Electronic travel authorization (eTA): Who can apply

Visitor visa and electronic travel authorization (eTA) requirements for citizens of Mexico changed on February 29, 2024, at 11:30 p.m. ET

As of 11:30 p.m. ET on February 29, 2024,

• you need to meet new requirements to be eligible for an eTA
• if you had an eTA before 11:30 p.m. ET on February 29, 2024, it has been cancelled unless you also have a valid work or study permit
• if you had an eTA application in progress at the time, you need to apply for a new eTA or for a visitor visa
• before you travel to Canada, you need to apply for a new eTA if you’re eligible
• if you’re no longer eligible for an eTA, you need to apply for a visitor visa to travel to Canada

Eligibility

You either need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through, a Canadian airport. You only need one or the other, not both.

Who needs an eTA to travel to Canada?

You need an eTA if you’re a:

• Visa-exempt foreign national and you’re flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport
  • As a visa-exempt foreign national, you do not need an eTA (or a visitor visa) when arriving by car, bus, train or boat (including a cruise ship).

  You may be eligible to apply for an eTA (instead of a visitor visa) if you’re a:

  • Citizen from select visa-required countries and you’re travelling to Canada by air.
    • However, you still need visitor visa (not an eTA) when arriving by car, bus, train, or boat, including a cruise ship.

    Canadian citizens

    If you’re a dual Canadian citizen, you must travel with a valid Canadian passport.

    American-Canadians can travel with a valid Canadian or U.S. passport.

    Canadian 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.

    Important – former residents of Canada: Permanent resident (PR) status does not expire. If you once lived in Canada, even if it was many years ago, you could still have PR status. Learn more to avoid travel delays.

    Visa-required travellers

    You don’t need an eTA if you’re visa-required, including alien’s passport holders and stateless individuals. You need to travel with a visitor visa.

    Travellers who are exempt from the eTA requirement

    U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement and must carry proper identification such as a valid U.S. passport.

    As of April 26, 2022, 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)
    Complete list of acceptable status documents for lawful permanent residents of the U.S.

    You need an official proof of status as a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., such as one of the following:

    • valid permanent resident card (Form I-551)
    • foreign passport with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (also known as an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication [ADIT] stamp)
    • 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
    • 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)
    • 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])
    • valid re-entry permit (Form I-327)
    • Form I-94 with an unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (ADIT stamp) and a passport-style photo

    See the complete list of eTA exemptions.

    Basic requirements to enter Canada

    To visit Canada, you’ll need to meet some basic requirements, such as:

    • have a valid travel document, such as a passport
    • have a valid eTA or visitor visa
    • be in good health
    • have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
    • 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
    • convince a border services officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
    • have enough money for your stay. (The amount of money you will need can vary. It depends on things such as how long you will stay, and whether you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.)

    Inadmissibility

    An eTA doesn’t guarantee entry to Canada. When you arrive, a border services officer will ask to see your passport and other documents. You must convince the officer that you’re eligible for entry to Canada.

    Several things can make you inadmissible, including involvement in criminal activity, in human rights violations or in organized crime.

    You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons. Find out more about inadmissibility.