Canada: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Checking if a Canada eTA site is legitimate? The only official site is canada.ca. Canada's eTA is required for visa-exempt travellers who fly to or transit through a Canadian airport.
Who needs it
Eligible visa-exempt visitors arriving by air. Lawful permanent residents of the United States are exempt.
Key facts
- Most applications are approved within minutes. If documents are needed, an email with instructions follows within 72 hours.
- The form is in English and French only, with field descriptions in other languages.
- Citizens of Qatar became eligible to apply for an eTA on 25 November 2025.
- Dual Canadian citizens need a Canadian passport rather than an eTA.
Watch out for
Apply only on the canada.ca page, which the Government of Canada describes as its official eTA site.
Before you pay
Check that the address matches the link above, confirm the amount on the portal, and never pay a site that adds a large service fee. Our guide to spotting fake visa websites explains the warning signs, and the FAQ covers common questions.
This page is a summary for general information and can go out of date, and exemptions depend on your own nationality, so always confirm on the official portal. See our disclaimer.