Canada eTA Eligible Countries

If you are flying to Canada and you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before you board your flight. The eTA program applies to citizens of visa-exempt countries, and since 2023 it has also been extended to nationals of several countries that previously required a full visa. This page provides a complete list of eTA-eligible countries, explains who needs an eTA and who does not, and answers the most common questions about eligibility.

What Does “eTA-Eligible” Mean?

A country is eTA-eligible if its citizens can travel to Canada by air with just an Electronic Travel Authorization instead of a full visitor visa. There are two categories of eTA-eligible travellers:

• Visa-exempt nationals – Citizens of countries that have a visa exemption agreement with Canada. These travellers have been able to fly to Canada without a visa for years and were required to obtain an eTA starting in 2016.
• Newly eligible nationals – Citizens of 13 countries that were added to the eTA program in 2023. These travellers previously needed a full visitor visa but can now apply for an eTA if they have held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years or currently hold a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa.

Both groups apply through the same online process and pay the same CAD $7 fee.

Complete List of eTA-Eligible Countries

The following table lists all countries whose citizens are eligible for a Canada eTA when travelling by air. This list is current as of 2026 and reflects the most recent expansion of the eTA program.

Total: approximately 65+ countries and territories.

The 13 countries added in 2023 have specific conditions. Nationals of these countries qualify for an eTA only if they have held a Canadian temporary resident visa at any point in the 10 years preceding their application, or if they currently hold a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa. If neither condition is met, they still need to apply for a regular visitor visa.

Who Needs a Canada eTA?

You need a Canada eTA if all of the following conditions apply to you:

• You are a citizen of one of the eTA-eligible countries listed above.
• You are travelling to Canada by air (including transit through a Canadian airport).
• You are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• You do not already hold a valid Canadian visa, study permit, or work permit.

An eTA costs CAD $7 and is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires. In most cases, approval comes within minutes of submitting the online application.

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

U.S. citizens do not need an eTA or a visa to fly to Canada. They can enter with a valid U.S. passport. However, U.S. permanent residents (green card holders) who are citizens of another country do need an eTA if their citizenship country is on the eTA-eligible list. They must carry their green card and the passport from their country of citizenship.

Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents

Canadian citizens cannot apply for an eTA and do not need one. You must travel on a valid Canadian passport. Canadian permanent residents should carry their permanent resident card or a valid permanent resident travel document.

The 2023 eTA Expansion: 13 New Countries

In June 2023, Canada expanded the eTA program to citizens of 13 countries that were previously visa-required. This was a significant change aimed at reducing processing times and making travel to Canada more accessible for low-risk travellers from these nations.

The newly eligible countries are:

1. Antigua and Barbuda
2. Argentina
3. Brazil
4. Morocco
5. Philippines
6. Saint Lucia
7. Seychelles
8. Thailand
9. Trinidad and Tobago
10. Uruguay

Important conditions for the 2023 expansion:

To qualify for an eTA instead of a visa, citizens of these countries must meet one of the following criteria:

• They have held a Canadian temporary resident visa (visitor visa) at any point in the past 10 years.
• They currently hold a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa.

If neither condition applies, the traveller must still apply for a standard Canadian visitor visa through the normal process. This condition is automatically checked during the eTA application – the system will verify your travel history against IRCC records.

How to Check if Your Country Is Eligible

The fastest way to check your eligibility is to visit the official Government of Canada eTA website and begin the application process. The system will ask for your citizenship and travel details and will immediately tell you whether you need an eTA, a visa, or neither.

You can also check by:

• Looking at the country list on this page.
• Contacting the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate.
• Calling the IRCC Client Service Centre.

Countries That Require a Visa (Not Eligible for eTA)

If your country is not on the eTA-eligible list, you need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), commonly called a visitor visa. This applies to citizens of most countries in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Some notable countries that require a visa include:

• India
• China
• Pakistan
• Bangladesh
• Nigeria
• Egypt
• Saudi Arabia
• Vietnam
• Indonesia
• Colombia

The visitor visa application process is more involved than an eTA. It typically requires biometrics, supporting documents such as bank statements and invitation letters, and processing times can range from a few weeks to several months. You can find detailed requirements on the IRCC website.

eTA for Transit Through Canada

Even if you are not staying in Canada and are only passing through a Canadian airport on your way to another country, you still need an eTA if your citizenship country is on the eTA-eligible list. This is because Canada requires all air travellers to clear immigration, even for connecting flights.

If your country requires a visa, you may qualify for a transit without visa (TWOV) exemption if you are transiting through specific Canadian airports on your way to or from the United States. This is a separate program with its own eligibility rules.

Dual Citizens and Special Cases

Dual citizens who hold Canadian citizenship as one of their nationalities cannot use an eTA. You must travel on a valid Canadian passport. If you also hold citizenship of a visa-exempt country, you cannot use that passport to apply for an eTA to enter Canada.

Refugee travel document holders are generally not eligible for an eTA regardless of the issuing country. You should contact IRCC to determine what entry document you need.

Holders of diplomatic or official passports may have different requirements depending on bilateral agreements between Canada and the issuing country. Check with the Canadian embassy for your specific situation.

eTA Processing Times and Validity

Most eTA applications are approved within minutes. In some cases, additional documentation may be requested, which can extend processing to several days. Once approved:

• The eTA is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
• You can use the same eTA for multiple trips to Canada during its validity period.
• There is no need to print anything – the eTA is electronically linked to your passport.

When you check in for your flight, the airline will verify your eTA status against your passport number. If you do not have a valid eTA, you will not be allowed to board.

Frequently Asked Questions