eTA
| Question | Answer |
| Do I need an eTA? | Hi. Visa-exempt foreign nationals need an eTA in order to enter Canada by air. For more info, please see: https://ircc.canada.ca/english/visit/visas.asp |
| Can you get an eTA with a temporary passport? | Hi. Yes the person can still apply for an eTA. When filling out the eTA form, select “Emergency/temporary travel document” from the drop-down menu for the question about what travel document you are using to travel to Canada. |
| I am a visa-exempt foreign national and am driving to Canada. Do I need an eTA? | Hi. If you are a visa-exempt foreign national, then you do not need an eTA if you are travelling to or transiting through Canada by land, sea or rail. You will only need a valid passport. |
| I am being told I am a PR. Is this a mistake? | Hi. If you received an email from us saying you have PR status, then we have a record that shows you are a PR. To note, PR status does not expire. If you were once a former resident of Canada, even as a child, you may still have PR status. To be able to travel to Canada, you need to resolve your PR status. Please refer to the email you were sent explaining the options available. If you no longer have the email, information about resolving your PR status is available here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new-immigrants/pr-card/understand-pr-status/am-i-pr.html |
| I am a US PR, do I need an eTA? | Hi. Lawful permanent residents of the United States must show these documents for all methods of travel to Canada: - a valid passport from their country of nationality (or an equivalent acceptable travel document) and - a valid green card (or equivalent valid proof of status in the United States). More information here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/entry-requirements-country.html#lawful-pr-us |
| I am a Canadian dual citizen who got a refusal for special authorization (to travel without a valid Canadian passport). What can I do now? | Hi. Please contact the closest consulate. https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates You will likely need to reschedule your flight. |
| I am a Canadian dual citizen without my Canadian passport and am stuck at an airport. Can you please help? | Hi. Go to this link and select “Apply for special authorization”. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/dual-canadian-citizens-visit-canada.html |
| I am a client from [eTA-X country]. Can I fly to Canada with eTA, travel to the U.S. and return to Canada using another mode of transport without needing a visa? Remember to replace country with one relevant to clients. Must be from the listed expansion countries: | Hi. As a [eTA-X country citizen] who entered Canada by air with a valid eTA, you are allowed to travel directly to the U.S. or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and return directly to Canada using another mode of transportation (e.g. car) without a visa. However, this is only possible during the period originally authorized for your stay in Canada (typical authorized stays are for up to six months). Also, if you exit the U.S. or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon at any time before you return to Canada, you will need to return by air, or you will need a visa to re-enter Canada using another mode of transportation. For example, you can fly to Canada and take a road trip to the U.S. side of Niagara Falls and drive back to Canada without a visa, but if this trip takes you further outside the U.S. (e.g. to Mexico or on a cruise ship), you will need a visa to re-enter Canada by land or sea. If you are travelling between Canada and the US via any combination of plane, train, car, bus or boat, your best option is to apply for a visa, as it gives you the most flexibility. |
| Can I apply for an eTA if I already have a visa? | Hi. You should continue to use your visa for travel to Canada, as long as it is valid. A visa will give you more flexibility, as you can enter Canada via all modes of transportation (air, car, bus, train, boat), as opposed to an eTA, which you can only use for air travel. If you already have a valid visa, it is possible to apply and be approved for an eTA. However, it is not necessary for you to apply for an eTA until your visa expires. |
| Who is eligible? Am I considered a “known” traveller? | Hi. Travellers who hold a valid passport from one of the following 14 countries: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/eligibility/eta-x.html and who have held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or currently hold a valid United States nonimmigrant visa, may be eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Those who do not meet all of the criteria will still need a visitor visa to travel to Canada. To find out about eTA and how to apply, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/facts.html Please note: eTAs can only be used to fly to Canada. Travellers will need a visitor visa when entering Canada by car, bus, train or boat, including a cruise ship. |
| I have a visa application in progress, and I’m not sure if it will get approved on time before my travel to Canada. Can I apply for an eTA instead to get a decision faster? [expansion countries] | Hi. If you are eligible, you have the option to apply for an eTA while your visa application is still in progress. You are allowed to have both documents and are not required to withdraw one application to apply for the other. |
| I have a passport from one the 15 countries (includes Brazil and Mexico), and I am planning to work or study in Canada. Can I apply for an eTA? | Hi. If you are applying for a new work or study permit you will be given a temporary resident visa (TRV) alongside your permit. You do not need an eTA if you already have a TRV. If your previous TRV expired, and you are renewing your work or study permit, you will be given an eTA. However, you must apply for a new visa if you plan travel to Canada by means other than air (car, bus, train or boat). You can find out if you need a visa or eTA by using our online tool: https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp |
| Am I still eligible for an eTA if I recently changed my name in my passport? (married, divorced etc) | Hi. Please note that no immigration decisions are made based on IRCC social media comments. FOR TRV CLIENTS: If the biographical information in your passport no longer matches the information IRCC has on file it is not possible to issue an eTA. If you apply for a new TRV with your updated information you will again be able to apply for an eTA. FOR USA VISA HOLDERS: Applicants who are eligible for eTA based on the requirement of having a current US Non-immigrant visa, but have changed their name since being issued their US visa will need to follow US procedures. Please refer to the following website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/frequently-asked-questions/about-basics.html#:~:text=If%20your%20name%20has%20legally,and%20from%20the%20United%20States |
| Hello. I am a dual citizen. One of my citizenships is eTA eligible, the other is not. I have a Canadian TRV and/or a U.S. non-immigrant visa in the non eTA eligible passport. Can I still apply for an eTA? | Hi. With the information provided, you are not eligible to get an eTA and must apply for a visitor visa. To be eligible for an eTA, your Canadian TRV and/or U.S. non-immigrant visa must be in your eTA eligible passport. |
| What are the travel document requirements for Mexicans traveling to Canada? | Before travelling to Canada, we recommend you review the information available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/campaigns/eta-work-visa-mexico.html to find out what works best for your situation. For information about what you need to travel, including application instructions, please see: https://ircc.canada.ca/english/visit/visas.asp |