Canada entry requirements can include passport checks, visa rules, Electronic Travel Authorization, permitted length of stay and arrival questions at the border. This page gives you a clear overview before traveling to Canada and links to the dedicated eTA Canada guide when you need more detail.
Travelers entering Canada must check whether they need a visa, an Electronic Travel Authorization, or another type of permission before travel.
Many visa-exempt foreign nationals need an eTA to fly to Canada or transit through a Canadian airport. Travelers entering by car, bus, train or boat may follow different rules.
For a full explanation of the electronic travel authorization, read the dedicated Canada eTA guide.
eTA means Electronic Travel Authorization. It is an online travel authorization linked electronically to the traveler’s passport.
The eTA is used for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air or transiting through a Canadian airport.
The Canada eTA is not a visa. If your nationality requires a visa for Canada, you must apply for the correct visa instead.
Canada entry rules depend on your nationality, travel document, travel purpose and method of travel. Some travelers need a visa, while others may need an eTA when flying to Canada.
A visitor may generally be allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months, but the final decision is made by Canadian border officers at entry.
An eTA does not extend your stay, does not allow you to work or study without the correct authorization, and does not guarantee entry into Canada.
Before traveling to Canada, check that your passport is valid and matches the document used for your eTA or visa application.
An eTA is electronically linked to one passport. If you get a new passport, you need to apply for a new eTA before flying to Canada.
Each traveler, including children, must travel with the correct passport or travel document.
The eTA requirement mainly applies to visa-exempt foreign nationals who travel to Canada by air or transit through a Canadian airport.
Travelers entering Canada by car, bus, train or boat, including cruise ship, may not need an eTA, but they must still meet Canada entry requirements.
Always check the official Government of Canada website before departure, especially if your route includes a land border or sea arrival.
Use official Government of Canada websites when checking entry requirements or submitting travel information. This is especially important when a form asks for passport details, travel dates, contact details or payment information.
The official eTA application page is linked from this site for convenience, but travelers should always verify the domain before entering personal data.
Common mistakes include confusing eTA with a visa, applying on unofficial paid websites, using the wrong passport, assuming that eTA guarantees entry, or forgetting that eTA mainly applies to air travel.
Prepare your passport, travel dates, accommodation details, contact information, payment method and visa or eTA status before departure.
It depends on your nationality, travel document, travel purpose and method of travel. Some travelers need a visa, while many visa-exempt foreign nationals need an eTA when flying to Canada.
Visa-exempt foreign nationals generally need an eTA to fly to Canada or transit through a Canadian airport.
No. The Canada eTA is an electronic travel authorization. It is not a visa and does not guarantee entry into Canada.
Check your passport, visa or eTA status, travel purpose, permitted length of stay, onward travel, accommodation details and airline boarding rules.
You should use official Government of Canada websites when checking entry rules or submitting eTA or visa information.
Canada Entry Requirements