If you are a Briton and would like to visit Canada for a short visit by air, you need a Canada eta for UK citizens. Unlike citizens of other countries who may need to visit the Canadian embassy in their respective countries to apply for a visa, you don’t have to.
Keep reading to learn more about eta Canada visa and how to apply for one as a British passport holders.
Canada Electronic Travel Authorization
ETA is a travel document or visa issued to citizens of other countries who want to visit Canada for business or pleasure. This document is solely for air travel, not land or sea travel. This means that if you plan to travel to Canada by sea or through the US southern border, you can’t use a Canadian ETA but a conventional visa issued by the Canadian embassy in London.
The Canadian government introduced the program to improve border security and to aid UK citizens who like regular visits. This program took more than 4 years to develop and fine-tune, and it has been a success story. It has liberalized visa application procedures for UK citizens, and it has also expedited approval timelines. Applicants no longer have to wait for weeks or days for their visas for short stays.
ETA is not an optional but mandatory document for UK citizens. It allows the holder to stay in Canada for not more than 90 days per trip. UK citizens who wish to visit Canada for business, tourism, or medical care may apply for it. However, in case the applicant plans to spend more than 90 days in the country, this is not the ideal visa to apply for.
ETA is a travel document or visa issued to citizens of other countries who want to visit Canada for business or pleasure. This document is solely for air travel, not land or sea travel. This means that if you plan to travel to Canada by sea or through the US southern border, you can’t use an ETA but a conventional visa issued by the Canadian embassy in London.
There are long stay visas that come with temporary and permanent residency. These types of visas are obtained directly from the Canadian embassy or consular offices.
Canada ETA Eligibility
If you are a UK citizen, before you decide that you want to apply for an ETA, you have to be sure that you are eligible for it first. Here are the eligibility requirements for a Canada eta visa.
You Must Be A British Citizen
You must be a British citizen or British citizens of any of the eligible countries on the ETA list. Declaring your nationality is one thing; proving it with valid documents is another.
UK Passport
You must present a valid passport with at least 3 months of validity. The passport is one of the major documents required by the Canadian government to prove your nationality.
Age
Only UK citizens of 18 years and above qualify for a Canada eta visa. For those under 18, their parents or guardians must apply for the ETA on their behalf before they can enter Canada.
How To Apply For ETA
Applying for a valid Canadian visa is easy if you have a smartphone and reliable internet broadband. You can simply complete the application form and attach all the required documents online. Pay the application fee and submit the form for approval.
Application fees are paid using a credit or debit card or PayPal. You also need an email address as this is the only way to receive your Visa once your application has been approved.
Once you get the visa, print it out and bring a copy to Canada, as the immigration officers on duty will request it. Note that Canadian immigration officers have the right to deny you entry into Canada if they are not satisfied with the reasons given for your visit.
Your application may also be rejected if they conclude that your documents are invalid or fictitious. This is why it is important to only provide accurate information and valid documents when filling out the eta application form.
Approval Timeline
This travel document has one of the fastest approval timelines; you can get your application approved in a matter of hours or within 24 hours. In extreme cases, it may take up to 48 hours, but this rarely happens. To avoid unnecessary delays, complete the form correctly and upload the right documents in the appropriate fields.
How Long Does The Eta Last?
The ETA is valid for 5 years and allows the holder multiple entries into Canada. As long as the one you are holding hasn’t expired, you don’t have to apply for a new one.
Applying for a Canada eta for UK citizens is easy if you use the right portal. Visit VisaHQ to access the application form.