Canada eTA Allowed Travel Purposes
The Canada eTA is an electronic travel authorisation for eligible travellers flying to Canada. There are no separate types or categories. One eTA can be used for many travel purposes.
Tourism
The Canada eTA can be used to enter the country for tourism, leisure and holidays.
Airport Transit
The Canada eTA can be used to transit through a Canadian airport while travelling to another country. It does not apply to land or sea crossings.
Business Visits
The Canada eTA can be used to visit Canada to attend business meetings, conferences, business events and other approved business purposes. It does not authorise employment or paid work of any kind in Canada.
Family Visits
The Canada eTA can also be used to visit a family member (Canadian citizen or permanent resident) in Canada.
Short-Term Study
The Canada eTA covers study programmes of up to 6 months. Courses running longer than 6 months require a separate study permit.
Canada eTA Application Requirements
The Canada eTA application requirements are the same for all eligible travel purposes. Depending on the applicant's nationality, additional eligibility requirements may also apply.
Required for All Applicants
- Scanned copy of the passport bio page
Additional Eligibility Requirement (Applies to Certain Nationalities Only)
Applicants from certain nationalities must satisfy ONE of the following conditions:
Option 1: Previously Held a Canadian Visitor Visa
- You held an eligible Canadian visitor visa issued within the past 10 years.
- Confirm this in the application form.
- A scanned copy of the previous visa or its details is not required.
Option 2: Hold a Valid U.S. Non-Immigrant Visa
- Hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa that remains valid on the date of application.
- Enter the following details in the application:
- U.S. visa number
- U.S. visa expiry date
- A scanned copy of the U.S. visa is not required.
Before starting the Canada eTA application, applicants should ensure they meet all applicable requirements based on their nationality.
Check detailed information on Canada eTA requirements.
Content Disclaimer: Last updated in July 2026. Requirements and regulations may change; always verify with official Canadian government sources before travel.