Nov 19, 2015, 12:45 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Canada New Electronic Travel Authorization / ETA as of 15 Mar 2016
Required of Visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or transiting through Canada
Required of Visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or transiting through Canada
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Starting March 15, 2016, visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid visa.
Entry requirements for other methods of travel (land, sea) have not changed.
Do not wait until the last minute – apply now for an eTA.
See http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp
Starting March 15, 2016, visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid visa.
Entry requirements for other methods of travel (land, sea) have not changed.
Do not wait until the last minute – apply now for an eTA.
See http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp
Link to video.
To complete the online form, you need:If you are a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. and you do not have a passport, you can apply for an eTA with:You can only apply for one person at a time. For example, for a family of three people, you will need to complete and submit the form three times.
Reminder
You cannot apply for an eTA if you are:Answer a few questions to make sure that you need an eTA and then continue directly to the form to apply for one online.
- a valid passport from a visa-exempt country
- You cannot apply using a Refugee Travel Document, Emergency Travel Document, Organization of American States (OAS) Travel Document or a UN Laissez-Passer.
- a valid U.S. Refugee Travel Document (I-571)
- a valid Permit to Re-Enter the United States (I-327)
- a valid machine-readable immigrant visa (I-551), endorsed with a valid U.S. Admission Stamp
- a credit card
- Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express®, or
- a pre-paid Visa®, MasterCard® or American Express®,
- and a valid email address.
Reminder
You cannot apply for an eTA if you are:
- a Canadian citizen or a dual Canadian citizen,
- a Canadian permanent resident, or
- a U.S. citizen. (However, lawful permanent residents of the U.S. need an eTA if travelling by air.)
Canada New ETA Required 15 Mar 2016 - Questions, Visa, etc.
Nov 19, 2015, 8:16 am
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 11
Canada New ETA Required 15 Mar 2016 - Questions, Visa, etc.
It seems Canada is introducing an >>Electronic Travel Authorisation<<, which is compulsory from 15 March 2016.
Are there any advantages to register under this scheme now, if travelling before the cut-off date?
Furthermore we (2 Belgian adults with our Belgian kid, each has a machinereadable passport) would like to cross from Canada into the U.S. for something like a weekendtrip to a random city somewhere across the border. I read that a U.S. ESTA is not required when crossing by land from Canada to the U.S., where the travellers in question are from Visa Waiver Countries.
So am I right in the overall assumtion that, if travelling before the mentioned Canadian ETA cut-off date, we won't need to apply for anything right now? That feels a bit odd!
Thanks for any possible input,
Rgds, Christian
Are there any advantages to register under this scheme now, if travelling before the cut-off date?
Furthermore we (2 Belgian adults with our Belgian kid, each has a machinereadable passport) would like to cross from Canada into the U.S. for something like a weekendtrip to a random city somewhere across the border. I read that a U.S. ESTA is not required when crossing by land from Canada to the U.S., where the travellers in question are from Visa Waiver Countries.
So am I right in the overall assumtion that, if travelling before the mentioned Canadian ETA cut-off date, we won't need to apply for anything right now? That feels a bit odd!
Thanks for any possible input,
Rgds, Christian
Last edited by JDiver; Nov 19, 2015 at 12:40 pm Reason: Restore original post title
Nov 19, 2015, 10:43 am
#2
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Wow, did not know about that 
It appears that there is a payment, so I would not do this if traveling before implementation date @:-)
I'm guessing that in the longrun it will be good, as it will speed up Immigration, and I'm guessing the fee is part of airline ticket now.
I'm guessing that in the longrun it will be good, as it will speed up Immigration, and I'm guessing the fee is part of airline ticket now.
Nov 19, 2015, 1:03 pm
#3
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Wow, did not know about that
It appears that there is a payment, so I would not do this if traveling before implementation date @:-)
I'm guessing that in the longrun it will be good, as it will speed up Immigration, and I'm guessing the fee is part of airline ticket now.
It appears that there is a payment, so I would not do this if traveling before implementation date @:-)
I'm guessing that in the longrun it will be good, as it will speed up Immigration, and I'm guessing the fee is part of airline ticket now.
Thanks for the AMP. Now added to the wiki, title changed, thread "stuck".
Nov 19, 2015, 1:07 pm
#4
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OK, seven bucks isn't too bad. And quite possibly well worth it considering the LOOOONG line I saw at YVR a month or two ago. That is if it speeds things up.
Thanks, that's VERY useful info for anyone planning a trip to Canada next year ^
Let the discussion begin
Thanks, that's VERY useful info for anyone planning a trip to Canada next year ^
Let the discussion begin
Nov 19, 2015, 1:26 pm
#5
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The discussion about this was started some time back:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/check...ee-regime.html
Nov 19, 2015, 2:42 pm
#6
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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The discussion about this was started some time back:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/check...ee-regime.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/check...ee-regime.html
How did I miss that 
Thanks for setting me straight ^
Nov 20, 2015, 1:20 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 11
The discussion about this was started some time back:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/check...ee-regime.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/check...ee-regime.html
What I still don't know is, if there are any advantages to applying before the cut-off date, such as faster lines?
I´m not in Canada that often, I might as well only need an eTA after my current passport expires.
7 CADs aren't that much, so if this speeds up immigration it might be worthwile spending them, otherwise maybe not so much...
Summary: Does anyone know the Pros&Cons?
Nov 20, 2015, 2:51 am
#8
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Interesting discussion.
What I still don't know is, if there are any advantages to applying before the cut-off date, such as faster lines?
I´m not in Canada that often, I might as well only need an eTA after my current passport expires.
7 CADs aren't that much, so if this speeds up immigration it might be worthwile spending them, otherwise maybe not so much...
Summary: Does anyone know the Pros&Cons?
What I still don't know is, if there are any advantages to applying before the cut-off date, such as faster lines?
I´m not in Canada that often, I might as well only need an eTA after my current passport expires.
7 CADs aren't that much, so if this speeds up immigration it might be worthwile spending them, otherwise maybe not so much...
Summary: Does anyone know the Pros&Cons?
--
13F
Dec 15, 2015, 3:05 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 71
Furthermore we (2 Belgian adults with our Belgian kid, each has a machinereadable passport) would like to cross from Canada into the U.S. for something like a weekendtrip to a random city somewhere across the border. I read that a U.S. ESTA is not required when crossing by land from Canada to the U.S., where the travellers in question are from Visa Waiver Countries.
But be sure to read the fine print on the ETA info page, and read all the entry requirements for CA and USA on their respective embassy or immigration websites.
Dec 15, 2015, 3:06 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2015
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Another pro (for anybody else than Canadians): our weak Dollar. ;-)
Jan 10, 2016, 8:22 pm
#11
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It's $7.00 CAD, which must be paid upon applying for the eTA online - definitely not part of airline ticketing. A lot like Australia's ETA - I applied for my Australia ETA this morning, very efficient and rapid, but $20.00 AUD.
Thanks for the AMP. Now added to the wiki, title changed, thread "stuck".
Thanks for the AMP. Now added to the wiki, title changed, thread "stuck".
This cannot (and I have seen very long queues to clear immigration at SYD...)
Jan 11, 2016, 1:11 am
#12
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And some airlines have given Australian ETAs/evisa for free because they could file them without being charged for them. For example, United used to do the ETAs without charging customers -- at least those in business class on UA flights. AFAIK, there is indeed no such option for the Canadian or US ETA/ESTA/evisa.
Jan 12, 2016, 1:25 pm
#13
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Has anyone had experience of delays in the system? My application has been in the system for longer than the 72 hours stated, I have submitted a case specific enquiry but have received no reply. By contrast my US ETSA I applied for a couple of months ago was instantly issued.