Get help with an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Answer a few questions to get information before you apply, or to get help if you encounter issues during or after you apply for an eTA.

Before I apply, I want to find out more about eTA

Do I need an eTA?

• Are there any age exemptions for eTA?
• I will transit by air through Canada. Do I need an eTA?
• Can I apply for an eTA with a Refugee Travel Document?
• I am visiting the U.S. I want to come to Canada. Do I need an eTA?
• I am from a visa-exempt country and want to apply for a study or work permit. Do I need to apply for an eTA?
• I want to extend my work or study permit. Do I need to apply for an eTA?

Can I use a U.S. travel document like an ESTA, U.S. visa or a Green Card, to travel to Canada?

It depends on your situation, the document and the method of travel you plan to use.

See these answers to questions about U.S. travel documents:

• I have an ESTA and I am visiting the U.S. Can I use my ESTA to enter Canada?
• I am visiting the U.S. I want to come to Canada. Do I need an eTA?
• I am a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (Green Card holder). Do I need an eTA?
• I am a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (Green Card holder) coming to Canada by car. Do I need an eTA?
• I am a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (Green Card holder). What documents do I need to apply for an eTA?
• I am a NEXUS or CANPASS (Air, Corporate Aircraft or Private Aircraft) member and a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (Green Card holder). Do I need an eTA to fly to Canada?

What document(s) can I use to travel to Canada if I am a dual Canadian citizen?

See these answers to questions about dual citizenship:

• I am a Canadian citizen and a citizen of a visa-exempt country. Can I still fly to Canada with my foreign passport?
• I am a Canadian Citizen. Do I need an eTA to enter Canada?

How do I apply on behalf of someone (child, family member, other)?

To apply for someone such as your child, friend or client, use the same eTA application form as you would for yourself. At the start of the form, you must answer yes to the question “Are you applying on behalf of someone?” Then you will be asked to:

• enter your information first in the Parent/guardian or representative details section, and
• enter the information of the person you want to apply for in the personal, contact, address and consent sections of the form including entering their name in the Signature field.

Find other answers to questions about applying for someone else:

• Can more than one person, including dependents, be included in an eTA application?
• Can I apply for an eTA for my child?
• Can I help a friend or family member apply for an eTA?
• Can I use my email address when I apply for an eTA on behalf of someone?
• Can a travel agent apply for an eTA on behalf of a client?
• As a Canadian citizen living in Canada, can I apply for an eTA for my relative or friend who lives abroad?

Other

Other popular questions about applying for an eTA:

• What type of information do I need to complete an eTA application?
• I see other websites advertising that I can apply for an eTA with them. Is there more than one website to apply for an eTA?
• I have a visa or a temporary resident permit to enter Canada. Do I need an eTA too?
• What options are available to pay the eTA application fee?
• Do I have to apply for an eTA each time I travel to Canada?
• Do I need to apply for an eTA before I book my airline ticket?

Phone option

1-800-O-Canada: ask your eTA questions from outside of Canada. Service is provided in English and French, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

In person option

Visa Application Centres (VACs): if you do not have Internet access or need to scan documents, VACs can help. Review the country list for the location closest to you.

I am trying to use the eTA application form but there is a problem

I get a failure message when I try to pay

For problems paying for an eTA, complete this enquiry form.

• Select “Applying for an electronic travel authorization (ETA)”.
• Provide as many details as possible about the problem you encountered. Note: It can take us several days to answer your enquiry.

Note: if you apply for an eTA at an airport, and your eTA is not approved in time for you to check in for your flight, you will need to reschedule your flight.

Find other answers to questions about paying for an eTA:

• What options are available to pay the eTA application fee?
• What if I don't have a Visa, Mastercard or American Express? Are there other methods to pay for an eTA?
• I have not been able to submit an eTA application because of technical issues (with the payment or the application form). Can I still fly to Canada?

I receive an error or timeout message when I use the form

The eTA application is time-sensitive and will timeout after a period of inactivity. To avoid experiencing issues, make sure all your documents are ready before you start filling out your application. If after trying again, you still encounter error or timeout messages, complete this enquiry form.

• Select “Applying for an electronic travel authorization (ETA)”.
• Provide as many details as possible about the problem you encountered. Note: It can take us several days to answer your enquiry.

Note: if you apply for an eTA at an airport, and your eTA is not approved in time for you to check in for your flight, you will need to reschedule your flight.

Find other answers to questions about applying for an eTA:

I want to know how to save or recover the data I entered on the form

You cannot save or recover data you enter on the eTA application form. The eTA application is time-sensitive and will timeout after a period of inactivity. To avoid experiencing issues, make sure all your documents are ready before you start filling out your application.

Other answers to questions about saving or recovering data:

• Can I start my eTA application and save it?
• Can I review my eTA application before I submit it?

I need help in languages other than English or French

The eTA application form is available in English and French only. To help you fill out the eTA application, these guides describe in detail each field of the form:

Other

For technical or other issues when using the eTA application form, complete this enquiry form.

• Select “Applying for an electronic travel authorization (ETA)”.
• Provide as many details as possible about the problem you encountered. Note: It can take us several days to answer your enquiry.

Note: if you apply for an eTA at an airport, and your eTA is not approved in time for you to check in for your flight, you will need to reschedule your flight.

Find other answers to questions about applying for an eTA:

I have already applied and paid for an eTA, but I have a question

Will I receive emails from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) about my application?

In most cases, applicants will receive a confirmation from IRCC within minutes. However, some applications may need several days to process. If this is the case for your application, you can expect an email from IRCC within 72 hours that tells you what your next steps are.

Make sure to check the junk mail folder of the email address you provided on your eTA application form. Some spam filters may block automated emails from IRCC. Check the folder regularly as emails may at times be moved from your inbox to the junk mail folder.

If you received an email confirmation, you can use the check your eTA status tool to follow the progress of your application. To do so, you will need

• the application number which begins with the letter V that can be found at the top of the email, and
• details from the passport you used to apply for your eTA

Other answers to questions about receiving communication regarding your application:

• What information will I get by email after I apply for an eTA?
• I submitted an eTA application, but have not received any emails from IRCC. Can I still travel to Canada?
• I got an email confirmation from IRCC that my eTA application was received, but nothing since then. Can I still travel to Canada?

If you did not get any correspondence from IRCC within 72 hours

• Provide as many details as possible about the problem you encountered. Note: It can take us several days to answer your enquiry.

Note: if you apply for an eTA at an airport, and your eTA is not approved in time for you to check in for your flight, you will need to reschedule your flight.

How do I upload a document in my IRCC account?

If Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) asks you to submit documents to process your eTA application, follow these steps.

Note: Get your requested document(s) as soon as possible. Some of them could take you a while to get. Remember that your document(s) must be in English or French, or be accompanied by a certified translation. If you don’t submit the requested document(s) by the deadline given to you, your eTA could be refused.

Other answers to questions about submitting documents:

• I cannot submit the additional documents required for my eTA application by the requested deadline. Can I still travel to Canada?
• I submitted the documents for my eTA application but I haven’t heard anything yet. Can I still travel to Canada?

If you still cannot upload documents in your IRCC account

• Provide as many details as possible about the problem you encountered. Note: It can take us several days to answer your enquiry.

Note: if you apply for an eTA at an airport, and your eTA is not approved in time for you to check in for your flight, you will need to reschedule your flight.

What is the status of my application?

To check the status of your eTA, use the eTA Check Status tool. With the tool, you can get an online update on your pending application, as well as the expiration date or the status of an existing eTA.

Find other answers to questions about eTA application status.

• Will IRCC email me when my eTA is approved?
• How long will it take to process my eTA application?
• What do I do if my application for an eTA is not approved right away?
• Do I have to print anything to prove that I have an eTA?
• What information will I get by email after I apply for an eTA?
• I submitted the documents for my eTA application but I haven’t heard anything yet. Can I still travel to Canada?

If you get an error with the eTA Check Status tool

Complete this enquiry form if it has been more than 72 hours since you applied.

• Provide as many details as possible about your eTA application. Note: It can take us several days to answer your enquiry.

Note: if you apply for an eTA at an airport, and your eTA is not approved in time for you to check in for your flight, you will need to reschedule your flight.

Other

Other popular questions about eTA:

• I applied for an eTA on a different website. How do I verify if I have a real eTA?
• I have been charged more than CAN$7 for my eTA on another website. I think I have been scammed. How can I find out and can I get a refund?
• I submitted an eTA application, but have not received any emails from IRCC. Can I still travel to Canada?
• Can I cancel/withdraw my eTA application?
• My application for an eTA was refused. Is there a way I can appeal?
• Does having an eTA automatically mean that I am allowed to enter Canada?
• What happens if I put wrong information (like email address or passport number) on my eTA application?

Still need help?

If you did not find the answer to your question in the Help Centre and still have a question about the eTA application you submitted:

Email option

• Provide as many details as possible about the problem you encountered. Note: It can take us several days to answer your enquiry.

Note: if you apply for an eTA at an airport, and your eTA is not approved in time for you to check in for your flight, you will need to reschedule your flight.

Phone option

1-800-O-Canada: ask your eTA questions from locations outside of Canada. Service is provided in English and French, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time.