Canada eTA for Transit or a Layover: Do You Need One?

Not traveling to Canada, but just making a layover or connecting flight there on your way to another country? An eTA may still be required — a point that’s often overlooked.

Why an eTA is needed even in transit

The eTA applies not only to travelers whose final destination is Canada, but generally to all visa-exempt individuals flying through a Canadian airport — even if they never leave the secure area. For example, someone flying from Europe to the United States or Asia via Toronto or Vancouver generally also needs a valid eTA.

Exceptions for transit

There are specific transit programs (for example for certain connections via Vancouver) where different rules may apply under strict conditions. Since these exceptions vary by airline and airport, we recommend applying for an eTA as a precaution if in doubt — it’s valid for up to 5 years anyway, so it can also be used for future trips.

What if I transit through Canada multiple times?

Once approved, the eTA remains valid for its entire validity period (up to 5 years) and can be used for an unlimited number of trips — including multiple connections through Canada.

A concrete example

A French traveler flies from Paris to Vancouver, then continues on to Tokyo, without officially having Canada as her destination. Since the flight passes through a Canadian airport, she needs a valid eTA for this connection.

Apply for your eTA now for your transit trip

Better safe than sorry: apply for your eTA here before transiting through a Canadian airport.