Electronic travel authorisation (eTA) for Canada

All visa-exempt persons travelling to Canada by air must hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). <Examples of nationalities concerned** : France, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, South Korea, etc. The full list of eligible countries is available on the official Canadian government websites.

Exemptions:

• If you already hold a valid visa (e.g. tourist, work or study visa) or if you are a permanent resident of Canada, you are not concerned by the ETA.

Check eligibility:

• Before booking your ticket, check whether your nationality is concerned by the ETA. <Eligible countries are generally listed on the official websites of the Canadian government.

"Air" specificity:

• The AVE only applies to travellers entering Canada by air.
• If you plan to enter by land or sea, you don't need this authorisation, but other formalities may apply.

The eTA Canada is generally valid for 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During this period, you may enter Canada several times for short stays, not exceeding six months per visit.

General validity

• An EV is valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

Multiple entries

• You can come to Canada several times with the same AVE, as long as your passport remains valid.

Maximum length of stay

• Generally, 6 months of stay are allowed per entry, but the immigration officer may confirm or adjust this upon your arrival.

Renewal

• If you renew your passport or change your personal details, you must apply for a new AVE.

Modification not possible

• Once the request has been finalised, you cannot modify the information (name, passport number, etc.).

Request

• If you find an error, you will need to submit a new request to correct the data.

Cancellation and refund

• There is no standard refund procedure.
• The fee is considered a processing fee and will not be refunded even in the event of cancellation.

Prevention of errors

• To avoid any confusion, check carefully your information (name, date of birth, passport number) before validating the request.

Government fees

• The Canadian authorities charge a fixed amount to process each application. To find out more, you can consult the dedicated page on our site or refer to the official information.

Additional service charges

• If you use a helpdesk or an intermediary site, additional charges may apply (proofreading, checking the form, customer support, etc.).

Method of payment

• Payment is generally made online.

Payment method

• Payment is made online, usually by bank card or via an approved payment service.

Confirmation

• After payment, you will usually receive a confirmation email.
• Keep this document, as you may be asked for it when you board.

Important

• The AVE fee is often non-refundable, even in the event of refusal or error.
• Check your details carefully before confirming payment to avoid any inconvenience.

• Airport transit**: If you are simply making a stopover without leaving the international zone (for example, staying in the airport to change planes), you may be subject to the AVE requirement if you are a national of a visa-exempt country. <Change of terminal or airline**: In some cases, you will have to leave the transit area to collect your baggage or to go to another terminal. Even for a short trip, you will need to present a valid AVE if you come from an AVE-eligible country.
• Extended stopover: If your stopover lasts more than a few hours, to the point of requiring accommodation or leaving the airport, you will require entry authorisation, in the form of an AVE (if eligible) or a visa.
• Tip: It is indispensable to check with your airline or the official website of the Canadian government for the exact transit rules, which may vary according to nationality and length of stopover.

• Close link with passport** : The AVE is linked to the passport number you used when you applied.
• Renewal or change of details: If you change your name, date of birth or if your old passport is no longer valid, you will need to apply for a new EVA.
• Future travel: Simply having a validity period left on your old AVE is not enough if your passport has changed. Airlines and immigration officials check the match between your current passport and the electronic authorisation.
• Tip: Start the process as soon as you receive your new passport, to avoid any last-minute stress before travelling.