Before traveling to Canada, you must have a visa to be allowed on the airplane. However, nationals from particular countries are exempted from getting a visa and using an electronic travel authorization. Find out if you qualify to apply for this document and what you need to do to get it on time.
What Is An eTA, And What Might You Need It for?
An electronic travel authorization is a requirement for foreign nationals traveling into Canada without a visa. This document is only available to individuals from countries exempted from applying for a visitor visa. You can only get an eTA if traveling into Canada by air. If not, you should apply for a Visa to allow entry into this jurisdiction.
Who Can Apply for It?
Not everyone traveling into Canada should have an eTA. In most cases, travelers need a visa to enter Canadian airspace. However, specific individuals are exempted from applying for a visa and using an electronic travel authorization instead. Applicants must fulfill particular criteria before requesting electronic travel authorization. They should be:
- Traveling by air into Canada
- Nationals of visa-exempt countries
- Canadian citizens with dual citizenship
Requirements And Documentation Needed
Aside from the criteria above, having particular documents and a reputable track record supporting your eTA application is vital. You must:
- Have a valid passport
- Be in good health
- Have no criminal record or immigration convictions
- Have enough money to support yourself and other dependents with you during your stay
- Prove you will leave Canada at the end of your stay (usually six months at a time)
Where And How to Apply
Applications for an eTA are solely made online. You must submit your application online to allow you to receive your electronic pass before you land in Canada. Applicants should visit the Canadian eTA page on the immigration website for intel on how to go about the process. However, you do not need to provide too many documents to get this pass.
Once you visit the website, ensure you key in all the correct details while filling out the form. It takes a few minutes to complete the questionnaire, so have your application fees ready. You can effortlessly contact the support team for clarification in case of any issues.
An electronic travel authorization is necessary for you to move past a Canadian airport. Consequently, you should apply from abroad to avoid any inconveniences while traveling. The website is available in multiple languages to make it easier for people from multiple countries to access the service without soliciting help.
You can only apply for an eTA online, so if you have disabilities making it challenging to send an application, you can always ask someone to do it for you. Most importantly, you should have a valid email address that will be used to send notifications on the status of your application.
If you have difficulty completing the application forms or are not too confident using the internet, you can delegate this task to someone you trust. However, it’s important to note that you can only complete and pay for one eTA application at a go.
Once you complete the application, the immigration office will process it and send you a response within a few minutes. You are not required to provide biometrics for this document.
Cost, Validity, And Processing Time
Every eTA application costs $7 and is valid for five years. However, if your passport expires before the eTA, you should apply for a new electronic travel authorization code. It takes a few minutes to process an eTA, but in some cases, it could take longer.
