Who can apply
You are eligible to apply for an eTA if you meet 3 requirements:
- you’ve held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or currently hold a valid United States nonimmigrant visa
- you’re coming to Canada for a short visit, business or tourist activity (normally for stays of up to 6 months)
- you’re flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport using a valid passport from one of the eligible visa-required countries
If you do not meet all of the requirements, you need a visitor visa to travel to Canada.
Eligible visa-required countries
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Costa Rica
- Morocco
- Panama
- Philippines
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Seychelles
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uruguay
You need a visitor visa to come to Canada by car, bus, train or boat
Travellers with a passport from one of the eligible countries still need a valid visitor visa if
- driving to Canada from the U.S. by car or
- arriving by bus, train or boat, including a cruise ship (even if they are not leaving the ship)
Travellers who already have a valid Canadian visa
If you already have a valid Canadian visa, you don’t need an eTA to fly to Canada and should continue to travel with your visitor visa until it expires.
Canadian citizens
Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, can’t apply for an eTA and need a valid Canadian passport to travel to Canada by air.
Canadian permanent residents
Canadian permanent residents can’t apply for an eTA and need a valid permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document.
What you need to board your flight to Canada if you have an eTA
When you fly to Canada, you must travel with the same passport you used to apply for an eTA. If you get a new passport after applying for an eTA, you must apply for a new eTA with your new passport.
You should travel with your old passport if it contains either
- your expired Canadian visitor visa
- your valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa
Rules and recommendations for common travel scenarios
| How you are travelling to Canada | What travel document you will need |
|---|---|
| Flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport, and you are eligible to apply for an eTA. | You can apply for either an eTA or visa. |
| Flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport, but you are not eligible for an eTA. | You need a visa. |
| Flying to Canada with your family, and you are eligible to apply for an eTA but family members are not. You can apply for an eTA or visa. | Your family members need a visa. |
| Driving to Canada from the U.S., or arriving by bus, train or boat, including a cruise ship stopover (even if you don’t plan to leave the ship). | You need a visa. |
| Departing from and returning to Canada on a boat, including a cruise ship, that travels outside Canada. | You need a visa. |
| Travelling between Canada and the U.S. via any combination of plane, train, car, bus or boat. | Your best option is to apply for a visa, as it provides the most flexibility. |
| You already have a valid Canadian visa, and you are planning to fly to Canada. | You can travel with that visa until it expires. |
| Flying to Canada to work or study for more than 6 months. | You need to apply for a work or study permit. When your permit is approved, you will be given a temporary resident visa, which will allow you to board your flight to Canada. |
| Flying back to Canada to work or study after renewing your work or study permit. | You can continue to use your visa if it’s still valid. If your visa expired, you will be given an eTA when renewing your permit. You must apply for a new visa if you travel to Canada by car, bus, train or boat. |
| Most people need a visa or an eTA to travel to Canada – not both. Find out what you need to travel to Canada. | |
Read More on:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/eligibility/eta-x.html