Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for Canada

All travelers who wish to go to Canada must check what type of document is needed for them to enter the country. Most nationalities must apply for a Canadian Visitor visa online instead of physically visit the nearest Canadian Visa Application Center, but 58 nationalities are visa-exempt. However, the travelers who are visa-exempt (except for US citizens) must obtain an electronic travel authorization to enter Canada if they travel by air.

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What is an ETA (electronic travel authorization)?

An electronic travel authorization, or an ETA, for Canada, is an electronic document that allows you to cross the border. It lets the Canadian government know who is planning to visit their country. While we call it a document, it is not necessary for its physical form. Instead, the ETA is electronically linked to your passport. All visa-exempt travelers must obtain one, and fortunately, it can be purchased online.

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How to apply for an electronic travel authorization (ETA) for Canada

The online application process could not be more convenient, and iVisa can help with that. All you need is a passport, a valid e-mail address, and a means of payment that allows you to pay online (credit/debit card, Paypal). One important note here is that the passport should be valid for at least another 6 months from the date of arrival in the country of Canada.

Once you get the requirements, complete the application form. We have created a simple and short form that you should complete in no more than 20 minutes. If you need assistance, chat with one of our super operators 24/7.

The form we are talking about is broken down into three simple steps:

Step number one requires you to fill out your data and information about your trip. At this moment, you need to choose a processing time. You are given three options, and they have different fees:
- Standard processing – it has a low-priced and your electronic visa will be ready in 24 hours. The cost of it is USD $49.49.
- Rush processing – get your Canada ETA in only 12 hours, but pay the amount of USD $86.49.
- Super Rush processing – in some cases you need your ETA as soon as possible, so you can choose this and your virtual document will be completed in 6 hours and the price is USD $130.49.
During the second step, you must make the payment and revise step one. Since corrections are impossible to make once the application is done, we recommend that you check your form for typos and other errors. Otherwise, your Canada ETA will be invalid.
The last step asks you to upload the necessary documentation such as a copy of your passport’s information page. If additional documents are required, iVisa will let you know. After all three steps are complete; you are given the green light to submit your application.

All in all, an electronic travel authorization (ETA) for Canada is easy to obtain, especially if you apply online with iVisa. The electronic authorization has a validation for 5 years after issued or until passport expires. You are allowed Multiple Entry, but you cannot stay in Canada for more than 180 days Per Entry.

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Yixi (Sophia) Li is the co-author of this article. She is a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) who has been working with an immigration law firm since 2016. She is also a licensed paralegal in Ontario and a notary public. She has a Masters of Law. In 2018, she founded Mainstay Immigration Law Firm and Yixi Li Legal Firm.