Canada eTA: who needs one, what it costs and how to apply

Before flying to Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver, a French traveller needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), called AVE in French. It is not a visa: it is a pre-authorisation linked to your passport, which the airline checks before boarding.

Who needs an eTA?

Nationals of visa-exempt countries, including France, need an eTA to fly to Canada or transit through a Canadian airport. This applies to tourism, business trips and simple connections alike.

• Arriving by land or sea (for example by car from the United States): no eTA is required, but a valid passport is still mandatory.
• French-Canadian dual citizens: they cannot apply for an eTA and must travel with a valid Canadian passport.
• Permanent residents of Canada: they travel with their permanent resident card or travel document, not an eTA.

Cost and validity

On the official website, the eTA costs C$7, paid by card. Once issued, it is valid for up to five years or until the passport used for the application expires, whichever comes first. It allows multiple entries while valid.

The eTA does not set how long you can stay: the border services officer decides on arrival. For a visitor, it is generally up to six months.

Applying, step by step

1. Go to the official Government of Canada eTA page, which leads to the online form.
2. Have your passport, a bank card and a valid email address ready.
3. Fill in the form, copying your passport number exactly: a mistake can stop you from boarding.
4. Pay the C$7 fee.
5. Keep the confirmation email. Most applications are approved within minutes, but some take several days: apply as soon as you book your tickets.

Traps to avoid

Many unofficial websites offer to “help” with the application and charge tens of euros for a service that costs C$7. They are not necessarily illegal, but they do not speed anything up.

• Check that the site address ends in canada.ca before paying.
• Be wary of sponsored ads that appear first in search engines.
• Do not confuse the Canadian eTA with the American ESTA: they are two separate authorisations.

eTA, Working Holiday and study permits

If you obtain a work permit (such as a Working Holiday permit) or a study permit, an eTA is normally issued automatically with your letter of introduction. Check your letter before leaving.

Not sure which status fits your plans? Our immigration pathway finder can help.