As of the Fall of 2016, most foreign nationals who do not need a visa to visit Canada, and who fly to or transit through Canada by air, will be required to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Currently, there is a transitional period from March 15, 2016 until the Fall of 2016, wherein travelers are expected to have an eTA. During this time, Canadian border services officers can let travelers arriving by air without an eTA into Canada, as long as that traveler meets the other requirements to enter, such as a valid passport. Travelers entering Canada by land or sea do not need an eTA, but must always travel with acceptable travel documents and identification.
Foreign nationals from countries that require a visa to visit Canada, but who are U.S. legal permanent residents (i.e. have a “Green Card”), will be required to obtain an eTA as opposed to a visa. In those cases, the Green Card as well as the valid passport with eTA are required for entry into Canada. Moreover, an eTA is not to be confused with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to travel to the United States, as the ESTA is not an exemption from obtaining an eTA.
Exceptions include U.S. citizens, who do not require an eTA or a visa, no matter how they enter into Canada. Similarly, travelers with a valid Canadian visa, including foreign nationals that require a transit visa to Canada, also do not require an eTA, regardless of how they enter Canada. Finally, Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, and Canadian permanent residents are not eligible to apply for an eTA because these individuals have a right of entry to Canada and are therefore not subject to immigration screening. However, in the Fall of 2016, Canadians will need to show proof of Canadian citizenship, such as a Canadian passport or a Canadian emergency travel document, before boarding a flight to Canada.
To apply, eTA applicants must have a valid passport, a credit card, and an email address. It costs $7 CAD to get an eTA and only takes a few minutes to apply. The approved eTA is valid for up to five years and is electronically linked to the applicant’s passport.
Please contact our office for further details.
