recognized (Travel advice: it is recommended to have a remaining validity period of six months). In the event of a new passport or a change in the data of the latter, a new request must be sent to the Canadian authorities. We remind you that to complete the Canada eTA form, you must enter the passport number, surname and first names of the holder, date and place of birth, sex, date of issue and date of expiry. A modification of these data renders the eTA void.

Since the authorization request is also based on 4 questions concerning the traveler’s situation, the validity of the Canada eTA depends on the evolution of the situation. Thus, in the event of a new untreated disease or a new criminal offence, for example, the eTA is no longer valid. However, this information is difficult to verify and therefore depends on the honesty of the traveler.

It is not necessary to print the authorization since it is electronic. On the other hand, it is obligatory to obtain the authorization before leaving. The validity of the Canada eTA is not compromised by the absence of a paper version. The border services officer does not ask to see the eTA, but he will probably ask for the exit ticket and any other required document appropriate to the situation, particularly in the case of a minor child traveling with you (for example, a birth certificate, photocopy of divorce certificate, etc.).

How long is the Canada eTA valid for?

There is no need to complete the online form for all trips to Canada: the validity period of the Canada eTA is 5 years from the date of issue. The approval, just like the refusal, is communicated very quickly by e-mail once the payment of the 7 $ CAN has been made. An application may, exceptionally, be placed on hold by the Canada immigration services if additional supporting documents are necessary. Either way, Canadian immigration contacts the applicant within a few days. The acknowledgment of receipt is sent to you within 72 hours. In case of refusal, the applicant can make a new request if he thinks that this negative response is due to an input error. If no error has been made, a visa application can be forwarded to the Canadian Embassy. Not being eligible for the eTA is, in fact, not an obstacle to obtaining a Canadian visa.

Note that the validity period of the Canada eTA depends on the validity of the passport used at the time of the application. The Government of Canada issues an eTA for up to 5 years provided the passport does not expire before. For example, if an electronic or biometric passport expires within 3 years of an application, then the eTA is valid for 3 years. It is not possible to carry over the remaining two years to a new passport.

The traveler can make as many stays as he wishes during the 5 years of validity of the Canada eTA, provided however that each stay does not exceed 6 months. It is not a question here of being a permanent resident with an eTA authorization but just of making a tourist stay. It should also be noted that the eTA is only required for entry into Canadian territory by air, including transits.