Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) Application

Updated on Jan 23, 2024 | Canada eTA

The online procedure of the Canada Visa application is very convenient and feasible. Visitors who are eligible for eTA Canada Visa Application can obtain the required permit sitting from home at any time of the day without having to travel to any embassy or consulate for that matter.

To further make the process easy and efficient for yourself, the applicants can go through frequently asked questions placed on the website and acquaint themselves with the kind of answers the application form will require. This way they will also know what will be the questions they will be asked and can prepare their application accordingly. Not only will this make the application process faster for the applicant, but also make sure that there is no room for errors on the form. The applicant will know prior to the application process.

Please note that this is done solely for the purpose of submitting a proper and detailed form on the website, otherwise, if your form contains errors or any kind of misguided information there is a high chance of your visa application getting rejected by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

It is always a safe option to understand the process and get familiarized with the required questions in this article below. We will be guiding you through the application process so that there is no space for your application form to get rejected. Kindly keep a note of everything mentioned here. Also, know that the questions asked in the Canada Visa Application Form need to be answered and submitted at least 72 hours before your departure.

What is Canada Electronic Travel Authorization Application?

Nowadays, Canada Visa applications have been replaced with eTA Canada Visa which holds the same importance, has similar criteria and gives the same permit to the travellers. The abbreviated term eTA stands for Electronic Travel Authorisation.

An eTA Canada Visa is a required travel authorisation that you will be needing to fly to Canada without carrying the tradition visitor or tourist visa with you. With the availability of the Canada Visa Online Application form, the applicant can easily apply for an eTA without having to face any kind of hurdle in the process. It is smooth and it takes minimal time to profit. It is an understood fact that the ETA cannot be a physical document but only an electronic permit for passengers travelling to the country of Canada without a visa.

Kindly note that all the applications are vetted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If they are convinced that you are not a security threat, then your application form will be approved at once. These are a few official assessments that need to be done before eTA Canada Visa is approved.

At the time of airport check-in, your airline staff will be required to check whether you are carrying a valid eTA Canada Visa based on your passport number. This is done to exclude all undesirable/unauthorised travellers from boarding on the flight to maintain safety protocols of authorised people on board.

Why is eTA Canada Visa required?

You will need to apply for an eTA Canada Visa if you are planning to travel to Canada via aeroplane for let's say holiday trip, a visit to your family and friends, a business/seminar trip or wish to transfer to a different country. The eTA Canada Visa is also required for underage children, they too must have their own eTA Canada Visa to show at the time of check-in.

However, there are a few scenarios in which you will have to apply for a visa for the purpose of travelling. For example, if you plan on staying in the country of Canada for a period of more than 6 months or if you somehow do not meet the criteria of the eTA Canada Visa then in such cases you will have to apply for a tourist or visitor visa.

Please note that traditional visa applications are generally more complex and costly than applying for an eTA Canada Visa. Canada eTA is also accepted and processed faster than visas, hassle-free. It generally is approved within 3 days and if there is a scene of emergency then in a few minutes itself. You can learn more about eligiblity for eTA Canada Visa here. Additionally, there are certain kind restrictions imposed on people who wish to apply for the purpose of study or work in Canada.

Kindly note that you are not required to apply for an eTA Canada given you already have a visa with you or even a Canadian or US passport would do for travelling purposes. Neither is the eTA applicable if you happen to arrive in the country by land.

Eligiblity requirements for Canada eTA

Canada Visa Application eTA Canada Visa Application can be obtained online to enter Canada for tourism or business or transit

Your application for an ETA Canada is only allowed if you meet the requirements mentioned below:

  • You are of European nationalities, such as belonging to the United Kingdom or Ireland or happen to belong to the countries mentioned on the website. You can see the full list of eligible countries for eTA Canada Visa here.
  • You are planning your trip to Canada for a holiday or study purpose or you are on a business trip or considering a transfer from a country.
  • You are not a safety threat or a threat to public health.
  • You abide by the Canadian COVID 19 preventive rules.
  • You have no criminal history attached to you and have never done any illegal immigration or visa-related theft.

Validity of Canada eTA

The validity of your Canada eTA becomes functional the moment you get your application approved. The validity of your eTA only expires as soon as your passport against which your eTA Canada Visa was applied with, expires. In case you are using a new passport, you will be required to place a fresh application for a new Canada eTA or Canada Visa Online. Kindly note that your eTA is only required to be valid at the time of check-in and at the time of your arrival in Canada.

Also, note that your passport is also required to be valid for the entire period of your stay in the country of Canada. Your stay in the country is valid for a period of upto six months on a single visit. With this validity period eTA Canada Visa, you can choose to travel to Canada as many times as you like. You are only required to keep in mind that every stay of yours can last only up to six consecutive months.

A biometric passport is one of primary Canada eTA requirements. Applicants are requested to provide with complete passport details, the provided details are then used to verify the eligibility of the person if he/she is allowed to enter Canada or not.

There are a few questions visitors are required to answer, such as:

  • Which country issued their passport?
  • What is the passport number that is given towards the top of the page?
  • Date when the passport got issued and when does it expire?
  • What is the visitor's full name (as it is printed on the passport)?
  • Date of birth of the applicant?

Applicants should make sure of these details before the completion of the form. All the information provided must be correct and up to date without leaving any space for errors or mistakes to occur. Any minor mistake in the form can lead to cancellation of the application form or lead to delays and disrupted travelling plans.

There are a few background questions on the eTA Canada Visa Application form just to cross check with the applicant's history. This happens after all the relevant passport information has been provided in the form. The first question likely would be if the applicant has ever been refused a visa or a permit while travelling to Canada or is ever denied entry or requested to exit the country . If the applicant's answer is yes, then further questions might be asked and details will be required to be provided for the same.

If the applicant is found to hold criminal history, he or she will be asked about the date and location of the crime, the offence committed and the nature of it. Please note that it is possible to enter Canada with a criminal record given the nature of your crime does not pose a threat to the people of Canada. If the authorities find that the nature of your crime is a threat to public, then you will be denied entry into the country.

For medical and health-related purposes, eTA Canada Visa Application form asks questions like if the applicant has been diagnosed with tuberculosis or has stayed in touch with a person who is suffering from the same for the past two years. In addition to this, there is a list of medical conditions that is provided to the applicant so that they can recognise and state their illness from the list (if any). If the applicant is suffering from a disease mentioned in the list, he/she need not worry for his application to get straight away rejected. All of the applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis where multiple factors come in play.

Other relevant questions asked on Canada Visa Application form

In addition to these, there are a few other questions asked to answer before the request can be processed for review. These questions can be categorised as follows:

  • Applicant's contact details
  • Applicant's employment and marital status
  • Applicant's travel plans

Contact details are also required for eTA application:

The eTA applicants should provide with a valid email address. Please note that the Canada eTA process is executed online and all responses will take place vis email. Also, a notification is sent out through email as soon as the electronic travel authorization gets approved, therefore make sure the address you have provided with is valid and current.

Along with this, your residential address is also required.

Questions about your employment and marital status will also be required to answer. Several options will be provided to the applicant to choose from the drop down list on their marital status section.

The employment details required by the form will include the applicant's current job title, the name of the company where he or she works for and his or her occupation in the company. They are also required to mention the year in which they started working. You have options of homemaker or unemployed or retired if you have never had employment or are no longer currently employed.

Date of arrival and related flight information questions:

The passengers are not required to buy flight tickets before hand. After the ETA selection process is over, they can choose to get their respective tickets. There is no requirement to show proof of the ticket before the application process begins.

However, travellers who already have a pre-decided schedule are required to provide the arrival date and, if known, the timings of the concerned flight if asked.

READ MORE:
What next after completing and making payment for eTA Canada Visa. After you apply for eTA Canada Visa: Next steps.


Check your eligibility for eTA Canada Visa and apply for eTA Canada Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. British citizens, Italian citizens, Spanish citizens, and Israeli citizens can apply online for eTA Canada Visa. Should you need any help or require any clarifications you should contact our helpdesk for support and guidance.