The Canadian ETA was introduced in 2015 by Canadian Immigration as a good way to organize the assessment of visitors and determine their right of entry into the country before travel.
There are fifty countries, including the United Kingdom, whose citizens have been exempted from Canadian visas under this scheme. This means that British citizens can apply for an eTA for Canada instead of getting a tourist Canada Visa for British citizens.
Do I need a visa or ETA to travel from the UK to Canada?
Electronic travel permits for Canada are issued by the government to British citizens who are only entering Canada by air. Those who arrive in Canada by car, bus, train, or boat (including a cruise ship) cannot apply for ETA and must obtain a visitor visa at the embassy instead.
ETA-eligible British travelers flying to Canada are advised to apply before the date of arrival in Canada. The Canadian ETA is a multi-entry authorization and covers any connecting trips during their current or next visit to Canada.
Canada Visa for UK Passport Holders
Trips to Canada under the eTA may not last more than six months and UK visitors are not allowed to stay outside the allotted time. Travelers who wish to extend their stay in the country can apply for an ETA extension if they do so at least 30 days in advance.
British travelers must have an electronic passport that is machine-readable since eTA works electronically. All British passports issued in the last ten years should be machine-readable, but passengers who are unsure can contact the UK’s HM Passport Office to check their documents.
Canada must be a full UK citizen to apply for eTA. Travelers who hold permanent British residence or another status such as a refugee may have to apply for a Canadian visa unless they hold a passport from another visa-free country.
British nationals visiting Canada who have already finalized their travel plans must submit an eTA application at least 3 days prior to travel to allow time for processing the form and for the eTA to be approved and sent.
UK citizens urgently need an ETA to travel to Canada They are able to take advantage of the new Rush ETA processing option, which guarantees that the ETA will be processed within 60 minutes of submitting an application. To get quick approval, applicants must select ‘Emergency Guaranteed Processing in less than 1 hour’ when paying the ETA fee.
The application process is quick and easy, and once approved, eTA will be delivered securely and electronically to the applicant via email. If you have an internet connection you can apply for eTA from anywhere in the world using a desktop computer, tablet, or mobile device.
eTA Canada is automatically added to the applicant’s passport, so there is no need to print Canadian eTA to show at the airport. Approval is valid for five years from the date of issue.
Canada ETA for Citizens
Australia is one of the 50 visa-free countries, which means that Australian citizens do not need a visa to travel to Canada. Instead, Australians need to get an electronic travel permit or eTA to enter Canada.
The eTA was introduced in 2015 by Canadian authorities to pre-screen foreign audiences in Canada and determine their eligibility. The use of the system has reduced visa applications and allowed authorities to process foreign visitors more efficiently, resulting in shorter waiting times and fewer queues at customs and immigration.
Do I need an ETA to travel from Australia to Canada?
Those arriving by land or sea do not need an ETA but will need identification and travel documents instead. The Canadian ETA for Australians is intended for visitors who are traveling to Canada for this purpose:
- Tourism, especially the location of short tourists
- Business travel
- Transit to their destination through Canada
- Treatment or counseling
Most foreign nationals transiting through Canada require a visa to enter and leave the country. However, ETA-enabled Australian citizens are able to transit without a visa, if they enter and leave through a Canadian airport.
Eligible Australians for eTA will need to complete a simple online application form and provide some basic personal details, including:
- Name
- Nationality
- Occupation
- Passport details including passport number
- Passport issue date and expiration date
- You will also need to answer some health and safety questions on the ETA form and pay an eTA fee to submit a Canada visa application.
Australian citizens are advised to apply for an ETA in Canada at least 72 hours prior to travel so that documents can be processed and approvals can be issued. ETA for Australian citizens can be applied on desktops, tablets, or mobile devices. Approval will be delivered quickly and easily and securely and electronically to the applicant’s email address.
It is recommended that all information provided in the application form should be double-checked. Any errors or omissions may delay or reject the Canada Visa for Australian citizens.
Once approved by the Canadian ETA, it is electronically attached to the applicant’s passport and is valid for five years. There is no need to print anything to show at the airport and no documents.
