What's the Difference Between an eTA and a Visitor Visa?
An eTA (electronic travel authorization) is a quick online authorization that visa-exempt travellers need to fly to or through Canada. It costs $7, is usually approved in minutes, and lasts up to 5 years or until your passport expires. A visitor visa is for travellers from visa-required countries; it's a fuller application with a higher fee, and it's needed whether you arrive by air or land. Citizens of 15 visa-required countries may qualify for an eTA instead if they meet extra conditions.
eTA vs visitor visa at a glance
| eTA | Visitor visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Who needs it | Visa-exempt citizens | Citizens of visa-required countries |
| When | Only when flying to or through a Canadian airport | Any way you travel: air, land or sea |
| Fee | $7 | $100 per person (family maximum $500), plus biometrics |
| How | Short online form | Online application with documents and biometrics |
| Processing | Usually minutes; sometimes up to 72 hours for a request | Varies by country |
| Validity | Up to 5 years or until passport expires | Up to the date on the visa |
Who doesn't need either
- U.S. citizens don't need an eTA or a visitor visa.
- U.S. lawful permanent residents with valid U.S. status are exempt from the eTA.
- Visa-exempt travellers arriving by car, bus, train or boat don't need an eTA.
The expanded eTA for some visa-required countries
Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, the Philippines, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and Uruguay can apply for an eTA instead of a visa if all three apply:
- You're flying to or through a Canadian airport.
- You're coming for a temporary stay (normally up to 6 months).
- You've held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years, or you hold a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa.
Otherwise, or if you're arriving by land or sea, you need a visitor visa. Mexican citizens have specific rules; check IRCC before booking.
How to apply for an eTA
- Have your passport, a valid email and a payment card ready.
- Apply on IRCC's official eTA page and pay the $7 fee.
- Check your email: most approvals arrive in minutes. If IRCC needs documents, you'll get instructions within 72 hours.
- Travel with the same passport you used to apply.
Common mistakes we see
- Using unofficial websites that charge much more than $7.
- Applying with an old passport. Your eTA is linked to one passport.
- Assuming an eTA works at a land border. If you need a visa, an eTA won't help.
- Leaving it to the airport. Apply before you book.
Every situation is different. GLC Immigration Consulting can help in three ways:
- Consultation: a one-on-one session with Osaro Ezomo, RCIC, to review your situation and your options.
- Full representation: we prepare and submit your application and act as your authorized representative with IRCC, from start to finish.
- Pre-submission review: you prepare your own application, and we review it for errors, gaps and risks before you submit.
To request full representation or a pre-submission review, or for any other question, email us at hello@gradlifecanada.ca.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an eTA and a visitor visa?
An eTA is a $7 online authorization for visa-exempt travellers flying to Canada. A visitor visa is required for citizens of visa-required countries, however they travel.
Do I need an eTA if I drive into Canada?
No. Visa-exempt travellers arriving by car, bus, train or boat don't need an eTA.
How much does an eTA cost?
CAD $7.
How long is an eTA valid?
Up to 5 years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Can citizens of visa-required countries get an eTA?
Citizens of 15 listed countries can, if they're flying, coming for a temporary stay, and have held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or hold a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa.
Fact-checked: Based on IRCC's Find out about eTA, eTA: How to apply (August 28, 2026) and eTA for citizens of some visa-required countries (October 30, 2026). Visitor visa fee from IRCC's fee list. Verified November 6, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules change often. For advice on your situation, speak with a licensed immigration professional.
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), licence #R711785. Osaro is the principal consultant at GLC Immigration Consulting in Calgary, Alberta, helping clients with Express Entry, provincial nomination, work and study permits and family sponsorship.
Book a consultation · hello@gradlifecanada.ca