Is eTA Canada Free? Official Site and CAD $7 Fee (2026)

Quick answer

Canada eTA is not free. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada charges CAD $7 through the official Canada.ca application.

The eTA is electronic. After approval, compare the passport number in the email with the passport photo page. A wrong number means applying again and paying another CAD $7.

Who needs an eTA

Visa-exempt foreign nationals generally need an eTA when they fly to Canada or connect through a Canadian airport. Some citizens of selected visa-required countries can qualify under separate conditions. Use the official eligibility checker for your passport and travel history.

An eTA is a travel authorization, not a visitor visa. Approval lets you board an eligible flight but does not guarantee admission at the Canadian border.

No eTA for car, bus, train, or cruise arrival

This is the rule commercial application pages often hide: an eTA is normally required only for air travel.

You do not need an eTA to enter Canada by:

• private car or rental car;
• bus;
• train; or
• cruise ship.

Canada lists a narrow sea exception for certain travel from Saint Pierre and Miquelon other than by cruise ship. If that unusual route applies to you, check the official eligibility page instead of relying on the general sea rule.

U.S. citizens and U.S. green card holders

U.S. citizens do not need an eTA. They travel with the documents Canada requires for their trip.

U.S. lawful permanent residents have not needed an eTA since April 26, 2022. When flying, carry a valid passport or equivalent travel document plus a valid green card or another document IRCC accepts as proof of U.S. permanent resident status.

Validity and multiple entries

An eTA can remain valid for up to 5 years or until the linked passport expires, whichever comes first. It can cover multiple trips during that period.

The authorization is tied to one passport number. Renewing or replacing the passport means applying for a new eTA before the next eligible flight.

When to apply

Apply before booking or boarding your flight. IRCC says most approvals arrive within minutes, but some applications trigger a document request and take longer. Use an email address you control and do not leave the application until airport check-in.

Why search results show higher prices

Commercial sites sell form review or submission help. Prices observed on July 14, 2026 included USD $89.99 or more at iVisa and a USD $99 final price at canadavisas.net, including a stated USD $93 service fee.

The official IRCC price is CAD $7. Paying more does not change the eTA validity, create a land-entry requirement, or improve the border decision.

Before entering passport or card details, check the address bar. The official application is on canada.ca.