Canada eTA Visa | Validity, Criminal Convictions and More

As of November 10, 2016, travelers who require Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) will need to submit the application online. Failure to comply may result in delays at the airport. The ETA allows travelers to visit Canada for Tourism and Business and may stay for up to 6 months. Immigration will tell the visitor how long exactly he/she may remain in Canada. The eTA will remain valid for 5 years and electronically linked to the visitor’s passport. The eTA has multiple entry statuses. The eTA is required if you arrive by air only and are in transit (layover) through a Canadian airport.

When traveling to Canada, you always need to carry proper travel documents and identification for yourself and any children traveling with you. Transport companies, such as airlines, will make sure you have proper, valid travel documents. If you do not have the proper documents, you may be delayed or unable to board the plane.

What is the Canada eTA?

An eTA is a travel authorization document issued to citizens of visa-exempt countries by Canadian immigration officials for short-term visits up to six months. The document is linked electronically to the passports of the eTA holders.  

An eTA is valid for up to five years or till the validity of the passport, whichever comes first. If the passport validity expires within five years, the visitor needs to apply for a new eTA with the new passport number.

eTA Validity

Once approved, your eTA is valid for five years or until your passport expires - whichever comes first. You can come to Canada as many times as you wish as long as your eTA remains valid. In some cases, the approval process may take up to 72 hours. This is due to an extended Immigration review. You will be notified via email if your application is under review.

Who Requires an eTA to Visit Canada?

Travelers from visa-exempt countries are required to have an eTA to enter the country through an airport. They do not need to apply for the document if they plan to cross Canadian borders by car, bus, train, or boat. Citizens from a few visa-needed countries can apply for an eTA instead of a visitor visa to land in Canadian airports.

To enter the country through other modes of travel, they need a visitor visa. Brazil, Bulgaria, and Romania are examples of nations whose citizens can fly to Canada with an eTA.

Canada eTA for Tourism

All foreign nationals who wish to tour Canada, a country known for its geographical diversity, rich infrastructure, and cosmopolitan and inclusive culture, can apply for a visitor visa. This will permit them to stay in Canada for a short term for up to six months.

Citizens of a few countries can visit the nation without a visitor visa. They can travel to the country with an eTA.

Canada eTA for Business

Travelers eligible for the eTA can go to Canada for business purposes. This can be business meetings, conferences, or technical meetings. However, they cannot engage in any kind of paid activity.

Canada eTA for Transit

Passengers coming from visa-free countries can transit through Canadian airports with an eTA. However, this is allowed only if they stay in Canada for less than 48 hours, are connecting two international flights in Canadian airports, or if their flights stop briefly. Travelers from non-visa-free countries have to apply for a transit visa.

Do I need a Visa?

Foreign nationals from about 148 countries will need a visa to enter Canada. They can apply for a visa at the Canadian consulate in their country for various purposes, including education, travel, employment or even migration. Visa type will depend on Canadian visa policy.

Tourists and Short-Term Business travelers from certain nations planning to visit Canada are not required to apply for a visa. Instead, they must apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

Who Does not Need an eTA?

Visitors from the United States do not need an ETA to enter Canada. All that will be needed is a valid passport.

At the moment, Canada requires all visitors to register their trip with the ArriveCan app. This program will quickly register all incoming visitors in Canada. It was created as a measure to counter COVID-19. Travelers need to take prescribed doses of approved vaccines to be accepted as fully vaccinated passengers. They are exempt from pre-tests to cross the borders by air, water, or land.  

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children between 12-18 years are also not required to do the pre-COVID test. Children who are under five years too need not be tested to be allowed in the country.

Applying for an eTA

Applying for eTA is an easy online process. Natvisa offers services for the eTA.

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Once the form has been accessed, they need to fill in the details. There may be a few questions, and the applicants will also be asked to present their passports, credit cards, and e-mail addresses. The process usually takes a few minutes to complete.

Be cautious while entering the passport number and typing in the e-mail address. Incorrect passport numbers can create problems and the applicants may be denied entry. In such cases, they will have to apply again. If and when the eTA is approved, the approval mail will be sent to the applicant’s e-mail address. The mail will have the eTA number with which they can check the status.

Do I Need Additional Documents Apart From the eTA?

Under some circumstances, travelers may be asked to provide additional documents. If they are bringing a minor with them. Under Canadian law, a child, who is under 18 years old, is considered a minor. The visitors coming with minors will be asked to provide an authorization letter from the parents or guardians of the child. In the case of adoption, proper documents need to be submitted to the immigration authorities at the port of entry.

If a foreigner is visiting on the invitation of a company, he/she needs to show the letter of invitation to the authorities at the immigration counter.

Can Travelers with Criminal Conviction Enter Canada

Canadian Border Security Officers generally deny entry to travelers who are deemed inadmissible to Canada. There are various reasons for travelers to become inadmissible. Some of the reasons are as follows:

1. Travelers who have committed or have been convicted of a crime in their home country.
2. Travelers who had been diagnosed with a communicable disease.
3. Travelers who have given wrong data in the application form violated immigration law or were declared as a security threat.

What can be Done to Overcome Inadmissibility?

Border security officers can allow the visitor to enter Canada based on the nature of the crime or if he/she has been rehabilitated since then.

Foreign nationals with criminal inadmissibility can apply for a temporary resident permit for a single-time entry. Though this approach is comparatively easy, they can enter the country with this permit only once. They cannot renew or extend their stay.

People with criminal inadmissibility can enter Canada through another program called Criminal Rehabilitation. Although it is a longer process, it helps the applicants start anew and permanently clear their inadmissibility.

There are Two Ways for Rehabilitation

Foreigners can apply for individual rehabilitation if the act that made them inadmissible was committed five years prior to the date of application or five years have passed since the end of their criminal sentence.

The applicants must demonstrate that they have been completely rehabilitated from the crime and are not prone to commit the offense in the future. Deemed rehabilitation is allowed for less serious offenses and for crimes that were committed at least 10 years ago.

A legal opinion letter from the border security officials can help the applicants with the rehabilitation process or obtaining a TRP. The applicant’s lawyers must convince the officers that the offense was not serious in nature and was an isolated incident.

FAQ

Are citizens from the UK eligible for the Canada eTA?

Yes, British citizens can apply for the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The process will be the same for citizens from the United Kingdom. Apply online, wait 10-15 minutes, and receive the eta visa via email. There is no need to print up a visa document as the eta details are linked to the passport for the duration of the validity.

Are there any age exemptions for eTA?

No there is not. All eTA-required travelers, regardless of their age, will need an eTA when they fly to Canada. This applies only if arriving by air. It is important to understand what entry documentation is needed if arriving by sea or land.

How long does it take to receive the Canada eTA?

Applying for the Canada eTA is very simple, and processing is quick. After the application is filled and payment is received, processing can take as little as 10 minutes. However, some applications may require further action. This is determined by Immigration on a case-by-case basis.

How will I receive my Canada eTA Approval?

After the application is successfully processed and approved, an eTA-approved email will be sent to the email on file. Keep in mind the Canada eTA is electronically linked to your passport and doesn’t require any document print-out.

I am a permanent resident of the U.S. (Green Card holder). Do I need an eTA?

No. US Permanent Residents will not need an eTa to fly into Canada. Keep in mind eTA is valid for air travel only. Always carry your valid Green Card to show your status as a U.S. permanent resident.

I am an American citizen. Do I need an eTA to enter Canada?

No. American citizens do not need an eTA to enter Canada. However, you must carry proper identification and meet the basic requirements to enter Canada.

I am visiting the U.S. I want to come to Canada afterward. Do I need an eTA?

It depends if you are from an eTA-required country and how you travel to Canada. If you are from an eTA-required country and will travel to Canada by air, you will need an eTA. If you are from an eTA-required country and will travel to Canada by land or sea, you will not need an eTA.

However, carry proper identification to show to the border services officer when you enter Canada. If you are from a visa-required country, you will need to get a visa no matter how you arrive.

I will be arriving into Canada by air, do I need the Canada eTA?

Yes, The Canada eTA Visa is only available for travelers arriving by air. If you are arriving via boat or by land crossing, you cannot apply for the eTA. You need to be well prepared on what visa documentation is needed before departing to Canada. If you are from an eTA-approved country, you will need an eTA visa approval. No physical copy of the eTA is needed. It is all electronic.

My eTA was Denied. Can I still Travel to Canada?

If your application was rejected, you should not depart to Canada. If you arrive in Canada without a valid eTA visa, you may be refused entry by Immigration officials.

Upon rejection, there should be a reason given by Immigration. Once you fix whatever the issue is, apply again and wait for a response. Do not travel to Canada on a rejected eTA visa.

Once my eTA has been Approved, do I need to print anything out?

No, you are not required to have a printout. The eTA is linked to your passport number for the duration of the eTA. The eTA visa is valid for 5 years from the date it is issued.

What is the eTA validity?

Once approved, your eTA is valid for five (5) years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. You can travel to Canada as many times as you want as long as your eTA visa remains valid.

A valid eTA and travel document will facilitate your entry to Canada, but it does not mean you can enter Canada. When you arrive in Canada, you will still need to demonstrate to a border services officer that you satisfy all requirements to enter Canada. You may not be allowed to enter if you do not meet all the requirements.