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Get help with an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Answer a few questions to get information before you apply, or to get help if you encounter issues during or after you apply for an eTA.

Before I apply, I want to find out more about eTA

Do I need an eTA?

To find out if you need an eTA, use the find out if you need an eTA or a visa tool to quickly confirm if you need an eTA.

Find other answers to questions about eligibility for eTA:

See all eTA questions in the Help Centre.

Can I use a U.S. travel document like an ESTA, U.S. visa or a Green Card, to travel to Canada?

It depends on your situation, the document and the method of travel you plan to use.

See these answers to questions about U.S. travel documents:

See all eTA questions in the Help Centre.

What document(s) can I use to travel to Canada if I am a dual Canadian citizen?

See these answers to questions about dual citizenship:

See also Canadian Passports.

How do I apply on behalf of someone (child, family member, other)?

To apply for someone such as your child, friend or client, use the same eTA application form as you would for yourself. At the start of the form, you must answer yes to the question “Are you applying on behalf of someone?” Then you will be asked to:

Find other answers to questions about applying for someone else:

See all eTA questions in the Help Centre.

See also use of a representative.

Other

Other popular questions about applying for an eTA:

See all eTA questions in the Help Centre.

Phone option

1-800-O-Canada: ask your eTA questions from outside of Canada. Service is provided in English and French, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

In person option

Visa Application Centres (VACs): if you do not have Internet access or need to scan documents, VACs can help. Review the country list for the location closest to you.

I am trying to use the eTA application form but there is a problem

I get a failure message when I try to pay

For problems paying for an eTA, complete this enquiry form.

Note: if you apply for an eTA at an airport, and your eTA is not approved in time for you to check-in for your flight, you will need to reschedule your flight.

Find other answers to questions about paying for an eTA:

See all eTA questions in the Help Centre.

I receive an error or time out message when I use the form

The eTA application is time-sensitive and will time out after a period of inactivity. To avoid experiencing issues, make sure all your documents are ready before you start filling out your application. If after trying again, you still encounter error or time out messages, complete this enquiry form.

Note: if you apply for an eTA at an airport, and your eTA is not approved in time for you to check-in for your flight, you will need to reschedule your flight.

Find other answers to questions about applying for an eTA:

See all eTA questions in the Help Centre.

I want to know how to save or recover the data I entered on the form

You cannot save or recover data you enter on the eTA application form. The eTA application is time-sensitive and will time out after a period of inactivity. To avoid experiencing issues, make sure all your documents are ready before you start filling out your application.

Other answers to questions about saving or recovering data:

See all eTA questions in the Help Centre.

I need help in languages other than English or French

The eTA application form is available in English and French only. To help you fill out the eTA application, these guides describe in detail each field of the form:

Other

For technical or other issues when using the eTA application form, complete this enquiry form.

Note: if you apply for an eTA at an airport, and your eTA is not approved in time for you to check-in for your flight, you will need to reschedule your flight.

Find other answers to questions about applying for an eTA:

See all eTA questions in the Help Centre.

I have already applied and paid for an eTA, but I have a question

Will I receive emails from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) about my application?

In most cases, applicants will receive a confirmation from IRCC within minutes. However, some applications may need several days to process. If this is the case for your application, you can expect an email from IRCC within 72 hours that tells you what your next steps are.

Make sure to check the junk mail folder of the email address you provided on your eTA application form. Some spam filters may block automated emails from IRCC. Check the folder regularly as emails may at times be moved from your inbox to the junk mail folder.

If you received an email confirmation, you can use the check your eTA status tool to follow the progress of your application. To do so, you will need:

Other answers to questions about receiving communication regarding your application:

See all eTA questions in the Help Centre.

If you did not get any correspondence from IRCC within 72 hours

Complete this enquiry form.

Note: if you apply for an eTA at an airport, and your eTA is not approved in time for you to check-in for your flight, you will need to reschedule your flight.

How do I upload a document in my IRCC account?

If Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) asks you to submit documents to process your eTA application, follow these steps.

Note: Get your requested document(s) as soon as possible. Some of them could take you a while to get. Remember that your document(s) must be in English or French, or be accompanied by a certified translation. If you don’t submit the requested document(s) by the deadline given to you, your eTA could be refused.

Other answers to questions about submitting documents:

If you still cannot upload documents in your IRCC account

Complete this enquiry form.

Note: if you apply for an eTA at an airport, and your eTA is not approved in time for you to check-in for your flight, you will need to reschedule your flight.

What is the status of my application?

To check the status of your eTA, use the eTA Check Status tool. With the tool, you can get an online update on your pending application, as well as the expiration date or the status of an existing eTA.

Find other answers to questions about eTA application status:

See all eTA questions in the Help Centre.

If you get an error with the eTA Check Status tool

Complete this enquiry form if it has been more than 72 hours since you applied.

Note: if you apply for an eTA at an airport, and your eTA is not approved in time for you to check-in for your flight, you will need to reschedule your flight.

Other

Other popular questions about eTA:

See all eTA questions in the Help Centre.

Still need help?

If you did not find the answer to your question in the Help Centre and still have a question about the eTA application you submitted:

Email option

Complete this enquiry form.

Note: if you apply for an eTA at an airport, and your eTA is not approved in time for you to check-in for your flight, you will need to reschedule your flight.

Phone option

1-800-O-Canada: ask your eTA questions from locations outside of Canada. Service is provided in English and French, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

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