eTA or Visa for Canada? The Difference Explained Simply

“Do I need a visa for Canada, or is the eTA enough?” — many travelers ask this question. Both documents allow entry into Canada, but they differ fundamentally in process, cost, and target audience.

The eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)

The eTA is for citizens of visa-exempt countries (for example France, Belgium, Switzerland) and applies exclusively to entry by air. The application is done entirely online, the official fee is CAD 7, and most applications are approved within minutes. The eTA is valid for up to 5 years.

The Visitor Visa (TRV)

A visitor visa is required for citizens of countries that are not visa-exempt. It involves a more thorough review by Canadian authorities, often including biometric data, and the processing time is significantly longer (several weeks to several months). A visitor visa is also required if an eTA has been refused, or if entry is by land or sea while still subject to an authorization requirement.

Direct comparison

Criterion	eTA	Visitor Visa
Target audience	Visa-exempt countries	Visa-required countries
Entry method	Air only	Air, land, and sea
Official cost	CAD 7	Higher, variable
Processing time	Usually a few minutes	Several weeks to several months
Validity	Up to 5 years	Variable

Which document do I need?

The simplest way is to check your nationality and travel date. As a general rule: anyone from an EU country, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, or another visa-exempt country, traveling by air, generally only needs the eTA.

Apply for your eTA now

If the eTA applies to your situation, you can apply here with personalized support.