Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) — Not standard for Indian citizens Verified 2026-04-13Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) — For Visa-Exempt Nationals
Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) — important information for Indian citizens. Most Indians need a Tourist Visa (TRV), NOT an eTA. eTA is for visa-exempt nationals.
No visa is ever guaranteed — the final decision always rests with the Canada visa authority. We make sure your file is presented at its strongest.
⚠️ For most Indian citizens — you need a Tourist Visa (TRV), NOT an eTA. Only apply for eTA if you've held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years, OR currently hold a valid US non-immigrant visa. If unsure, apply for a TRV.
Processing
Usually minutes to hours for approval
Stay Duration
Up to 6 months per visit (determined by border officer)
Starting Fee
CAD $7
Apply At
0 VFS centres
Good to know before you apply
Rules that apply to every Canada visa type — worth a quick read so nothing trips up your file.
- 1Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your intended stay in Canada.
- 2Biometrics (fingerprints + digital photo) are required for most applicants — valid for 10 years.
- 3Do NOT submit your passport to VAC until you receive the Passport Request Letter from IRCC.
- 4Effective Feb 24, 2026: Biometric appointments require you to upload the BIL via the new AMS system.
- 5Effective Oct 9, 2023: Only the applicant, parents (for minors), or 1 appointed family member can submit passports at VAC — not unauthorized third parties.
- 6Not accepted as identity documents: passports from Somalia, non-machine-readable Czech passports, temporary South African passports, provisional Venezuelan passports.
- 7VFS online tracking shows passport LOCATION only. For application processing status, check your IRCC online account directly.
Who Can Apply
- Nationals of visa-exempt countries travelling to Canada by air
- Indian citizens who have held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years (eTA Expansion Program)
- Indian citizens with a valid US non-immigrant visa (eTA Expansion Program)
Not eligible under this visa:
- Most Indian citizens without a recent Canadian visa or US visa — apply for a Tourist Visa (TRV) instead
- Travel by land or sea (eTA is only for air travel)
What it costs
Government & VFS fees
Paid directly to Canada / VFS — these are not our service fee, and we never mark them up.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| eTA application fee | CAD $7 |
eTA is paid once via credit/debit card directly on the IRCC eTA portal. Not processed through VFS. If you're not eligible for eTA, you'll need a Tourist Visa (TRV) — see fees for that separately.
What to gather
Documents required
Having a document isn't the same as presenting it right — that's the part we handle.
Requirements — eTA Expansion Program (for eligible Indians)
5 items- Valid Indian passportRequired
- Valid email addressRequired
- Credit or debit card (for CAD $7 fee)Required
- Valid Canadian visa from last 10 years
Current or previously held — qualifies you for eTA
- Valid US non-immigrant visa
Qualifies you for eTA
Important — Most Indians need TRV instead
1 item- If you don't have a recent Canadian visa or US visa — apply for a Tourist Visa (TRV)
Standard application through VFS Global centres. See our Tourist Visa guide.
Required · optional / if applicable
The journey.
4 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Confirm your eligibility
Check IRCC's eligibility tool. If you have a valid Canadian visa or US non-immigrant visa, you may qualify. Otherwise, apply for TRV.
- 02
Apply online via the official eTA portal
Visit canada.ca/eta. Complete the online form, pay CAD $7 fee with credit/debit card.
- 03
Receive instant approval (usually)
Most eTAs are approved within minutes. Some applications may take longer for review.
- 04
Travel to Canada by air
Present your Indian passport at check-in. Your eTA is linked to your passport electronically — no physical document required.
What works
4 levers that flip a borderline case.
- Double-check eligibility before applying for eTA — most Indians need TRV instead.
- eTA is ONLY for air travel — if travelling by land or sea, you need a different entry document.
- The eTA is linked to your passport electronically — don't need to print anything.
- If your passport changes (renewal, etc.), your old eTA becomes invalid — you'll need a new one.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1Applicant not eligible for eTA Expansion Program (no recent Canadian or US visa)
- 2Inconsistent or incomplete information in the eTA application
- 3Previous immigration violations flagged in IRCC systems
Download official forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens the official VFS Global page for Canada
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
VFS application centres
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) — For Visa-Exempt Nationals is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Free · No obligation · Reply in minutesFrequently asked
Questions, answered straight
Usually no — you need a Tourist Visa (TRV). Exception: if you've held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years OR have a valid US non-immigrant visa, you may qualify under the eTA Expansion Program.
eTA: online authorization (CAD $7, instant, linked to passport electronically) for visa-exempt nationals travelling by air. TRV: physical visa sticker in passport (CAD $100, takes weeks, standard for Indian citizens). Most Indians need TRV.
Apply for a Tourist Visa (TRV). It's the safer choice for Indian citizens without a recent Canadian visa or US visa. SureshotVisa can help you navigate the correct pathway.
eTA is a self-service process directly via IRCC's eTA portal (canada.ca/eta). We guide clients on eligibility but the actual CAD $7 application takes just minutes online. If you don't qualify, we help you apply for a TRV.
Still have a question about your case? Ask us directly — we usually reply in 5 minutes.
This page is for information only
SureshotVisa does not process this visa category. For other Canada visa types we can help with — Tourist, Visitor, Business, Student, or Family Reunification — see the related visa types below.
Other Canada Visa Types
Canada Tourist Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)
Apply for a Canada Tourist Visa (TRV) from India. Complete guide on IRCC fees, documents, biometrics, application process through VFS Global, and 10 VAC centres across India.
View guideCanada Business Visitor Visa (TRV)
Canada Business Visitor Visa for Indian professionals attending meetings, conferences, and business events in Canada. Stay less than 6 months. Not entering the Canadian labor market.
View guideCanada Study Permit
Canada Study Permit for Indian students enrolling at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Complete guide on IRCC fees, documents, PAL requirements, and 2026 updates.
View guideCanada Work Permit — Informational
Canada Work Permit — informational guide for Indian applicants. SureshotVisa does NOT handle work permit procurement; this page is for information purposes only.
View guideCanada Family Visit Visa (TRV)
Canada Family Visit Visa for Indian citizens visiting family who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, temporary residents, or persons registered under the Indian Act. Up to 6 months.
View guideCanada Spousal Visit Visa (TRV — Spouse of PR Sponsor)
Canada Spousal Visit Visa for Indian spouses whose Canadian partner has sponsored them for Permanent Residence. Faster processing available while PR application is in progress.
View guideCanada Compassionate Visit Visa (TRV — Urgent Family)
Canada Compassionate Visit Visa for urgent visits due to critical illness, death, or other humanitarian reasons. Priority processing available with strong supporting evidence.
View guideCanada Seafarer / Marine Crew Visa (TRV)
Canada Seafarer / Marine Crew Visa for Indian seafarers joining a vessel as crew in Canadian ports. Temporary Resident Visa for duration of contract.
View guideSource & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Canada website and Embassy of Canada. Last verified 2026-04-13. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.