You either need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through, a Canadian airport. You only need one or the other, not both.
Who needs an eTA to travel to Canada?
You need an eTA if you’re a:
- Visa-exempt foreign national and you’re flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport
- As a visa-exempt foreign national, you do NOT need an eTA (or a visitor visa) when arriving by car, bus, train, or boat (including a cruise ship).
You may be eligible to apply for an eTA (instead of a visitor visa) if you’re a:
- Citizen from select visa-required countries and you’re traveling to Canada by air.
- However, you still need a visitor visa (not an eTA) when arriving by car, bus, train, or boat, including a cruise ship.
Travelers who are exempt from the eTA requirement
U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement and must carry proper identification such as a valid U.S. passport.
As of April 26, 2022, lawful permanent residents of the United States are also exempt from the eTA requirement and must show these documents for all methods of travel to Canada:
- a valid passport from their country of nationality (or an equivalent acceptable travel document) and
- a valid green card (or equivalent valid proof of status in the United States)
Essential conditions to enter Canada
In order to travel to Canada, you must fulfill several prerequisites, including:
- Possess a current passport or other travel authorization
- Possess a current eTA or visiting visa
- Maintain good health and have no convictions for crimes or immigration-related offenses
- Persuade a border services officer that you have connections that will allow you to return to your own country, such as a job, house, money, or family.
- Persuade a border services officer that you have enough money for your stay and that you will depart Canada at the conclusion of your visit. (The total amount of money required may differ. It depends on factors like the length of your vacation and if you plan to stay with friends or family or in a hotel.)
Inadmissibility
An eTA doesn’t guarantee entry to Canada. When you arrive, a border services officer will ask to see your passport and other documents. You must convince the officer that you’re eligible for entry to Canada.
Several things can make you inadmissible, including involvement in criminal activity, human rights violations, or organized crime.
