With the exact regex the official site enforces, the error message it returns, and what you probably did wrong. Pre-check your values in the eTA page's local validator before pasting.
Use the number at the top of the passport photo page. Do not use the number on the first page or the machine-readable line at the bottom.
^[A-Z0-9]{1,20}$
max 20Enter all family names from the passport. Use the lower machine-readable line to confirm order and the upper text for any full spelling.
Enter every given name. Keep passport apostrophes, hyphens, and French accents, but do not add a title or a spouse's name unless it is part of the machine-readable name.
Match the passport date. This local checker uses YYYY-MM-DD; use the official form's date controls when applying.
Use the birth country shown on the passport and the city, town, or village requested by the form.
Choose the current legal status using IRCC's listed definitions. Common-law means living in a marriage-like relationship continuously for at least one year.
Choose the closest occupation. Add the job title and employer or school details when the form asks for them.
Use an inbox you control. A parent applying for a minor may use the parent's email address.
Enter the permanent home address. Do not use a temporary address or post office box, and do not abbreviate a street type when the full name is available.
If you know the date, enter the planned travel date and any confirmed departure time requested. Select No when the date is not known.
Answer each immigration, criminal, tuberculosis, and listed health question separately. Give full dates, places, reasons, offences, and sentences for every Yes answer.
The official site shows a confirmation on screen. Screenshot it — that's your backup.
Within a few minutes from a canada.ca address, with the record details.
Keep the approval email and eTA number, then confirm that its passport number matches your passport exactly. The eTA is electronic and does not guarantee entry.
Screenshot is fine. PDF is fine. Even the email app open on your phone is fine.
Rare. Officer looks you up by passport number — your record is already in the system.
First check whether your route requires an eTA. It is normally for flying to Canada or connecting through a Canadian airport. Arrival by car, bus, train, or cruise ship does not require one. U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents are also exempt; green card holders flying to Canada carry a valid passport plus a valid green card or other accepted proof of U.S. status.
If you do need an eTA, use the passport you will carry on the flight. The official fee is CAD $7, and an approved eTA can remain valid for up to 5 years or until that passport expires.
The checker below covers the 11 field groups in data/rules/canada.json. It runs in your browser and sends nothing to us. The live IRCC form controls the final questions and option lists.
Names accept the Roman-script spelling used by the official form, including French accents. Passport numbers use letters and numbers only in this local checker. IRCC says most passport numbers contain 8 to 11 characters, but this checker allows 1 to 20 because that is not a universal passport limit.
Type your details below. We never send them anywhere. This runs 100% in your browser. View source to verify.
Confirm that the application is on canada.ca and the charge is CAD $7. iVisa advertised prices from USD $89.99, while canadavisas.net displayed a USD $99 final price on July 14, 2026. Those totals include commercial help, not a higher IRCC fee.
Use an email address you control. IRCC sends the decision and any document request there. After approval, compare the passport number in the email with the passport photo page. If they differ, IRCC requires a new application.
The eTA supports multiple trips but remains linked to the application passport. A replacement passport requires a new eTA.
If you still need coverage for the trip, these links support entrycardguide without changing the price you pay.
Affiliate disclosure: if you buy through one of these links, we may earn a commission. We never accept money from visa middlemen, form-filing services, or companies that compete with the official government forms we point to.