Canada eTA — application assistance

Citizens of these countries and territories can apply online.

• 🇦🇩 Andorra
• 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda
• 🇦🇺 Australia
• 🇦🇹 Austria
• 🇧🇸 Bahamas
• 🇧🇧 Barbados
• 🇧🇪 Belgium
• 🇧🇳 Brunei
• 🇧🇬 Bulgaria
• 🇨🇱 Chile
• 🇭🇷 Croatia
• 🇨🇾 Cyprus
• 🇨🇿 Czech Republic
• 🇩🇰 Denmark
• 🇪🇪 Estonia
• 🇫🇮 Finland
• 🇫🇷 France
• 🇩🇪 Germany
• 🇬🇷 Greece
• 🇭🇰 Hong Kong
• 🇭🇺 Hungary
• 🇮🇸 Iceland
• 🇮🇪 Ireland
• 🇮🇱 Israel
• 🇮🇹 Italy
• 🇯🇵 Japan
• 🇱🇻 Latvia
• 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein
• 🇱🇹 Lithuania
• 🇱🇺 Luxembourg
• 🇲🇹 Malta
• 🇲🇨 Monaco
• 🇳🇱 Netherlands
• 🇳🇿 New Zealand
• 🇳🇴 Norway
• 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea
• 🇵🇱 Poland
• 🇵🇹 Portugal
• 🇶🇦 Qatar
• 🇷🇴 Romania
• 🇼🇸 Samoa
• 🇸🇲 San Marino
• 🇸🇬 Singapore
• 🇸🇰 Slovakia
• 🇸🇮 Slovenia
• 🇸🇧 Solomon Islands
• 🇰🇷 South Korea
• 🇪🇸 Spain
• 🇸🇪 Sweden
• 🇨🇭 Switzerland
• 🇹🇼 Taiwan
• 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
• 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

• The Canada eTA is applied for entirely online and the standard form itself does not require you to upload a photo; you only need your valid passport, an email address and a credit or debit card to apply, so getting the passport details exactly right is the single most important step (source: canada.ca eTA facts and apply pages).
• Apply only on the official Government of Canada website (canada.ca); it is the only place to apply for an eTA, and even authorized representatives applying on someone's behalf must use this same official website (source: IRCC helpcentre qnum 1234 and canada.ca eTA pages).
• Your eTA is electronically linked to the exact passport you use when you apply, so the passport number, name, date of birth, nationality and expiry date you enter must match your passport precisely — any mismatch can prevent you from boarding your flight (source: canada.ca / IRCC helpcentre).
• After approval, double-check that the passport number shown in your eTA approval email matches your passport exactly; if it does not match, you must apply again with the correct passport number (source: canada.ca eTA after-you-apply / IRCC helpcentre).
• Travel with a passport that stays valid for the duration of your visit; if your passport expires your eTA also becomes invalid, because an eTA is valid for up to five years OR until the passport expires, whichever comes first (source: IRCC helpcentre qnum 1058 and canada.ca eTA facts).
• With a valid eTA you can travel to Canada as often as you want for short stays (normally up to six months at a time) for as long as the eTA remains valid (source: canada.ca eTA facts).
• If you get a new passport you must apply for a brand-new eTA, because the old eTA stays tied to the old (now invalid) passport (source: canada.ca eTA facts and IRCC helpcentre qnum 1058).
• If IRCC asks you for supporting documents or a photograph after you apply, all supporting documents must be in English or French; if a document is in another language you must provide an English or French translation, an affidavit from the translator, and a certified copy of the original (source: IRCC helpcentre qnum 018).
• Translations must be complete and word-for-word (not summaries), must include any stamps or seals, and must NOT be done by the applicant, a family member, or your representative, even if they are a certified translator, or the application can be delayed or rejected for conflict of interest (source: IRCC translation requirements).
• When a photo IS required by IRCC (for example for a visitor visa, work or study permit, or if specifically requested), the printed photo frame must be at least 35 mm x 45 mm (about 1 3/8 in. x 1 3/4 in.) (source: IRCC visa photograph specifications, canada.ca).
• The size of the head, measured from the bottom of the chin to the crown (top) of the head, must be between 31 mm and 36 mm (about 1 1/4 in. to 1 7/16 in.) (source: IRCC photograph specifications).
• The photo must be taken against a plain white or light-coloured background so the face stands out clearly (source: IRCC photograph specifications).
• Show a full, front view of your head and the top of your shoulders, with your face squared to the camera and centred in the frame (source: IRCC photograph specifications).
• Use a neutral expression with your mouth closed — do not smile, frown, or open your mouth (source: IRCC photograph specifications).
• Your eyes must be open and clearly visible, and must not be covered by hair, glasses frames or any glare (source: IRCC photograph specifications).
• Glasses are no longer permitted in IRCC photos in most cases — remove your glasses for the photo unless you have a medical reason and provide a supporting note; if glasses are worn for a medical reason, the frames must not cover your eyes, the lenses must not be tinted, and there must be no glare or reflection (source: IRCC photograph specifications).
• There must be no shadows on your face or in the background, and lighting must be even (source: IRCC photograph specifications).
• The photo must be recent — taken within the last six months — and must look like you currently appear (source: IRCC photograph specifications).
• The image must be sharp, in focus, clear and printed on good-quality paper or supplied at the required resolution (digital photos at least 420 x 540 pixels, scanned photos at least 600 dpi); blurry, pixelated, over-exposed or low-quality photos are not accepted (source: IRCC photograph specifications).
• The photo must be an unaltered, true likeness — it must not be digitally edited, retouched, or filtered (source: IRCC photograph specifications).
• Head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons, and even then your full face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly visible (source: IRCC photograph specifications).
• Any passport scans or document images you are asked to provide must be clear, complete and legible, showing the full page including all numbers, the photo page and any stamps or seals.
• COMMON REASONS applications run into trouble or get refused include: entering a passport number, name, date of birth or nationality that does not exactly match the passport; using or travelling with a different passport than the one the eTA is linked to; an expired or soon-to-expire passport; and answering the eligibility/background questions incorrectly (source: canada.ca / IRCC).
• COMMON PHOTO/DOCUMENT REJECTION REASONS (when photos or documents are required) include: a blurry or out-of-focus image, the wrong or busy/coloured background, shadows on the face or background, an old photo (older than six months), wrong head size or framing, smiling or open mouth, eyes not visible or covered by glasses/glare, tinted lenses, an edited/altered image, a name that does not match the passport, and untranslated foreign-language documents (source: IRCC photograph and document specifications).
• Beware of third-party 'eTA help' websites: they do not operate on behalf of the Government of Canada and often charge extra service fees on top of the official cost; using them can lead to mistakes, overcharging or rejected applications, and the Government of Canada does not refund extra fees charged by these sites (source: IRCC helpcentre qnum 1232/1233/1234).

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• A visitor is normally allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months at a time (source: IRCC helpcentre qnum 1016).
• The final length of your stay is decided by the border services officer at the port of entry, who may authorize less than six months depending on your circumstances (source: IRCC helpcentre qnum 1016 / qnum 1198).
• If the officer wants you to leave by a specific date they will write or stamp that date in your passport, and they may also give you a separate document; that date is the end of your authorized stay (source: IRCC helpcentre qnum 1016).
• If your passport is not stamped on arrival, you are generally authorized to stay for six months from the day you entered Canada, OR until your passport expires, whichever comes first (source: IRCC helpcentre qnum 1016).
• You can ask a border services officer for a stamp if you want a clear record of your entry date and authorized stay (source: IRCC helpcentre qnum 1016).
• Count your authorized stay from the day you entered Canada (or use the leave-by date written in your passport); overstaying means remaining in Canada past that authorized end date without having applied to extend or change your status (source: canada.ca).
• Staying in Canada beyond your authorized period means you lose your legal temporary (visitor) status (source: canada.ca / IRCC).
• Overstaying can make you inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for failing to comply with its conditions; a report can be written against you and referred for a decision (source: IRPA / canada.ca).
• Consequences of overstaying can include being asked or ordered to leave Canada, a formal removal order, and difficulty being approved for future visas, eTAs, work permits, study permits or permanent residence, because your immigration history (including any overstay) is on record with IRCC and the CBSA (source: canada.ca / IRPA).
• An eTA is a travel authorization to board a flight to Canada — it cannot be 'extended' or converted; to stay longer than your authorized period you must apply, from inside Canada, for a visitor record (source: canada.ca extend-your-stay).
• It does not matter whether you entered on an eTA, a visitor visa or another document — to stay longer you apply for a visitor record using the Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada (IMM 5708), submitted online (source: canada.ca extend-your-stay / IRCC helpcentre qnum 473).
• Apply to extend your stay at least 30 days BEFORE your current authorized stay ends; if you apply before it expires, your original status continues under the same conditions (maintained status) until IRCC decides on your application (source: canada.ca extend-your-stay / IRCC helpcentre qnum 473).
• If you have already overstayed, you may apply to restore your visitor status, but ONLY if it has been less than 90 days since your status expired (source: IRCC helpcentre qnum 1250).
• To restore status, submit the IMM 5708 application, choose the 'Restore my status as a visitor' option, explain in detail why you stayed beyond your authorized period, and pay the required fees (source: IRCC helpcentre qnum 1250).
• There is no guarantee a restoration or extension application will be approved — it is at the discretion of IRCC (source: IRCC helpcentre qnum 1250).
• If more than 90 days have passed since your status expired, you are no longer eligible to apply for restoration and would generally need to leave Canada (source: IRCC helpcentre qnum 1250 / IRPA restoration rules).
• Note: routine visitors to Canada do not have a separate FRRO-style local police registration requirement like some other countries; your authorized stay is governed by the date set at the port of entry and any visitor record you obtain (source: canada.ca).
• If you need to stay longer, the safest action is to apply for a visitor record well before your authorized stay ends rather than waiting until you have overstayed (source: canada.ca extend-your-stay).