Common Mistakes Applicants Make On Canada Visa Online Applications

Updated on Dec 10, 2024 | Canada eTA

Applying for a Canada eTA online is easy and seamless. It takes less than ten minutes to complete the application. Still, applicants often end up with a visa refusal issue, where the basic reason is some common mistakes they make. And, in today's blog, we will tell you about those slip-ups and how to avoid them. Let's begin.

Slip-ups to Avoid When Applying for a Canada eTA Online

Unless you know the visa process and its requirements, online visa application for Canada eTA can be daunting, although it is simple.Most importantly, avoiding probable mistakes is crucial to ensuring a successful application. Here's what you need to look into:

Choosing the wrong category for the visa

When applying for a Canada eTA, always determine your travel purpose. In most cases, selecting an incorrect visa category on the application is the reason for visa rejection. Canada eTA is available for tourism, business, transit, and pre-planned medical treatment. Hence, when choosing the visa category, make sure it aligns with your travel purpose to Canada, as the eligibility criteria, visa requirements, and document submissions can vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for.

Providing incomplete data

Applying in a rush is one of the other common mistakes that occur during an eTA application. Yet, applicants often provide inaccurate or incomplete details on the application. For instance:

  • Typo or mistype information when providing data for passport details, personal details, or travel dates
  • Inaccurate information and explanation about your purpose of visit, health information, and employment details
  • Missing documents, including supporting letters, passports, proof of financial documents, or photographs

As a result, the visa approval can be delayed or rejected, while you may experience legal consequences as well. To avoid such pitfalls, stay calm first of all when filling out the application; don't rush it at the last minute. Make your application at least a week before your intended date of boarding the flight.

Insufficient evidence for financial proof

When visiting Canada, whether for tourism purposes or business and medical treatments, it’s crucial to provide evidence of financial ability, i.e. proof of having sufficient funds in the bank account to accommodate your stay here during a trip. When you mistakenly give incorrect documents that prove your financial ability, like financial details, bank statements, or letters from sponsors, your visa application can be denied.

Overlooking medical treatment

Medical examination has become an imperative requirement in visa applications these days. Still, many applicants overlook the importance of medical examination, and here's where they make the biggest mistake. Not including your medical condition on the application can prolong the approval process or even deny it, leading to a new application.

Poor-quality documents

Canada eTA application process includes some additional document submission, such as a copy of the first two pages of your passport, bank statements, photograph, sponsor letter, etc. Each document should be of the highest quality and in the format required for the specific visa type. Unclear or illegible documents or scanned copies can cause visa delays or rejection due to being unable to read.

In a Nutshell

We hope this guide will help you avoid these common mistakes mentioned above. Still, if you don't feel confident and prefer expert help, we are here. At ONLINE CANADIAN ETA, our experienced agents guide applicants throughout the application process, from document translation to filling out an application to review after completion, ensuring a successful and error-free visa application, Contact now!


Check your eligibility for eTA Canada Visa and apply for eTA Canada Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. In addition to Spanish citizens, British citizens, Singapore citizens, Swiss citizens, Taiwanese citizens and Dutch citizens can apply online for Canada eTA.