eTA Canada for Children and Minors – Requirements & Application

If you are travelling to Canada with a child or baby, you may be wondering: do children need an eTA for Canada? In most cases, the answer is yes – every minor, including babies, must have their own Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to Canada. This guide explains step-by-step how to apply for a Canada eTA for a child or minor, where to get the Canada eTA form for children, the required documents, the official eTA Canada fee, and the validity period. Whether it’s an eTA for a baby, a toddler, or a teenager, you will find here all the essential information to complete the eTA application for your child and ensure full compliance with Canadian entry requirements for minors.

eTA Canada for minors: key points to remember

• Requirement: Yes, even babies and minors must have their own Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada by air.
• Application: The Canada eTA for children must be applied for online by a parent or legal guardian via the official Canadian government website or an assisted service provider.
• Form and information: The Canada eTA form for children requires the child's personal details, passport information and answers to security and health questions.
• Validity: A Canada eTA for children is valid for 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
• Fee: The official cost is CAD 7, payable online by credit card, to which service fees may be added depending on the provider.

🛫 Do I need an eTA for a child or baby travelling to Canada?

Yes ✅ — in most cases, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is required for all travellers entering Canada by air, including children and babies.

The eTA is an electronic passport requirement. It does not replace a visa but is required for citizens of visa-exempt countries (France, Belgium, Switzerland, etc.). Even if your child is not travelling alone, they must have their own authorization.

📌 Who should apply for an eTA for a child?

• 👨‍👩‍👧 A parent or legal guardian must complete the application on behalf of the child.
• The child cannot apply on their own, even if they are a teenager.
• The form can be completed online, directly on the official Canadian government website or through a private provider.

📄 Information required for a Canadian eTA application for a child

When applying, you will need to provide:

• Valid passport for the child (biometric or electronic recommended).
• Personal details: full name, date of birth, gender, country of citizenship.
• Answers to questions about health, criminal history and previous travel.
• Online payment: credit or debit card.

⏳ Validity period of the eTA for a child

• ✅ 5 years from the date of approval
• ⌛ Or until the child's passport expires (if it expires first)
• 💡 If the passport changes or expires, a new eTA is required

💰 Canada eTA fee for a child

• Official cost: CAD 7 💵
• Online payment only
• Additional fees may apply if you use an intermediary

🚨 Important points to remember

• Even a baby a few months old must have their own eTA.
• The eTA is linked to the passport: if the child changes their passport, the eTA becomes invalid.
• The eTA is required only for air travel. It is not necessary for travel by land or sea.

📍 In summary: If you are travelling to Canada with a child, remember to apply for their eTA at the same time as yours. This will avoid delays at boarding and ensure a stress-free journey.

How to Apply for a Canada eTA for Minors?

Filling out a Canada eTA application for a minor child is an essential step before any trip to Canada ✈️. Even babies and young children must have their own Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). This document, linked to the passport, is required for all travellers arriving by air from a visa-exempt country, such as France, Belgium or Switzerland.

The application must always be made by a parent or legal guardian. It can only be completed online, either on the official Canadian government website or through a private provider. Before you begin, check that the child's passport is valid for the entire duration of the stay. If it is due to expire soon, it is recommended that you renew it before submitting the application.

The Canada eTA form for children requires several specific pieces of information:

• Full name as it appears on the passport
• Date of birth and gender of the child
• Country of citizenship
• Passport number and expiry date
• Answers to questions about health, criminal history and previous refusals of entry to another country

All information must be accurate ✅. A simple mistake can result in rejection and require you to start the process again.

Once the form has been completed, 💳 payment is made online. The eTA Canada fee for a child is CAD 7. If the application is made through a service provider, additional fees may apply. Payment is accepted by credit or debit card. The application is only processed after payment has been validated.

In most cases, the Canada eTA for children is approved within a few minutes. However, the authorities may request additional documents, which may extend the processing time. It is therefore advisable to submit the application several days or even weeks before departure.

Once approved, the eTA is sent by email to the address provided on the form. You do not need to print it, as it is electronically linked to the child's passport. However, it is always a good idea to keep a copy of the confirmation.

By following these steps 📌, you can ensure that your child's trip to Canada is stress-free and compliant with all regulations. A correctly completed form, a valid passport and a timely application are the keys to a smooth boarding process and a wonderful stay in Canada  for your child 🍁

Travelling alone with a child to Canada: Specific rules

Travelling alone with a child to Canada requires special attention to entry rules and required documents. Canadian authorities apply strict measures to prevent international child abduction and protect minors. Therefore, if a child is travelling with only one parent or with another adult who does not have parental authority, it is essential to prepare complete documentation before departure.

One of the most important factors is the letter of consent ✍️. This document, written and signed by the absent parent or legal guardian, explicitly authorizes the child to travel to Canada with the accompanying adult. The letter must include:

• The full names and contact details of the absent parent(s)
• The child's identity and passport information
• Travel details (dates, locations, flight number)
• Contact details of the accompanying person

Ideally, this letter should be written in French or English and signed before a notary or competent authority to avoid any disputes.

In addition to this letter, the child must have a valid passport 📘 and, if necessary, an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA Canada) or a visa depending on their nationality. Even babies and minors must have their own eTA if they are arriving by air and are citizens of a visa-exempt country. The Canada eTA form for children must be completed online by a parent or legal guardian, providing passport information and paying the fees.

If the child is travelling alone (without a parent or guardian), the airline may require an unaccompanied minor service. This service supervises the child from boarding to arrival and ensures that they are handed over only to the designated person. Conditions vary depending on the airline and the age of the child. It is therefore essential to check the rules at the time of booking.

Upon arrival in Canada, a Border Services Agency officer may ask the child or accompanying adult questions to verify the relationship with the parent(s). Presenting a letter of consent and identity documents greatly facilitates border crossing and reduces the risk of being refused entry.

In summary, travelling alone with a child to Canada requires careful preparation. Passport, eTA, letter of consent and supporting documents must be ready before departure. Good planning will ensure compliance with Canadian regulations, save time at border controls and ensure a stress-free journey in the best possible conditions for the child.

📌 Special cases: Children under 2 years of age, dual nationality, adoption

Some trips with minor children require specific requirements. Depending on the child's profile, the documents to be prepared and the rules for entry into Canada may vary.

👶 Children under 2 years of age

• Often reduced or free fare if the child is travelling on a parent's lap
• A ticket in the child's name is required even if the child is travelling free of charge
• Check the baggage policy and whether a cabin cot needs to be booked
• Passport required, sometimes with birth certificate to prove family relationship
• In most cases, a Canada eTA is required for a baby if required by nationality and if entering by air

🌍 Children with dual nationality

• If the child is a Canadian citizen, they must enter and leave Canada with a Canadian passport
• It is not possible to use another passport with an eTA to enter Canada
• If travelling with their second nationality, the same rules apply as for any other foreign national

📄 Adopted children or children in the process of adoption

• Present legal documents proving adoption or guardianship (translated into French or English if necessary)
• Border officials may verify that the adoptive parent is authorized to travel with the child
• If the adoption is not final, a visa or temporary residence permit may be required instead of an eTA

💡 Practical tips

• Always check the airline's conditions before booking
• Prepare all supporting documents proving the parental or legal relationship
• Anticipate requests for additional documents at border controls

By anticipating these situations, you will avoid unpleasant surprises when boarding or arriving. Careful preparation will ensure a smooth journey that complies with Canadian requirements, whether the child is a few months old, several years old or has a special administrative status.