eTA - Confused....
 

Hi All,

My wife and I are fully vaccinated UK citizens based in London, UK - we have both, independently(before we knew each other) crossed the US/Canada border in about 2001/2002, just turned up, presented passport, stamped and sent on our way.

For the eTA, does this land border crossing ~20 years ago mean that we need to say "Yes" to this question:

"Have you ever applied for or obtained a visa, an eTA or a permit to visit, live, work or study in Canada? (required)"

As neither of us has actually applied previously, and just crossed at a land border, what should I choose ?

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Also, separately our flights are next Saturday (11th) -

With the information below, should I also wait to fill out the eTA - or as we are traveling very soon and Monday is a federal holiday in Canada, just get it done ?

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...it-canada.html

"New instructions for visitor visa applicants coming soon

New instructions for visitor visa applicants will be available soon, to reflect the easing of border measures effective September 7, 2021. Unless you’re travelling for compassionate reasons (such as, to be present during the final moments of life of a loved one), we encourage you to wait to apply until the new instructions are available."

You would answer no to that question. You entered without a visa and didn’t apply for a work or study permit.

You’re not applying for a visitor visa (you can’t as a British citizen), just apply for the ETA now (It’s not a visa, just a travel authorization).

I agree its not a visa, just a travel authorisation - but - Im not sure what we entered Canada on previously (a permit to visit .,,.. ?)

You previously entered on just your passport. Until the ETA came in, you didn’t need anything to enter Canada as a Brit. The passport itself was sufficient to permit entry. You’d know if you’d been issued a Temporary resident permit (it’s A4 size and is folded up and stapled into your passport), you’d only have been issued one if they deemed you inadmissible to Canada but allowed you entry anyway (due to it being for the public good) or if you wanted to stay for longer than the permitted 6 month period.

Thanks - that makes quite alot of sense now - really appreciated!

No problem. Have a great trip!