eTA Canada

The eTA authorization for visa-free entry to Canada makes planning your vacation much easier and faster. We explain the advantages of the practical eTA Canada and explain what requirements you must meet to obtain it.

What is eTA?

The abbreviation eTA stands for Electronic Travel Authorization and refers to the electronic permission to travel to Canada, allowing visa-free entry to this popular holiday destination in North America. The authorization for air travelers has been in existence since 2015 and was inspired by the ESTA for the United States, which was introduced a few years earlier.

If you are from a country that qualifies for eTA, you can apply for your entry permit quickly and easily in a few minutes using an online form. A consulate appointment is not necessary. Typically, an eTA application is processed within 24 hours.

What am I allowed to do with an eTA in Canada?

Once your eTA has been approved, it allows you to stay in Canada for up to six months at a time. During the five-year validity period of the eTA, you can enter Canada multiple times.

However, it is important that the purpose of your journey meets the requirements of eTA. Entry to Canada with an eTA is possible for:

• tourist travel
• visits to friends and family
• transits at Canadian airports
• business purposes (meetings with business partners, customers, and suppliers; participation in trade fairs, conferences, and business talks)

Please note: The eTA authorization does not entitle you to take up employment or study in Canada.

eTA: who is eligible?

Citizens of the countries listed below qualify for an eTA travel authorization for Canada. All other travelers require a Canadian visa.

eTA Canada: eligible countries

Furthermore, Brazilian citizens with a valid US visa or a Canadian visa from the last ten years qualify for entry with eTA.

eTA: what requirements must be met?

Besides citizenship in an eTA country, there are more requirements to be met. You must:

• have an ePass* (electronic passport with chip) that is valid for at least the duration of the journey
• enter by air
• not stay in Canada for more than six months

Furthermore, you must fulfill all the necessary biographical requirements:

• You have never been refused an eTA or a Canadian visa.
• You have never been expelled from Canada.
• You have no criminal record.
• You do not suffer from tuberculosis, syphilis, an untreated drug or alcohol addiction, or psychosis.

*Taiwanese citizens require a passport with a personal identification number.

eTA vs. Canada visa: main differences

The eTA authorization is a significant facilitation for travelers from the qualified countries. Compared to a classic visa, it can be applied for much more easily and quickly and is many times cheaper.

* not including additional services and guarantees

Applying for an eTA Canada: this is how it works

The eTA authorization for visa-free entry to Canada can be applied for quickly and easily using an online form. To do so, you will need:

• your valid ePass
• a valid e-mail address
• a credit card (more payment methods are available when using online-visa.com)

This is how you can apply for your Canada eTA online with just a few steps:

1. Open the eTA application page at online-visa.com
2. Enter your personal data, contact details (address and e-mail), and your passport details.
3. Truthfully answer questions about your health, travel history, and criminal record.
4. Pay the eTA fee.
5. You will receive a notification from online-visa.com as soon as your eTA application has been processed.

Entry to Canada with eTA

When you arrive at the Canadian border, you will need to present your valid eTA authorization and a valid passport. Make sure that the number on your passport matches the one in your eTA. If you obtain a new passport, you will need to submit a new eTA application.

In some cases, the Canadian border official may request additional documents from you. If you are traveling with minor children, you should therefore carry documents with you that prove that you are authorized to do so (e.g., custody orders, powers of attorney, etc.).

Business travelers may need a letter of invitation from their Canadian business partners. The letter must include basic information about the activity, the length of stay, the place of stay and the purpose of the work.

Entry regulations for Canada

Canada has strict entry requirements for pets, food, plants, alcohol, medicines, weapons, and cash. Find out about the current regulations on the Canadian government website before you leave.

Travel tips for Canada

After entering Canada with an eTA, you will be greeted by a fascinating country with spectacular nature and vibrant cities. We have put together a list of must-sees for your adventure in the “Great White North.”

Cities in Canada

The most famous cities in Canada are always worth a visit:

• Toronto: largest city in Canada and capital of the province of Ontario
• Montréal: second-largest city in Canada and largest city in the province of Québec
• Vancouver: port city on the Canadian West Coast and largest city in the province of British Columbia
• Ottawa: capital of Canada
• Calgary: largest city in the province of Alberta and host of the 1988 Winter Olympics
• Edmonton: capital of the province of Alberta
• Québec City: second-largest city in the province of Québec
• Whistler: popular winter sports destination in British Columbia

Sightseeing in Canada

These attractions in Canada will leave you speechless:

• Niagara Falls: largest waterfalls in North America on the border between Canada and the USA
• Columbia Icefield: 325 km² ice field in the Canadian Rocky Mountains consisting of eight glaciers
• CN Tower: 553 m high television tower and Toronto's most famous landmark
• Notre-Dame de Montréal: neo-Gothic basilica in the old town of Montréal
• Vieux-Québec: old town of Québec City, UNESCO World Heritage
• Lunenburg in Nova Scotia: UNESCO World Heritage, is considered one of Canada's most beautiful small towns

National parks in Canada

There are 48 national parks in Canada. These five highlights are not to be missed by nature lovers:

• Banff National Park: Canada's oldest and most popular national park, over four million visitors a year, located in the Canadian Rockies
• Glacier National Park: alpine landscape with many opportunities for climbing and winter sports
• Fundy National Park: nature reserve on the Atlantic coast with numerous coastal forests and hiking trails
• Pacific-Rim National Park: the varied nature on Canada's west coast, with beaches, archipelagos, and hiking trails
• Prince Albert National Park: nature reserve in Saskatchewan with extensive wetlands and forests, as well as a particularly large buffalo population

How do I get around in Canada?

Canada is a driving country and has a large road system. However, due to the large area and uneven population distribution, the quality of the system varies from region to region. A dense network runs through the densely populated areas on the Atlantic, in southern Ontario, in Québec along the St. Lawrence River, and around Vancouver on the west coast. Northern Canada, on the other hand, is less developed.

If you want to remain independent and flexible, booking a rental car for Canada is recommended. When visiting the Northern regions or national parks, it’s best to choose an all-terrain vehicle.

If you have less time, you can use domestic flights to cover the great distances in Canada. The most comprehensive network is offered by the national airline Air Canada, which not only serves the major cities but also many smaller airports. However, you should also compare prices with smaller and regional airlines such as WestJet, First Air, or Bearskin Airlines.