Modeled after the ESTA for travel to the United States, the ESTA Canada is an electronic authorization allowing certain travelers to stay in or transit through Canada. This permission came about in 2016 and helps to strengthen the country’s security measures as well as that of travelers. From now on, discover this document which allows you to travel easily to the land of the caribou and to discover the magnificent cities and provinces of Vancouver, Ontario, Toronto, Quebec, Nova Scotia, etc. Between the Indian summer, the immensity of the landscapes, the maple syrup and the northern lights, this country will leave you with unforgettable memories. Destination Canada!
Restrictions on entry into Canada due to COVID-19
The health crisis that began in 2020 with the appearance of COVID 19 has led to the closure of the borders of all countries in the world. Like the United States, Canada has closed the country to foreign travelers since March 2020. Canada has decided to reopen its territory to foreigners since November 30, 2021. The criteria for entry into Canada for foreigners have been strengthened, and it is now necessary to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter Canada.
What you need to know about the ESTA Canada
ESTA Canada is not the official name for the authorization to travel to Canada. Its name is EV Canada for Electronic Travel Authorization. It allows travelers to stay in Canada without first applying for a Canadian visa.
Who can benefit from the Canadian visa exemption?
The Canada Visa Waiver is not available to all travelers. Several conditions must be met in order to apply for a permit.
First of all, it is compulsory to be a national of one of the member countries of this scheme: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Solomon Islands, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the Vatican.
As you can see, English nationals are exempt from the tourist visa requirement and are therefore entitled to apply for an ESTA Canada.
The second condition imposed is the mode of transportation: only travel to Canada by air is eligible for Canadian travel authorization.
The third condition refers to the reason for the stay in Canada. The traveller must not have the intention of settling or working in Canada. In order to enter Canada with an eTA, you must want to stay temporarily.
Of course, a valid passport is required, whether it is an electronic passport or a biometric passport.
How much does ESTA Canada cost?
The Canadian ESTA is less expensive than the USA ESTA. The cost is $7 CAD (Canadian dollar) for an application made on the Canadian government website and slightly more if you wish to be assisted in your process, i.e. by empowering a private service provider to make the application for you. We will see the different control platforms later in this text.
How long can I travel to Canada with an eTA?
The duration authorized on the Canadian territory with the AVE authorization is not identical to that of an ESTA for a stay in the USA: it is 6 consecutive months for an AVE Canada against 90 days for the ESTA.
How long is the travel authorization valid for?
The validity period of the AVE is also longer than that of an ESTA USA. It is valid for 5 years, starting from the reception of the agreement from the Canadian authorities. Several stays in Canada are therefore possible without having to make a new ESTA Canada application.
Please note that if you have lost your passport or if it has expired, you must renew your ESTA Canada application with your new passport before leaving again, because the authorization and the passport go together.
How to obtain an eTA for a trip to Canada?
If you meet the eligibility criteria for the AVE application, it is now time to explain how to obtain it as soon as possible so that you can discover Canada.
You do not need to go to the Canadian embassy or contact the consular authorities. All you have to do is apply online via an ESTA Canada form. To complete the form, you must provide your personal information and that of other travelers accompanying you. Also bring your electronic or biometric passport and a payment card.
Obtaining an eTA on the official website of the Canadian government
You can also use the official Government of Canada website. On this site, you will not have access to support. To obtain your ESTA Canada authorization, simply fill out the online form available on the site. In order to validate your request, you must bring your credit card and pay the requested amount.
How long will it take to receive an eTA?
Whether you order on the Canadian government website or on a specialized website, you will receive approval from the authorities within a few days. Be sure to provide the correct email address as the response will be sent to you by email. The first e-mail is your acknowledgement of receipt, the second is the response to your eTA request.
What to do if the ESTA Canada is refused?
The refusal of an ESTA Canada by Immigration Canada remains a rare but not impossible situation. If you notice a problem on your form, you can contact the Canadian authorities as soon as possible via a form in order to rectify the typos. If a change is no longer possible, a new request can be made.
After a final refusal, you still have to apply for a visa at the Canadian embassy or consulate. To go to Canada, there are several visas that allow you to study abroad, to live in Canada or to do a tourist stay. Check with the Canadian Embassy for more information. If you are between 18 and 35 years old, consider the WHP (Working Holiday Permit), which is a work permit that allows you to earn a living while visiting Canada.
In any case, the cities of Canada will fascinate you. We wish you a good trip!
Good to know: if you want to take advantage of this opportunity to travel to the USA by plane, don’t forget to apply for ESTA online, not at the American embassy. To go to the United States of America, you must have a valid passport, be on a tourist or business trip and stay for a maximum of 90 days on American soil.