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Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
An Electronic Travel Authorization is the pre-screening a visa-exempt foreign national needs before flying to Canada. It is tied to the traveller’s passport and turns on admissibility rather than a full visa assessment. The requirements below are quoted from the official IRCC source and link back to it.
Sources on this page last verified Jul 27, 2026.
Eligibility criteria
The requirements below are drawn directly from the governing regulation and IRCC program guidance for Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Each is anchored to the verbatim source text, not a paraphrase, so you can read the rule as it is written and follow it to the official page.
“one of the following acceptable methods of payment to pay the $7 CAD fee (non-refundable): - Visa®, Mastercard®, American Express®, - a pre-paid Visa®, Mastercard® or American Express®, - Visa Debit, or Debit Mastercard, - UnionPay®, or - JCB Card®.”
“Individuals who are accredited foreign representatives to Canada (for example, diplomatic, consular or official personnel) and their accredited family members can’t become permanent residents while they are still accredited.”
“All documents have been submitted.”
“To apply, you must have a valid passport, a credit or debit card and an email address, and you must answer a few questions in the online application.”
“have an evaluation result in at least one language skill area issued by an organization or institution designated under subsection 74(3) of the IRPR”
“Determine whether biometric information is required or has already been provided and whether the biometric fee has been paid.”
“a person may have a dual or eventual intent to become a permanent resident, but in order to qualify for a temporary resident visa, they must demonstrate that they have the capacity and willingness to leave Canada at the end of the authorized temporary period”
“a foreign national who is seeking to enter and remain in Canada on a temporary basis with the intention of receiving medical treatment in the province of Quebec must hold a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) if the laws of that province require the foreign national to hold that document [R7(3)].”
“If you’re a citizen of an eTA-required country, what you need to enter Canada depends on how you’re travelling.”
“You may be eligible to apply for an eTA (instead of a visitor visa) if you’re a citizen of select visa-required countries and you’re travelling to Canada by air.”
“All the questions on the application form are answered.”
“all questions on the application forms have been answered”
“Check that the application forms have been properly completed and signed by the applicant.”
“Language test results are conclusive evidence of an applicant’s language proficiency pursuant to subsection R74(7). No other documentary evidence or explanation will be considered.”
“You must convince the officer that you’re eligible for entry to Canada.”
“were unable to complete language evaluations, administered by a designated organization or institution designated under subsection 74(3) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), in all four language skill areas, due to a physical or mental disability”
“If the applicant completed a foreign diploma, certificate or credential, the ECA report must demonstrate an equivalency to a completed Canadian secondary or post-secondary educational credential from a recognized institution.”
“An ECA report with an assessment result showing 'from a non-recognized institution' does not demonstrate an equivalency to a Canadian secondary or post-secondary educational credential.”
“Applicants in certain immigration classes must submit a completed foreign educational credential and an equivalency assessment (Educational Credential Assessment [ECA] report issued by a designated organization or professional body to immigrate to Canada.”
“An ECA report stating that the foreign credential is equivalent to a number of years of study[Footnote 1](#fn1) does not demonstrate an equivalency to a completed Canadian educational credential (for example, 'One year of undergraduate study').”
“enter the test results into your Express Entry profile (and the language test result form or certificate number and test PIN, if the system asks for it)”
“foreign nationals may apply for an eTA only if they meet at least 1 of the 2 eligibility requirements at the time of application: have held a Canadian temporary resident visa (TRV) in the past 10 years; hold a valid United States (U.S.) non-immigrant visa”
“The electronic travel authorization (eTA) application is available online only.”
“You need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) and a valid passport to board your flight to Canada if you’re a citizen of any of the eTA-required countries.”
“if you’re travelling by sea from Saint Pierre-et-Miquelon (excluding cruise ships), you need an eTA to board your boat.”
“A foreign national or an individual who, because of a disability, is unable to meet a requirement to make an electronic application may do so by any other means that is made available or specified by the Minister for that purpose, such as the paper application form”
“Clients may use means other than the electronic option if they meet one of the following exceptions:”
“pay the applicable processing and biometric collection fee”
“Visa officers must be satisfied that satisfactory financial arrangements have been made to cover costs not related to the organ donation, e.g., for the applicant's transportation to and from Canada as well as for accommodation and living expenses while in Canada.”
“The applicant must identify in their application for permanent residence which language—English or French—is to be considered their first official language in Canada.”
“When submitting an application for a TRV, all applicants must complete, sign and date the following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) forms, unless otherwise noted: Application for Temporary Resident Visa [IMM 5257]”
“Family Information [IMM 5707] Note: This form must be completed by those aged 18 years or older only.”
“the forms have been validated”
“Applicants must create a GCKey or use a Sign-In Partner to access their secure account.”
“Applicants under 18 must have a guardian or parent sign for them.”
“Officers should be satisfied that the prospective donor is indeed the individual submitting the TRV application.”
“Applicants who submit required and/or requested documents without accompanying translations will have their application returned as incomplete.”
“citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia who meet certain requirements may be eligible to apply for an eTA instead of a visitor visa, to travel to Canada by air.”
“Foreign nationals living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda can’t travel to Canada as of May 27, 2026.”
“convince a border services officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit”
“The applicant must demonstrate that they have attained a language proficiency of level 5 in the Canadian Language Benchmarks or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens in either English or French, for each of the 4 language skill areas: reading, writing, speaking, listening”
“Pursuant to paragraph 75(2)(d) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), the applicant must demonstrate that they meet or exceed the threshold set by the minister for proficiency in either English or French for each of the four language skill areas: reading, writing, speaking and listening.”
“Application forms must be in English or French.”
“You must prove your language skills by taking an approved language test.”
“Foreign nationals who are in Canada as temporary residents and are seeking to extend their temporary resident status or their authorization to work or study **must apply** by electronic means only, unless otherwise specified.”
“The certificate must indicate that their health condition is not likely to be a danger to public health or public safety, and unless subsection A38(2) applies, is not reasonably expected to cause excessive demand.”
“The visa officer must be satisfied that the potential compatibility of the donor applicant and the recipient has been medically established.”
“No public health risk or danger, no public safety danger and no excessive demand.”
“Potential risk to public health. Medical surveillance required. Conditional entry recommended if granted entry to Canada.”
“A health condition is present but is not expected to place an excessive demand on health or social services.”
“Inadmissible due to danger to public health (for example, active infectious tuberculosis).”
“Inadmissible due to excessive demand on health and social services.”
“Inadmissible due to danger to public safety (for example, psychopathic personality).”
“they meet the requirements of the Act and Regulations”
“Minors traveling alone require a letter from both parents authorizing them to travel.”
“When travelling alone, minors must be in possession of a passport or travel document issued in their own name.”
“If the minor is the subject of a custody order or is in a single-parent family, a copy of the custody order is required; or proof of custody and/or the other parent's written consent for the trip.”
“Minors travelling with one parent require a letter of authorization from the non-accompanying parent.”
“have no criminal or immigration-related convictions”
“The visa officer must be satisfied on a balance of probabilities that no sale of human organs is taking place.”
“As a temporary resident, the applicant is not eligible for any provincial health coverage.”
“If an applicant has a medical condition that could pose a danger to the public health or safety of Canadian residents, the application should be refused under paragraph A38(1)(a) or A38(1)(b) respectively.”
“Documents that are already in English or French do not have to be translated, even if the application is in the other official language.”
“If an applicant is seeking medical treatment that would cause displacement on a waiting list for Canadians, the application should be refused under paragraph A38(1)(c).”
“Canadian citizens are not eligible to apply for an eTA and must travel to Canada using a Canadian passport.”
“Part 1, Division 4, of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) refers to inadmissibilities.”
“If the applicant is a permanent resident of Canada, they are not eligible for an eTA.”
“Officers should not finalize the applications or issue visas until they are satisfied, based on documentary evidence, that the applicants are no longer accredited.”
“Applicants worldwide are required to submit an application for a TRV, study permit or work permit electronically through the IRCC secure account, IRCC portal or the Authorized Paid Representatives Portal, unless an exception applies.”
“R52 requires that an applicant hold a passport or travel document that is valid for the entire period authorized for the person’s stay.”
“one of the following acceptable methods of payment to pay the $7 CAD fee (non-refundable):”
“one of the following acceptable methods of payment to pay the $7 CAD fee (non-refundable)”
“The treating physician should be affiliated with a Canadian institution that can provide the services required by the applicant.”
“Determine whether the appropriate processing fee has been paid;”
“translations must not be done by the applicants themselves, members of the applicant’s family, the applicant’s representatives or consultants”
“submit proof from the institution in which the treatment will take place that arrangements have been made for treatment”
“submit proof that satisfactory financial arrangements have been made to cover the cost of the treatment as well as all related expenses, including follow-up care and living expenses for the time spent in Canada (in some cases, a third party or a charity may cover the expenses)”
“Proof of payment has been submitted.”
“If an applicant is seeking medical treatment in Canada, the applicant should submit proof from the treating physician indicating that arrangements have been made for the treatment.”
“R10(2)(a) requires that an application contain all of the following for the applicant and all family members of the applicant, whether accompanying or not: name, birth date, address, nationality, immigration status, a statement whether the applicant or any of the family members is the spouse, common-law partner or conjugal (R10(2)(a))”
“also meet the requirements of R179, regardless of whether they initially required a temporary resident visa (TRV) or not.”
“apply before their status expires and have complied with all the conditions that were imposed on entry (R181).”
“schedule your test with an agency approved by IRCC and pay the costs”
“Applicants must use the [IRCC Secure Account](https://www.canada.ca/content/canadasite/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account.html) (referred to as MyAccount or MyCIC Account) to submit their application electronically.”
“All applicants (including children) 18 years and over must complete their own application form.”
“All required forms are signed.”
“Results for all 4 skill areas must be demonstrated in 1 evaluation, as per Ministerial Instructions 32 (MI32), subparagraph 2(3)(a)(i)”
“The results must all be demonstrated on the same single test report.”
“have enough money for your stay”
“provided documentation which supports the claim that they could not complete evaluations in the language skill area(s) for which scores could not be provided”
“submit the necessary supporting documents (such as a valid passport) to accompany their application”
“All cases require an 'S' code.”
“the applicant must satisfy the visa officer that their stay in Canada will be a temporary one”
“Your test results must be less than 2 years old when you: complete your Express Entry profile, and submit your application for permanent residence”
“the ties to their home country are sufficiently strong to ensure that they are motivated to return home after the visit to Canada”
“convince a border services officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country”
“That translation must be of the original document, or of the certified copy of the original document, and certified by a certified translator, or in the event that the translation cannot be provided by a certified translator, it must be accompanied by an affidavit, and included with the application”
“In all situations, supporting documents that are in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by an official translation of the original document, or of a certified copy of the original document in English or French.”
“Officers should note that foreign nationals must also be travelling to Canada by air.”
“Foreign nationals who are applying for a temporary resident visa (TRV) or applying to remain in Canada as a temporary resident may be required to undergo an IME under subparagraph R30(1)(a)(i).”
“You need an official proof of status as a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.”
“a valid email address”
“have a valid eTA or visitor visa”
“Every foreign national who must submit to an IME must hold a valid medical certificate before a final decision can be made on their application.”
“a valid passport from a visa-exempt country”
“have a valid travel document, such as a passport”
Read the full eligibility criteria page →
Documents and eligibility gates
Every requirement below is quoted verbatim from the official source and linked back to it. Navisa reads and cites the governing text rather than restating a document name from memory. This is a reference summary, not immigration advice, and it does not replace review by a licensed RCIC.
Eligibility gate
“Visitor/eTA routing requires nationality / visa-exempt status facts.”
Eligibility gate
“The applicant must demonstrate that they have attained a language proficiency of level 5 in the Canadian Language Benchmarks or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens in either English or French, for each of the 4 language skill areas: reading, writing, speaking, listening”
Eligibility gateselect_visa_required_countries
“You may be eligible to apply for an eTA (instead of a visitor visa) if you’re a citizen of select visa-required countries and you’re travelling to Canada by air.”
Eligibility gate
“Foreign nationals living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda can’t travel to Canada as of May 27, 2026.”
Eligibility gateeta_required_countries
“You need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) and a valid passport to board your flight to Canada if you’re a citizen of any of the eTA-required countries.”
Eligibility gate
“have no criminal or immigration-related convictions”
Eligibility gateeta_required_countries
“if you’re travelling by sea from Saint Pierre-et-Miquelon (excluding cruise ships), you need an eTA to board your boat.”
Eligibility gate
“one of the following acceptable methods of payment to pay the $7 CAD fee (non-refundable): - Visa®, Mastercard®, American Express®, - a pre-paid Visa®, Mastercard® or American Express®, - Visa Debit, or Debit Mastercard, - UnionPay®, or - JCB Card®.”
Eligibility gate
“a valid passport from a visa-exempt country”
Eligibility gateeta
“To apply, you must have a valid passport, a credit or debit card and an email address, and you must answer a few questions in the online application.”
Eligibility gate
“one of the following acceptable methods of payment to pay the $7 CAD fee (non-refundable):”
Eligibility gate
“also meet the requirements of R179, regardless of whether they initially required a temporary resident visa (TRV) or not.”
Eligibility gate
“they meet the requirements of the Act and Regulations”
Eligibility gate
“a foreign national who is seeking to enter and remain in Canada on a temporary basis with the intention of receiving medical treatment in the province of Quebec must hold a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) if the laws of that province require the foreign national to hold that document [R7(3)].”
Eligibility gateus_lawful_permanent_residents
“You need an official proof of status as a lawful permanent resident of the U.S.”
Required document
“foreign passport with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (also known as an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication [ADIT] stamp)”
Required document
“American-Canadians can travel with a valid Canadian or U.S. passport.”
Required documentdual_canadian_citizens
“Dual Canadian citizens need a Canadian passport”
Required documentquebec_medical_treatment
“a foreign national who is seeking to enter and remain in Canada on a temporary basis with the intention of receiving medical treatment in the province of Quebec must hold a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) if the laws of that province require the foreign national to hold that document”
Required document
“a copy of the custody order is required; or proof of custody and/or the other parent's written consent for the trip.”
Required document
“If you’re a dual Canadian citizen, you must travel with a valid Canadian passport.”
Required document
“To apply, you must have a valid passport, a credit or debit card and an email address, and you must answer a few questions in the online application.”
Required document
“a valid **email** address”
Required document
“The electronic travel authorization (eTA) application is available online only.”
Required documenteta_expansion
“have held a Canadian temporary resident visa (TRV) in the past 10 years”
Required documenteta_expansion
“hold a valid United States (U.S.) non-immigrant visa”
Required documenteta_required_countries_air
“You need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) and a valid passport to board your flight to Canada if you’re a citizen of any of the eTA-required countries.”
Required document
“have a valid travel document, such as a passport”
Required document
“have a valid eTA or visitor visa”
Required documentus_lawful_permanent_residents
“expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence)”
Required document
“expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) or Form I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status)”
Required documentus_lawful_permanent_residents
“expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status)”
Required document
“expired permanent resident card (Form I-551) with Form I-797 (Notice of Action) for pending Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card [Green Card])”
Required documentpost_submit_review
“You may need to submit documents before your application can be approved.”
Required documentus_lawful_permanent_residents
“foreign passport with a temporary I-551 printed notation (“Upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year”) on a machine-readable immigrant visa upon endorsement with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection admission stamp”
Required document
“valid re-entry permit (Form I-327)”
Required document
“valid permanent resident card (Form I-551)”
Required document
“Form I-94 with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (ADIT stamp) and a passport-style photo”
Required document
“Application for Temporary Resident Visa [IMM 5257]”
Required document
“Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409]”
Required document
“Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM 5475]”
Required document
“The guardian should present a statement from the parent(s), which: authorizes the child to travel with someone else; provides the name and telephone of the guardian; and indicates the destination and the period of time the child will be in Canada.”
Required document
“foreign passport with a temporary I-551 printed notation ("Upon endorsement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year") on a machine-readable immigrant visa upon endorsement with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection admission stamp”
Required document
“Minors traveling alone require a letter from both parents authorizing them to travel.”
Required document
“Minors travelling with one parent require a letter of authorization from the non-accompanying parent.”
Required document
“submit the necessary supporting documents (such as a valid passport) to accompany their application”
Required document
“You still need a valid passport.”
Required documentidentity
“You will need a valid passport from a visa-exempt country.”
Required document
“When travelling alone, minors must be in possession of a passport or travel document issued in their own name.”
Required document
“a valid **passport** from a [visa-exempt country]”
Required document
“one of the following acceptable methods of payment to pay the $7 CAD fee (non-refundable): - Visa®, Mastercard®, American Express®, - a pre-paid Visa®, Mastercard® or American Express®, - Visa Debit, or Debit Mastercard, - UnionPay®, or - JCB Card®.”
Required document
“you must travel with a valid permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document”
Required documentcanadian_permanent_residents
“You don’t need an eTA or a visitor visa if you’re a Canadian permanent resident. However, you must travel with a valid permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document.”
Required document
“Visa officers should request the applicant to provide evidence of private medical insurance coverage as medical conditions unrelated to the transplant process would not be covered by provincial/territorial health care insurance.”
Required document
“submit proof from the institution in which the treatment will take place that arrangements have been made for treatment”
Required document
“submit proof that satisfactory financial arrangements have been made to cover the cost of the treatment as well as all related expenses, including follow-up care and living expenses for the time spent in Canada”
Required document
“the applicant should submit proof from the treating physician indicating that arrangements have been made for the treatment”
Required document
“A letter from a Canadian transplant specialist affiliated with a recognized transplant centre on the letterhead of the transplant centre or of the specialist.”
Required document
“U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement and must carry proper identification such as a valid U.S. passport.”
Required document
“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)”
Required documentus_lpr_travel_status
“Lawful permanent residents of the United States are exempt from the eTA requirement and must show a valid passport and a valid green card or equivalent valid proof of status in the United States.”
Required documentus_lawful_permanent_residents
“lawful permanent residents of the United States are also exempt from the eTA requirement and 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)”
Read the full documents and eligibility gates page →
Recent policy changes affecting this program
Tracked changes Navisa has tagged to this program, dated and cited to their official source.
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