Apply for Canada Visa: How to Get Your eTA for Entry

German, Austrian, and Swiss citizens need an eTA Canada (Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter Canada.

The Canada visa application can only be submitted online through the official website of the Canadian government.

The cost for an eTA is 7 CAD (approximately 5 USD). The authorization is valid for 5 years or until your passport expires.

With an eTA, you can stay in Canada for up to 6 months on each entry.

A valid eTA is also required for transit flights through Canada.

Each person, including children, needs their own eTA.

You can apply for your eTA Canada exclusively on the official website of the Canadian government: Apply for eTA Canada (official site)

For assistance in filling out the form, there is an official guide in German (PDF from Canada.ca) explaining all form fields: eTA Canada Guide in German (PDF)

Important notes from the official guide:

The application and payment are valid for one person only - children also need their own eTA.

Confirmation usually occurs within a few minutes but can take up to 72 hours.

Your eTA is electronically linked to your passport - the confirmation email is for informational purposes only.

Make sure your passport number is entered correctly. Errors will prevent you from flying.

For most travelers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, applying for an eTA Canada is sufficient. This electronic travel authorization is mandatory for anyone entering Canada by airplane or stopping there. With an eTA, you can stay in the country for up to 6 months - whether it's for vacation, business trips, or a transit.

A regular visa for Canada is only required in special cases:

if you plan to stay longer than 6 months,

if you want to work or study in Canada,

if you are not a citizen of a visa-exempt country.

It is also important to note: The eTA is only valid for entry into Canada by airplane. If you are entering from the USA by land or on a cruise ship, you do not need an eTA. In these cases, a passport is sufficient.

This makes it clear: For all tourist travels and short stays, you can simply apply for the eTA online. Only if you need a longer visa or a special residency permit must you contact the Canadian embassy.

To apply for an eTA Canada, certain conditions must be met. The most important requirements are:

Citizenship: You must be a citizen of a visa-exempt country. This includes Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. A complete list can be found on the official Canada.ca website.

Valid Passport: Your passport must be biometric and remain valid until the end of your planned trip. The eTA is directly linked to the passport number.

Payment Method: You need a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or debit card) for the fee of 7 CAD. PayPal is not accepted.

Email Address: The confirmation of your eTA will only be sent via email. Make sure you provide a valid address and also check your spam folder.

Purpose of Entry: An eTA is only valid for tourist visits, business trips, family visits, or transit. If you plan to work or study in Canada, you need a different visa.

You must check these requirements in advance to avoid any delays in the application process. It is especially important that your passport number is entered exactly correctly - even small typos can prevent you from boarding the plane.

Applying for eTA Canada is simple and takes only a few minutes. Have all your documents ready, as the form cannot be saved in progress.

Go to the Canadian government's website: Apply for eTA Canada (official site). Then, indicate whether you are applying for eTA for yourself or someone else.

You need a valid biometric passport from a visa-exempt country (Germany, Austria, or Switzerland).

Enter your personal information, passport details, and travel plans. Pay close attention to the spelling of your passport number (common mistakes: confusing 0 and O or I and 1).

This includes questions about previous visas, health issues, and criminal records. Answer these truthfully. The information about your occupation is for statistical purposes. I also had to research online to find the description that applies to me. But: It's not important; the main thing is that you indicate which group you belong to.

The fee is 7 CAD (approximately 5 USD) and can be paid with a credit or debit card. PayPal is not an option. I was even able to pay with my American Express credit card.

In most cases, you will receive the approval within minutes; sometimes it can take up to 72 hours. For me, it was more like seconds. Make sure to check your data. Verify that the passport number in your confirmation email is correct. If there's an error, you must submit a new application.

Even though everyone says that the eTA is linked to your passport: After your approval, print out the form immediately or save it as a PDF. Later, it won't be possible.

Tip: If you find English or French in the form difficult, you can use the official German guide as a PDF.

Applying for an eTA Canada is not only straightforward but also inexpensive. Here are the key facts:

Costs: The fee is 7 CAD, which is approximately 5 USD. Payment is made online using credit or debit cards. Other payment methods such as PayPal are not accepted.

Processing Time: In most cases, you will receive confirmation within a few minutes via email. However, in individual cases, it can take up to 72 hours. Therefore, you should apply for your eTA well in advance of your departure. My confirmation came within seconds.

Validity: An approved eTA is valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires - whichever comes first.

Duration of Stay: On each entry into Canada, you may stay in the country for a maximum of 6 months.

Multiple Entries: With a valid eTA, you can enter Canada as many times as you like within the validity period.

Important: Your eTA is electronically linked to your passport. If you get a new passport, you must also apply for a new eTA, even if your old one is still valid.

Even though the application for eTA Canada seems simple, there are typical errors that can lead to problems with approval or even denial of entry. Therefore, pay special attention to the following points:

Incorrect Passport Number: The most common mistake is entering an incorrect or incomplete passport number. Do not confuse the number '0' with the letter 'O' or the number '1' with the letter 'I'. Even a small typo makes your eTA invalid.

Incorrect Personal Information: Name, date of birth, and nationality must be entered exactly as they appear in your passport. Deviations will result in your eTA not being recognized.

Application through Third Parties: Many websites offer the eTA at inflated prices. Always apply only through the official government website; otherwise, you may end up paying three to four times the amount.

Applied Too Late: Even though approval usually occurs within minutes (or seconds), it can take up to 72 hours. Apply for your eTA in a timely manner, ideally right after booking your flight.

Incorrect Information on Background Questions: Questions about previous visa denials, health, or entry bans must be answered truthfully. False information can lead to denial.

Incorrect Email Address: Since the confirmation is sent via email only, an incorrect address will mean you do not receive your eTA.

My tip: Double-check all entries before submitting the application. Mistakes cannot be corrected afterward - you would need to submit a new application and pay again.

The eTA Canada is your requirement for entry but does not replace the border control at the airport. There, an officer from the Canadian border authority will decide whether you are allowed to enter the country.

Here's how it usually goes:

Have your documents ready: You must show your valid passport and, if necessary, proof of the purpose of your trip (e.g., return ticket or hotel booking). You do not need to print out the eTA itself - it is electronically linked to your passport.

Questions from the Border Officer: It is normal to be briefly asked about your travel plans. For example, how long you are staying, where you will be staying, and whether you have sufficient financial resources.

Final Decision: The eTA is not a guarantee for admission. The border officer makes the final decision. If your information is plausible and your documents are complete, there are usually no problems.

Duration of Stay: Your passport will be marked with how long you are allowed to stay. Usually, it's up to 6 months per entry.

Tip: Be honest, precise, and friendly in your answers. Unclear or contradictory information can lead to unnecessary delays.

Even though the application for eTA Canada generally goes smoothly, it can happen that your application is denied or delayed. The most common reasons are:

Incomplete or Incorrect Information: Even small errors in your passport number, name, or personal details can lead to a denial.

Incorrect or Incomplete Answers on Background Questions: If you hide previous visa denials, criminal convictions, or health issues, your eTA will most likely be denied.

Security Concerns or Health Reasons: Canada may refuse entry if there are risks to public safety or health.

Applying for a Regular Visa: A denial of the eTA does not automatically mean that you cannot travel to Canada. In this case, you must apply for a regular visa at the Canadian embassy or a Visa Application Centre.

Check the Reasons: Read the message in the email carefully. You will find clues as to why your application was denied.

No Possibility for 'Correction': A once denied eTA cannot be changed. You will need to submit a new application or an alternative visa.

If additional documents are required, the Canadian immigration authority will inform you via email. Therefore, regularly check your inbox and spam folder.

My advice: Do not apply for your eTA at the last minute. This way, you have enough time in case of a delay or denial to apply for a visa in time and not jeopardize your travel plans.

In some situations, the regular eTA Canada is not sufficient. Depending on the purpose or type of travel, specific regulations apply:

Even if you are only using Canada as a stopover, for example, on flights to Mexico or the USA, you will need a valid eTA. Without this authorization, you cannot board the airplane, even if you do not leave the transit area of the airport.

For children and teenagers, a separate eTA application must be submitted for each. Infants also require their own authorization linked to their passport. A single application for the whole family at once is not possible - each traveler must be entered individually.

The eTA is only valid for tourist stays, business trips, or transit. If you want to study in Canada, do an internship, work as an au pair, or take a job, you will need a separate visa or work permit. The eTA alone is not sufficient in these cases.

The eTA is always tied to the passport number. If you receive a new passport, you must also apply for a new eTA - even if your current one is still valid.

My tip: Clarify exactly what type of authorization you need before your trip. Allow enough time for the application process, especially if you need to apply for a student or work visa.

Applying for an eTA Canada is straightforward, inexpensive, and can be completed quickly. I didn't need more than 10 minutes for it. The confirmation arrived within seconds after the application via email.

It is important that you carefully check your entries in the application, especially the passport number. Errors lead to your eTA being invalid, and you won't be allowed to board the plane. It's best to apply for your eTA right after booking your flight to allow sufficient time for processing.