eTA Canada Visa Requirements

To be eligible to apply for eTA there are a number of requirements, including factors such as your nationality, criminal record and health status. If your application for eTA is refused, then you must apply for a standard Visa to enter Canada instead.

Entry Requirements for Canada

In order to obtain an eTA to visit Canada you must hold a valid passport from a visa exempt country. The United Kingdom is one of the exempt countries, so if you have a British passport you can apply for eTA. Your eTA application is an electronic update to your passport that shows the border authorities that you have been approved to enter the country.

You should check which items are not allowed to be taken into Canada and ensure that you do not travel with a restricted item. You may have your baggage checked when passing through security when you arrive in Canada, as security often check for restricted items.

Prerequisites for eTA Visa Canada

Which are the visa-exempt countries that can apply for eTA?

There are currently over 60 countries that are visa-exempt for travelling to Canada, these include British and Australian citizens. You can see the full list of countries here.

What do I need to apply for eTA Canada?

Firstly, you require a valid passport that includes a digital chip and photograph page that can be read by machines when going through passport control. You will also need to have a valid email address that you can supply on application, which is where you will receive communication regarding the status of your eTA application. You also require a valid debit or credit card so that you can pay the application fee.

Prevention of Terrorist Travel Act

To improve the national security of Canada, the Prevention of Terrorist Travel Act was introduced in 2015. The visa exemption forms part of the security protocol now in place for people entering Canada.

Do I need specific travel plans?

You do not need to have a specific travel itinerary to apply but you are required to provide contact details for where you are staying e.g. the first hotel you will be staying at.

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My eTA application was denied. What do I do now?

If you receive an email to say that your application has been denied, you should apply for a standard Canada visa. If you were to resubmit your application with the same information, it will be denied again. If you provide false information to try and get your eTA approved, then you will be permanently ineligible to apply for eTA.

You can check our FAQs for common queries about eTA denied applications.