How to Apply for a Canada eTA in 2026: Cost, Steps, and Validity
If you are flying to Canada on a visa-exempt passport, there is one small step you cannot skip: the electronic travel authorization, or eTA. It is cheap, it is quick, and most people get approved before they have finished their coffee. But there are a few things worth getting right so you do not overpay or apply when you did not need to. Here is how it works in 2026.
What an eTA is and who needs one
An eTA is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. It is linked electronically to your passport, so there is nothing to print and no sticker in your document.
The key word is air. You need an eTA to fly into a Canadian airport, or even to transit through one on the way somewhere else. You do not need an eTA if you are arriving by car, bus, train, or boat (including a cruise ship). That distinction trips a lot of travellers up, so it is worth repeating: the eTA is about how you enter, not just where you are from.
Citizens of visa-exempt countries can typically visit Canada for up to six months without a visitor visa, but they still need the eTA for the flight. A few groups are exempt from the eTA itself, including Canadian citizens and permanent residents (who travel on their own documents) and lawful permanent residents of the United States, who instead carry proof of their U.S. status alongside a valid passport. If you are weighing whether an eTA or a full visitor visa applies to you, our explainer on what an eTA is and how it fits into Canada's entry rules breaks it down further.
What it costs
The eTA fee is CA$7. That is the whole cost, and you pay it once, at the end of the online form.
This is the single most important thing to get right, because the internet is full of third-party sites that "help" you apply and then charge many times that amount for the privilege. The only official place to apply is the Government of Canada website at canada.ca. If a site is charging you CA$50, CA$80, or more, you are paying a middleman for a form you could complete yourself in a few minutes. The government does not use paid agents to process eTAs.
You will pay the CA$7 with a credit or debit card immediately after you submit the form, so have your card ready before you start.
How to apply, step by step
The application is entirely online and usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Before you begin, gather three things: your passport, a credit or debit card, and an email address you can check.
- Go to the official eTA application on canada.ca.
- Answer the questions on the form. You will enter your passport details, some personal and contact information, and answer a short set of eligibility and background questions.
- Pay the CA$7 fee with your card.
- Submit, then watch your email inbox for the decision.
A couple of practical tips. Enter your passport number exactly as it appears in your document, because your eTA is tied to that specific passport. Double-check the email address too, since that is where every update will land, including your approval.
How long it takes
For most people, approval is near-instant — many applications are approved within minutes of paying. You will get a confirmation email once your eTA is linked to your passport.
Sometimes it takes longer. If the system needs more information, you will receive an email, usually within 72 hours, asking for additional documents. Because of that possibility, the sensible move is to apply as soon as you book your flight rather than the night before you fly. It costs nothing to have it done early, and it removes the small but real risk of being stuck at the gate waiting on a decision.
How long an eTA lasts
Once approved, an eTA is valid for up to five years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. During that window you can travel to Canada as many times as you like without applying again, as long as you use the same passport your eTA is linked to.
That last point matters. If you renew your passport, your old eTA does not carry over — you will need to apply for a new one tied to the new document, even if the five years have not run out. It is a common and avoidable mistake, so check that the passport in your hand is the one your eTA is attached to before you head to the airport.
The bottom line
For a visa-exempt traveller flying to Canada, the eTA is about as simple as government paperwork gets: CA$7, a few minutes online at canada.ca, usually approved within minutes, and good for up to five years. Apply early, apply through the official site only, and make sure it is linked to the passport you will actually travel on. You can start the official application and read the full requirements on the Government of Canada eTA page.
IRCC.com is an independent news and information website. We are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the Government of Canada, and we do not provide immigration services or legal advice. Entry requirements change — always verify with official sources before you travel.