Planning a trip to Canada? Before you book your flight, ensure you have the necessary travel authorization. For many nationalities, this means obtaining an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), a simple, affordable, and mostly online process.

The Canadian government’s eTA system allows eligible travelers to obtain authorization to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. The application itself costs a mere CAN$7 and requires only a valid passport, a credit or debit card, an email address, and answers to a few simple questions. The entire application process is designed to be quick and easy, so you can focus on planning the exciting aspects of your Canadian adventure.

Keep in mind that the Government of Canada’s online system will undergo maintenance from 12:00 am to 5:30 am ET on January 14, 2025. During this period, the eTA application form will be unavailable. Please plan accordingly and return after 5:30 am ET on January 14 to submit your application. The website supports several languages including Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Bulgarian, English, Spanish, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, and Thai.

After submitting your application, you can track its status online. If further information is required, you’ll be contacted. Remember, obtaining an eTA doesn’t guarantee entry into Canada; you still need to meet all other entry requirements. This includes having a valid passport (separate from your eTA application). While the eTA is essential for air travel, it’s crucial to distinguish it from a passport, which is a completely separate travel document needed for international travel. Before booking flights, make sure to apply for your eTA early to avoid any last-minute delays.