Travel authorization · checked 3 Nov 2026

Best eVisa for Canada

The short answerThe eTA is an electronic authorization linked to your passport that visa-exempt travelers need to fly to or through a Canadian airport. Go to the official site.

The official link goes to canada.ca. NUM isn’t a government agency or a visa service. Rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay or travel.

At a glance

The Canada eTA in brief.

Fee	CAN$7, non-refundable
Valid for	Up to five years, or until your passport expires
Stay	Normally up to six months at a time
When to apply	Before you book your flight
Decision	Most within minutes, some take several days

Who it’s for

Do you need it?

Visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or through Canada, plus citizens of certain visa-required countries who qualify and travel by air. US citizens and US lawful permanent residents don’t need one, and visa-exempt travelers arriving by land or sea generally don’t either.

Before you start

What to have ready.

A valid passport from a visa-exempt country or territory.
A valid email address.
A credit or debit card.

Watch outThird-party websites charge extra and don’t work for the Government of Canada. Canada doesn’t refund those fees.

Questions

The short answers.

What is the best eVisa for Canada?

The eTA is an electronic authorization linked to your passport that visa-exempt travelers need to fly to or through a Canadian airport. Apply on the official site, unless you want to pay a private service for help.

Who needs the Canada eTA?

Visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to or through Canada, plus citizens of certain visa-required countries who qualify and travel by air. US citizens and US lawful permanent residents don’t need one, and visa-exempt travelers arriving by land or sea generally don’t either.

How much does it cost?

CAN$7, non-refundable. Fees change, so confirm it on the official site before you pay.

When should I apply?

Before you book your flight.

Does NUM issue the Canada eTA?

No. NUM isn’t a government agency or a visa service, and we don’t decide applications. We explain what’s needed and link to the official site.

The rest of the trip

Land connected.

Get your data ready before you fly with a Canada eSIM. Need anything else? Text NUM.

Sources