What is Canada Visa Application?
Canada Visa Application
is an electronic online form as recommended by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC),
to be completed by those who intend to enter Canada for short trips.
This Canada Visa Application is a replacement of paper-based process. Also, you can save a trip to Canadian Embassy,
because the Canada Visa Online (eTA Canada) is issued by email against your passport details.
Most applicants can complete the Canada Visa Application Online in under five minutes, and they are discouraged by
the Canadian Government from visiting Canadian Embassy to apply paper based process.
You require an Internet connected device, an email address and Credit or Debit card to pay the fees online.
Once, Canada Visa Application is filled online on this website, it is vetted by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to
check for your identity.
Most of the Canada Visa Applications are decided in under 24 hours and some could take upto 72 hours.
The decision of Canada Visa Online is communicated to you by the email address provided.
Once the Canada Visa Online outcome is decided, you can keep the record of email on your phone or print it out before
visiting the Cruise Ship or Airport.
You do not need any physical stamp on your passport because the airport immigration staff will check
for your visa on the computer.
You need to makes sure the details filled in Canada Visa Application on this website must match exactly as far as
your first name, surname, data of birth, passport number and passport issue and passport expiry date are concerned to
avoid being rejected at the airport at the time of boarding flight.
Who is exempt from applying for Canada eTA to enter Canada?
Citizens of Canada and the United States need only their Canadian or U.S. Passports to travel to Canada.
US lawful Permanent Residents, who are in possession of a U.S. Green Card also do not require Canada eTA.
When you travel, make sure to bring
- a valid Passport from your country of nationality
- proof of your status as a permanent resident of the U.S., such as a valid green card (officially known as a permanent resident card)
Who can apply for Canada Visa Online (or Canada eTA)
Only citizens of the following countries are exempted from obtaining a Visa to travel to Canada and must apply instead for the eTA to Canada.
Only those visitors who are traveling to Canada by air through a commercial or chartered flight need to apply for the eTA to Canada. Find out if you are eligible for Canada eTA.
Conditional Canada eTA
Passport holders of the following countries are eligible to apply for a Canada eTA if they satisfy the conditions listed below:
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You held a Canada Visitor Visa in the last ten (10) years Or you currently hold a valid US nonimmigrant visa.
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You must enter Canada by air.
If any of the above condition is not satisfied, then you must instead apply for a Canada Visitor Visa.
Canada Visitor Visa is also referred to as Canada Temporary Resident Visa or TRV.
For Conditional Canada eTA countries, since their eligibility depends upon previously issued Canada Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) or US non-immigrant visa, passport holders must travel with old passport if it holds:
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your expired Canadian visitor visa, or
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your valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa.
Types of Canada eTA
The Canada eTA has 04 types, or in other words, you can apply for the Canada eTA when the purpose of your visit to the country is any one of the following:
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Transit or layover when you have to stop at a Canadian airport or city for a brief period of time till your next flight to your final destination.
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Tourism, sightseeing, visiting family or friends, coming to Canada on a school trip, or attending a short course of study that does not award any credits.
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For business purposes, including business meetings, business, professional, scientific, or educational conference or convention, or for the settling of the affairs of an estate.
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For planned medical treatment in a Canadian hospital.
Information required for Canada eTA
Canada eTA applicants will need to provide the following information at the time of filling out online Canada eTA Application Form:
- Personal information like name, place of birth, date of birth
- Passport number, date of issue, date of expiry
- Contact information such as address and email
- Job details
Before you apply for Canada eTA
Travelers who intend to apply online for Canada eTA must fulfil the following conditions:
A valid Passport for travel
The applicant’s passport must be valid for at least 03 months beyond the departure date, the date when you leave Canada.
There should also be a blank page on the passport so that the Customs Officer can stamp your passport.
Your eTA for Canada, if approved, will be linked to your valid Passport, so you are also required to have a valid Passport, which can be either an Ordinary Passport, or an Official, Diplomatic, or Service Passport, all issued by eligible countries.
Dual Canadian citizens and Canadian Permanent Residents are not eligible for Canada eTA. If you have dual citizenship
from Canada and United Kingdom for instance, then you must use your Canadian passport to enter Canada. You are not eligible to apply for
Canada eTA on your British Passport.
A valid Email ID
The applicant will receive Canada eTA by email, therefore a valid Email ID is required to receive Canada eTA.
The form can be completed by the visitors intending to arrive by clicking here
eTA Canada Visa Application form.
Method of Payment
Since the eTA Canada Via application form is only available online, without a paper equivalent, a valid credit/debit card or PayPal account is required.
Applying for the Canada eTA
Eligible Foreign Nationals who wish to travel to Canada need to apply for the eTA for Canada online.
The entire process is web-based, from application, payment, and submission to getting notified of the result of the application.
The applicant will have to fill the Canada eTA application form with relevant details, including contact details, previous travel details, passport details, and other
background information such as health and criminal record.
All persons traveling to Canada, regardless of their age, will have to fill this form.
Once filled, the applicant will have to make the eTA application payment using a credit or debit card and then submit the application.
Most decisions are reached within 24 hours and the applicant is notified via email but some cases may take a few days or weeks to process.
It’s best to apply for the eTA for Canada as soon as you have finalised your travel plans and no later than 72 hours before your scheduled entry into Canada .
You will be notified of the final decision by email and in case your application is not approved you might try applying for the Canada Visa.
How long does Canada eTA application take to process
It is advisable to apply for Canada eTA at least 72 hours before you plan to enter the country.
Validity of the Canada eTA
The eTA for Canada is valid for a period of 5 years from the date of its issue or lesser if the Passport that it is electronically linked to expires before the 5 years.
The eTA allows you to stay in Canada for the maximum of 6 months at a time but you can use it to visit the country repeatedly within the period of its validity.
However, the actual duration you would be allowed to stay in for at a time would be decided by the border officials depending upon your purpose of visit and will be stamped
on your Passport.
Entry into Canada
The eTA for Canada is required so that you can board a flight to Canada as without it you cannot get on any Canada bound flight.
However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or the Canadian border officials can deny you entry at the airport
even if you are an approved Canada eTA holder if at the time of entry:
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you do not have all your documents, such as your passport in order, which will be checked by the border officials
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if you pose any health or financial risk
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and if you have previous criminal/terrorist history or previous immigration issues
If you have arranged all the documents required for the Canada eTA and meet all eligibility conditions for the
eTA for Canada, then you are ready to apply for Canada Visa Online
whose application form is quite simple and straightforward.
If you require any clarifications you should contact our helpdesk for support and guidance.
Documents that the Canada Visa Online applicant may be asked at the Canada border
Means of supporting themselves
The applicant may be asked to provide evidence that they can financially support and sustain themselves during their stay in Canada.
Onward/return flight ticket.
The applicant may be required to show that they intend to leave Canada after the purpose of trip for which Canada eTA was applied is over.
If the applicant does not have an onward ticket, they may provide the proof of funds and ability to buy a ticket in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Canada eTA valid for?
Once approved, the Canada eTA is generally valid for up to five years or until the expiration of your passport, whichever comes
first.
What is the processing time for the Canada eTA application?
The processing time for Canada eTA applications vary, but it usually takes up to 72 hours to receive a response.
While most Canada eTAs are issued within 24 hours, it is recommended to apply well in advance of your travel date to account
for any potential delays.
Can I use the Canada eTA for multiple entries into Canada?
Yes, the Canada eTA allows you to make multiple entries into Canada during its validity period.
You can take multiple trips without the need to reapply for a new Canada eTA.
Can I extend my stay in Canada with the eTA?
The Canada eTA does not provide automatic eligibility for an extension of your stay in Canada.
However if you wish to stay longer than the authorized duration, you must apply for an extension with
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) once you are in Canada.
Can I apply for a Canada eTA on behalf of my family members?
Everyone must apply for their own Canada eTA, including infants and children. Parents or guardians can fill out the application on
behalf of minors.
Can I Apply for the Canada eTA without booking airline tickets?
It is not mandatory to book flight tickets before applying for the Canada eTA. Often it is advised and recommended that the
travelers apply for the eTA first so that if any issues arise, they have the necessary time to rectify or resolve them.
Is it necessary for me to know the exact date of when I will be arriving in Canada?
No. Though the online Canada eTA application provides space for the applicants to fill out information regarding their arrival date
and itinerary in Canada, you are not required to submit it in the application.
Canada eTA Visa 2024 updates
The Canadian Government has provided this simple route to enter the country based on a simplified online process. When applying for Electronic Travel Authority (eTA Canada Visa), please consider the following, for a smooth approval process:
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Temporary Resident Visa has become a requirement for Mexican Citizens since 2024
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As per the eligibility requirements, there are two type of countries eligible for Canada eTA Visa
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Tourism is one of the allowed purposes for which you can enter Canada
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The application process takes a few minutes to complete an Online Application Form
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Business can also be a reason to obtain Canada eTA Visa, if you stay duration is less than Six Months (180 days)
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After applying for eTA, access your email every twelve hours in case immigration officers ask for additional information.
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Note our guide on how to enter the name correctly in the visa form
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Check the Canada eTA Visa status on the on enquiry page
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Validity of Canada eTA is five years from the date of issue.