International visitors to Canada must have proper documentation for entry.
Certain foreign nationals are exempt from the requirement to obtain a Visitor Visa when arriving in Canada by commercial or chartered flight.
These foreign nationals can apply instead for the Canada Electronic Travel Authorization or the Canada eTA.
The Canada eTA allows you travel to Canada without a Visa but it is available only for citizens of a select few countries.
If you're eligible and your Canada eTA is approved, it will be electronically linked to your passport and valid for five years (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first). While the eTA serves the same purpose as a Canadian Visa, it's much easier and faster to obtain, often being approved within minutes.
Once your application for Canada eTA has been approved you can stay in the country for a short span of time lasting up to six months although the exact duration would depend on your purpose of visit and would be stamped on your passport by the border officials.
Foreign nationals can apply for a Canada eTA for various reasons. These include layovers, tourism, business, and medical treatment. In all of these cases, the eTA is the required travel authorization document.
The four types of Canada eTA are detailed below:
Canada, a major player in the global market, makes it easy for business travelers to visit. Eligible foreign nationals can obtain a Canada eTA for a variety of business activities, including conferences, meetings, job searches, research, contract negotiations, and settling estates. The eTA simplifies and streamlines the process of visiting Canada for business.
Canada is a popular tourist destination, offering diverse landscapes and cultural experiences. Famous attractions like Niagara Falls and the Rocky Mountains draw visitors worldwide. Eligible foreign nationals traveling for tourism—including vacations, sightseeing, visiting loved ones, school trips, social activities, or short, non-credit courses—can use a Canada eTA for entry.
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Are you planning to travel to Canada for sightseeing or recreation? When visiting Canada, it is important for you to ensure that have identification and proper travel documents for yourself.
Learn more about coming to Canada as a tourist.
Due to Canada's numerous international flight connections, many travelers transit through Canadian airports or cities. Eligible foreign nationals with short layovers or transit stops can use a Canada eTA for Transit. If you're from an eTA-eligible country and have a layover in a Canadian airport or city, the eTA for Transit is your required travel authorization.
If you are a foreign national with citizenship of any of the countries that are eligible for the eTA for Canada then you can come to Canada for a planned medical treatment by applying for the Canada eTA. Apart from the general requirements for the Canadian eTA you would also need to provide proof of the scheduled medical treatment. Any documentation that proves your medical diagnosis and why you need to be treated in Canada would work as evidence for your planned medical treatment in Canada. If you are visiting Canada on the eTA for a non-medical purpose and happen to require unplanned medical treatment or assistance, you would be treated by local medical staff and you or your insurance company would have to cover the costs for the same.
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We have extensively covered Canada Visa for Medical patients here.
All four of these Canada eTA types have made it quite easy and convenient for citizens of Canada eTA eligible countries to visit Canada for a short duration of time lasting up to six months. However, you should keep in mind that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can deny you entry at the border even if you are an approved Canada eTA holder if you do not have all your documents, such as your passport, in order , which will be checked by the border officials; if you pose any health or financial risk; and if you have previous criminal/terrorist history or previous immigration issues.
If you have ready all the documents required for the Canada eTA and meet all eligibility conditions for the eTA for Canada, then you should be able to quite easily apply online for the Canada eTA whose application form is quite simple and straightforward. If you require any clarifications you should contact our helpdesk for support and guidance.
Check your eligibility for eTA Canada Visa and apply for eTA Canada Visa 72 hours in advance of your flight. British citizens, Italian citizens, Spanish citizens, and Israeli citizens can apply online for eTA Canada Visa.