How to fill out the Canada eTA application form online

The Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is a required document for travellers visiting Canada for short stays, whether for tourism, business, transit, or other legitimate purposes.
In this step-by-step guide, we explain how to complete the Canada eTA application form online quickly and accurately. Each section walks you through the key parts of the eTA form, detailing the information you’ll need to provide and the elements to double-check before submission.
Whether you're applying for a Canada eTA for the first time or looking for tips to avoid delays or rejection, this guide will help you complete your application with confidence.

📌 Canada eTA form: The essentials

• Requirement: The eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is required for visa-exempt travellers entering Canada by air.
• Validity: The eTA is valid for 5 years or until the expiry of the passport, whichever comes first.
• Processing time: The Canada eTA application is often processed within minutes, but it is best to apply several days before departure.
• Information required: The eTA form requires personal details, passport and travel information, and answers to health and security questions.
• Fees: The eTA application costs CAD 7, payable online by credit or debit card (additional service fees may apply).

What is the eTA form for Canada?

The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) form is an entry requirement for foreign travellers exempt from visas travelling to Canada by air. It enhances border security and facilitates the control of travellers before departure.

👤 Who needs to apply for an eTA?

Citizens of visa-exempt countries must apply for a Canada eTA before boarding their flight. This includes tourists, transit passengers, and business travellers.

📝 What information is required on the form?

The Canada eTA form is completed online. It asks for:

• your personal information (name, date of birth, gender, nationality)
• your contact details and passport information
• your reason for travel (tourism, business, etc.)

⚠️ Security questions to be completed

The form also contains questions about your health, criminal record and previous travel. These factors allow the authorities to verify your eligibility.

🔐Where can I find the eTA form for Canada?

To apply for a Canada eTA securely, it’s important to use a trusted platform or recognised service provider that ensures the accuracy and protection of your personal information throughout the application process.

• Using the official website or service providers: It is crucial to only use the official website or a recognised service provider for your eTA application. Avoid suspicious websites that could potentially compromise your personal information.
• Preparation: Prepare all the necessary information in advance to avoid any delays during the application process.
• Verification of information: Take the time to carefully review each field of the Canada eTA form. An error in your passport number or email address could delay the processing of your application or even result in its rejection.

First part of the eTA form: Personal information

When you reach the personal information section of the Canada eTA application form, it is essential to provide details that are accurate and match your passport exactly. This step is crucial to verify your identity and avoid any delays or issues during the processing of your eTA request.

Here is how to fill out this section correctly:

• 👤 Name: Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport. Avoid unnecessary spaces or unauthorised special characters. Use upper/lower case letters as indicated.
• 🎂 Date of birth: Enter your date of birth in dd/mm/yyyy format. Check that it is correct and identical to the date on your passport.
• 🚻 Gender: Select ‘male’ or ‘female’ according to your legal identity. This information must also match the information on your travel document.
• 🌍 Nationality: Select your current nationality from the drop-down menu on the eTA form. It must match the nationality on your passport.

Second part of the eTA form: Information about your trip to Canada

When you reach the travel information section of the Canada eTA application form, it is essential to provide details that are accurate and consistent with your plans. This information allows the Canadian authorities to understand the nature of your visit and assess your eligibility.

Here is how to complete this part of the Canada eTA form correctly:

• Planned travel dates: Indicate the start date and end date of your stay in Canada. This information must match your reservations or estimated schedule.
• Purpose of travel: Select the major reason for your visit from the options provided: tourism, business, family visit, studies, etc.
• Length of stay: Specify the total length of your planned stay. This must be consistent with the travel dates provided.
• Address in Canada: If you already know the address of your accommodation (friends, family, hotel), enter it here. Otherwise, you can enter the address of a hotel you plan to stay at for your first night.
• Travel itinerary: Briefly mention the cities you plan to visit and your planned activities. This helps to provide context for your stay.

Part Three of the eTA form: Passport information

The passport section of the Canada eTA application form is critical for confirming your identity and verifying your eligibility to enter Canada. Any mistake in this part — such as a wrong passport number or expiry date — may lead to your eTA application being rejected, so make sure to fill it out carefully and double-check all details.

Here is how to complete this part of the eTA form correctly:

• Passport number: Enter your number exactly as it appears on your passport. Double-check each letter and number to avoid any typing errors.
• Date of issue: Enter the date your passport was issued in dd/mm/yyyy format. This field is essential to validate its validity.
• Expiry date: Enter the expiry date of your passport. It must remain valid for the entire duration of your planned stay in Canada.
• Country of issue: Select the country that issued your passport from the drop-down menu. This information must match your nationality as stated earlier in the form.

Part 4 of the eTA form: Employment and background information

The employment and background section of the Canada eTA application form is intended to collect information about your current job status and previous international travel. These details help Canadian authorities assess your admissibility and ensure that your travel plans are consistent and credible.

Here is how to accurately complete this part of the eTA form:

• 🏢 Current employment: Indicate your job title, the name of your employer, and the length of your current employment. This information helps establish the stability of your professional situation.
• 🌍 Previous travel: Indicate whether you have previously travelled to Canada or other countries. Mention the dates of your stay and the reason for your visits (tourism, business, studies, etc.). This will help assess your travel history.
• ⚖️ Criminal record: If you have a criminal record, you must answer the questions asked in a transparent manner and, if necessary, attach supporting documents. An incomplete or incorrect declaration may compromise your application.

✔️ Review and verification before submitting the eTA form

Before submitting your Canada eTA application form online, it’s essential to carefully review all the information you’ve entered. This final step helps ensure everything is accurate and complete, reducing the risk of delays or rejection due to mistakes or missing details.

🔎 Why it is important

It allows you to correct typos, omissions and inconsistencies that could delay or compromise the acceptance of your eTA application.

📋 To check before submitting the Canada eTA form:

• Read carefully: Reread each section of the form, field by field, without rushing.
• Check the dates: Date of birth, date of travel, passport expiry date... Everything must be consistent and match your documents.
• Avoid typos: An incorrect number or letter can result in automatic rejection.
• Ensure consistency: All information entered must match your passport and other supporting documents.
• Check your selections: Make sure you have selected the correct factors in the drop-down menus (country, nationality, gender, etc.).
• Attach the necessary documents: If supporting documents are required, make sure you provide them in the correct format.

Submitting the eTA application form and processing time

Once you’ve reviewed and completed your Canada eTA application form, you can move on to the online submission step. Although straightforward, this final stage must be handled carefully to ensure your application is successfully submitted.

• Final validation: Take a moment to review the entire form. Make sure that each section is complete and correct, including personal information, dates and attached documents.
• Processing fees: A required fee is required to submit your eTA application. The fee is CAD 7, usually payable online by credit card. Additional service fees may apply depending on the platform used.
• Submitting the form: Once you are ready, click on the button to submit your eTA form online. Submission is immediate, and there is no paperwork involved.
• Confirmation and PDF: After submission, you will receive a confirmation email, including a file number and, where applicable, a PDF copy of your receipt. This PDF version can be printed or saved on your phone for proof, even if the eTA is electronically linked to your passport.
• Processing time: In most cases, the eTA is issued within a few minutes. However, some applications may require additional processing time (verifications, inconsistencies, etc.). It is therefore advisable to apply several days before departure.

📩 Tracking your Canada eTA application after submitting the form

After completing and submitting your Canada eTA application form online, it’s important to monitor the status of your application to anticipate any potential issues. While most applications are processed within minutes, some may require additional processing time due to manual verification by Canadian authorities.

📧 Confirmation by email

After submission, you will receive a confirmation email at the address provided on the form. It will usually contain a reference number, which is essential for tracking your application or contacting the relevant services. Keep this number in a safe place.

📥 Steps to follow to manage your eTA application:

• Check your email regularly, including your spam folder, so you don't miss any communications.
• Use the reference number to check the status of your application.
• Wait at least 72 hours before worrying about a delay. Some applications may be subject to delayed processing, which is not a cause for concern.
• If additional documents are requested, follow the instructions carefully and respond within the processing time.
• Do not submit a new application until the current one has been processed, unless specifically instructed to do so.
• If you do not receive a response for an extended period of time, use the official contact form to contact the immigration services.

🛂 Once your eTA has been approved

You will receive a final confirmation by email. Your eTA is electronically linked to your passport, so there is no need to print a document. However, you may keep a PDF copy of the email for your records or present it at boarding if necessary.