The Canadian eTA was introduced in 2015 by Canadian immigration as a better way of organizing the assessment of visitors and determining their right to enter the country before they travel.
There are fifty countries whose citizens are exempt from a Canadian visa under this scheme, including Britain. This means British nationals can apply for an eTA for Canada instead of needing to obtain a Canadian Visa for British Citizens.
DO I NEED A VISA OR ETA TO TRAVEL TO CANADA FROM UK?
The Canada electronic travel authorization is issued by the government to British nationals who are entering Canada by air only. Those arriving in Canada by car, bus, train, or by boat (including on a cruise ship) cannot apply for an eTA, and must obtain a visitor visa at the embassy instead.
eTA-eligible British travelers flying into Canada are advised to apply before their departure date to Canada. The Canadian eTA is a multiple-entry authorization and it covers any connecting trips visitors might want to take during their current or following visits to Canada.
The Canada eTA for British citizens is intended for visitors who are traveling to Canada for the purposes of:
- Tourism, especially short tourist stays
- Business trips
- Transiting through Canada to an onward destination
- Medical treatment or consultation
British citizens who have received the eTA are able to transit through Canada without a visa, provided they are entering and leaving by air. Foreign nationals who do not qualify for the eTA will need a transit visa.
CANADA VISA REQUIREMENTS FROM THE UK
There are several requirements necessary in order to apply for the Canada eTA. All applicants must have:
- A British passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel
- A valid credit or debit card to pay the fee
- A current email address
The eTA is linked to the specific passport used in the application and cannot be transferred. Travelers who hold dual citizenship with the UK and another country must apply for the Canadian Visa for Australian Citizens for UK citizens using the same passport they will use to travel.
The eTA differs from the traditional visa in that applicants are permitted to enter Canada multiple times within the five-year period. Immigration officials will decide on arrival at the border for how long the eTA holder is allowed to remain in Canada, usually a stay of up to six months for each trip.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR A CANADIAN TOURIST VISA FOR BRITISH
British citizens eligible for the eTA need to complete the simple online application form and provide some basic personal details, including:
- Name
- Nationality
- Occupation
- Passport details, including passport number
- Passport issue date and expiry date
Prior to submitting their application online, travelers need to answer several security and health-related questions. It is a good idea to check all information provided on the form, as mistakes or inconsistencies can lead to the Canada eTA being delayed or rejected.
There is also an eTA fee that must be paid online using either debit card or credit card.
CANADA VISA FOR UK PASSPORT HOLDERS
Trips to Canada under the eTA may not last more than six months, and UK visitors are not allowed to stay beyond the allotted period. Travelers who wish to extend their stay in the country can apply for an ETA extension, provided they do so at least 30 days in advance.
British travelers need to have an electronic passport that is machine-readable since the eTA functions electronically. British passports issued in the last ten years should all be machine-readable, but travelers who are uncertain can check their documents by contacting the HM Passport Office in the UK.
It is necessary to be a full UK citizen in order to apply for the Canada eTA. Travelers who hold permanent British residence or another status such as refugees may need to apply for a Canadian visa unless they also hold a passport from another visa-exempt country.
ETA CANADA APPLICATION FOR BRITISH CITIZENS
Online application
Fill out the online eTA application form and upload documents in electronic formatAccess to ETA form
Pay eTA
Pay the eTA Canada fee with Credit or Debit Card
Receive ETA Canada
Receive Approved ETA by email
British nationals visiting Canada who have already finalized their travel plans must submit the eTA application at least 3 days before travel to allow time for their form to be processed and the eTA to be approved and sent.
UK citizens who urgently need an eTA to travel to Canada are able to take advantage of the new rush eTA processing option, which guarantees that the eTA will be processed within 60 minutes of submitting an application. To obtain a rush approval, applicants must select ‘Urgent guaranteed processing in less than 1 hour’ when paying the eTA fee.
The process for applying is fast and straightforward, and once approved the eTA will be delivered to the applicant via email safely and electronically. Provided you have an internet connection it is possible to apply for the eTA from anywhere in the world, using a desktop computer, tablet or mobile device.
The eTA Canada is automatically added to the applicant’s passport, so Canadian eTA is no need to print to show at the airport. The authorization is valid for a period of five years from the date of issue.Apply for Canada ETA from UK
EMBASSY REGISTRATION FOR BRITISH TRAVELERS
Travelers can now register to receive updates and information from the British Embassy in Canada. Using this service helps vistors keep up to date with all the latest travel news and advisories from the UK government.
Benefits:
- Enjoy additional peace of mind on a trip to Canada.
- Make planning a visit to Canada easier by receiving essential safety information and advice from the UK Government.
- Get traced quickly by the authorities in the exceptional case that there is a natural disaster in the country.
- Allow family and friends to get in contact fast in case an emergency occurs back home.
British passengers can register for this service when they apply for a Canada eTA via this website. All visitors need to do is select the British Embassy registration option on the payment page.
