Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and visitors to Canada: Electronic travel authorization (eTA) applications
Immediate restrictions for travellers arriving from Southern Africa region
Canadians citizens, those registered under the Indian Act, and permanent residents, who have been in the Southern Africa region within the previous 14 days, including South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Namibia:
- must follow new pre-entry testing before continuing their journey to Canada, and post-arrival requirements
Foreign nationals who have been in these countries within the period of 14 days will not be permitted entry into Canada.
Changes to border measures coming soon
Upcoming changes to border measures include
- rules for re-entering Canada, if leaving for 72 hours or less
- who is considered fully vaccinated
- rules for travelling within Canada
- who can enter Canada as an unvaccinated or partially vaccinated traveller
We’ve temporarily changed how to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA). The instructions on this page are only for people who need an eTA and are eligible to travel to Canada at this time.
On this page
How to apply for a new eTA
Step 1: Apply
You need to apply online for an eTA.
Step 2: Contact us to prove how you meet the requirements to travel
After you apply, use our web form to tell us you’re exempt from the travel restrictions.
Read the instructions below to make sure your request is complete.
We’ll contact you within 14 business days of getting your complete request.
Do not book travel before you get your eTA.
How to fill out the web form
- Choose “Submit a travel exemption enquiry” from the dropdown menu, then click “Continue to form”.
- Fill in the personal information for the person who wants to travel to Canada. See below for more information on what to enter in each field.
- Agree to the consent and disclaimer and review your request before you submit it.
Submit only 1 web form request with all the required information and supporting documents.
If you send us multiple requests with different or missing information, your request will be delayed and may be refused.
What to enter in each field
Email address
We’ll use the email address you give us to contact you.
We can respond only to your email address. If you want us to respond to an email address other than your own, you must provide a Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) form to authorize another person to act on your behalf.
If you’re a representative, and you applied on behalf of someone, we’ll use the email address you provided in that application.
Unique client identifier (UCI) number
Provide your UCI to help us find you in our system. If you don’t have a UCI, you can leave this field empty.
Application number
Provide your application number. If you don’t have your application number, click the checkbox below the field to tell us you don’t have one.
What did you apply for?
Select “Temporary Residence” then select “Electronic Travel Authorization”.
Tell us about your situation
Include information such as
- a detailed reason of how you meet a travel exemption to come to Canada
- your passport number
- the dates you plan to travel
- where you live now (current country of residence)
If you’ve already booked your travel, provide your travel itinerary including your
- flight number
- departure time and location
- arrival time and location
Upload files that support your situation
Upload documents to support your request. See below for what evidence to submit.
Do not include personal photos.
You must prove that you’re eligible to come to Canada by providing evidence as an attachment when you send us your request. The type of evidence you need to provide depends on what you qualify for.
If you’re outside the United States (US)
You must be able to prove one of the following:
- You qualify for an exemption and are coming for a non‑discretionary purpose.
- You’re an immediate family member or extended family member of a Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or permanent resident, and you meet one of the requirements to enter Canada.
- You’re an immediate family member of a temporary resident in Canada.
- You’re already authorized by PHAC to travel to Canada for compassionate reasons.
- You’re coming to participate in an ISSE.
If you’re travelling directly from the US
You must be able to prove one of the following:
- You’re travelling for a non‑discretionary purpose.
- You’re an immediate family member or extended family member of a Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or permanent resident, and you meet one of the requirements to enter Canada.
- You’re already authorized by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to travel to Canada for compassionate reasons.
- You’re coming to participate in an ISSE.
What evidence to submit
All supporting documents must be in English or French. If they’re not in English or French, you must submit a certified translation and a certified photocopy of the document.
If you qualify as an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or Canadian permanent resident
Examples of evidence you can provide with your visitor visa application include
- a marriage certificate or proof of common-law status (documents showing a shared address)
- a birth certificate
- a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) for one of the following:
- the family class (the COPR category under Application Details will be FC)
- the one-year window of opportunity provision (coded as OYW under Special Program)
- other documents that show an immediate family connection, for example
- correspondence from us showing a spousal sponsorship application in progress
- documents that show a shared home address
If you qualify as an extended family member of a Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or Canadian permanent resident
Submit the signed and completed application for authorization and statutory declaration in your email
- If the person you’re trying to reunite with in Canada is 18 years of age or older, the Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration [IMM 0006] (PDF, 1.88 MB) must be used.
- If the person you’re trying to reunite with in Canada is under the age of 18 years, the Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration for the Parent of a Minor [IMM 0016] (PDF, 1,705 KB) must be used.
Make sure to complete the correct version of the application for authorization and statutory declaration form. If you send us the wrong form, your request will be delayed and may be refused.
You also need to provide proof that your extended family member is a Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or permanent resident.
For example, you can provide a copy of their
- Canadian birth certificate
- If the person you’re trying to reunite with in Canada is under the age of 18 years, you must include proof of parentage for the minor, such as their birth certificate.
- Canadian passport
- secure certificate of Indian status or certificate of Indian status
- temporary confirmation of registration document
- permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document
If you qualify as an immediate family member of a temporary resident in Canada
Along with your visitor visa application, include proof of your
- relationship with an immediate family member in Canada
- immediate family member’s status in Canada (copy of their study permit or work permit)
If you’re already authorized to come to Canada for compassionate reasons
Submit the authorization letter you got from PHAC.
Note: Having an authorization letter from PHAC doesn’t guarantee you’ll be approved for an eTA.
If you’re coming to take part in an ISSE
First, the National Sport Organization you’re affiliated with needs to make a request for a letter of authorization to the Deputy Minister of PCH.
After that, PCH will give you instructions on how to prioritize your application and what you need to submit.
Step 3: Wait for us to email you
If your eTA is automatically approved, you’ll get an approval email with the details of your eTA.
If your eTA is not automatically approved, you’ll get an email with next steps.
Step 4: Prepare to travel
You need to use ArriveCAN
Use ArriveCAN to provide mandatory travel information required for entry into Canada.
Make sure you’re using the newest version of ArriveCAN. If you previously submitted your information using an older version of ArriveCan, you must download the latest version and resubmit your information.
You need to prepare properly before you travel to Canada.
Before you travel, make sure all the documents you need, such as your written authorization from IRCC or the Public Health Agency of Canada, and your travel document (visitor visa or eTA, if required) are valid. If your documents are expired, you need to apply for new ones. Otherwise, you won’t be able to board your flight or enter the country.
Bring proof
You must bring evidence that you’re eligible to travel at this time
You must bring
- the evidence you provided in your application (see above for what evidence to submit)
- written authorization from IRCC (if you’re required to get one)
- written authorization from PHAC (if you’re travelling for compassionate reasons)
- written authorization from PCH (if you’re participating in an ISSE)
If you can’t provide this information, you won’t be allowed to board your flight to Canada or enter Canada.
Before you travel to Canada
All travellers entering Canada must follow testing and quarantine requirements to keep everyone safe. Under certain conditions, you may be exempt from some of these requirements.
Find out if you’re exempt from any testing and quarantine requirements.
If you already applied for an eTA
Follow the steps below to contact us if you
- applied for an eTA, but you haven’t heard from us about next steps
- have a valid eTA, and you need written authorization to travel
If you’re an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or permanent resident, and you already have an eTA
You don’t need a written authorization from us confirming that you’re exempt from the travel restrictions. You don’t need to contact us.
Find more information on uniting with your immediate family members in Canada.
Step 1: Contact us
Contact us through our web form to tell us you’re exempt from the travel restrictions.
Read the instructions below to make sure your request is complete.
We’ll contact you within 14 business days of getting your complete request.
Do not book travel before you get your eTA.
How to fill out the web form
- Choose “Submit a travel exemption enquiry” from the dropdown menu, then click “Continue to form”.
- Fill in the personal information for the person who wants to travel to Canada. See below for more information on what to enter in each field.
- Agree to the consent and disclaimer and review your request before you submit it.
Submit only 1 web form request with all the required information and supporting documents.
If you send us multiple requests with different or missing information, your request will be delayed and may be refused.
What to enter in each field
Email address
We’ll use the email address you give us to contact you.
We can respond only to your email address. If you want us to respond to an email address other than your own, you must provide a Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) form to authorize another person to act on your behalf.
If you’re a representative, and you applied on behalf of someone, we’ll use the email address you provided in that application.
Unique client identifier (UCI) number
Provide your UCI to help us find you in our system. If you don’t have a UCI, you can leave this field empty.
Application number
Provide your application number. If you don’t have your application number, click the checkbox below the field to tell us you don’t have one.
What did you apply for?
Select “Temporary Residence” then select “Electronic Travel Authorization”.
Tell us about your situation
Include information such as
- a detailed reason of how you meet a travel exemption to come to Canada
- your passport number
- the dates you plan to travel
- where you live now (current country of residence)
If you’ve already booked your travel, provide your travel itinerary, including your
- flight number
- departure time and location
- arrival time and location
Upload files that support your situation
Upload documents to support your request. See step 2 for what evidence to submit.
Do not include personal photos.
Step 2: Show how you’re eligible to travel at this time
You must prove that you’re eligible to come to Canada by providing evidence as an attachment when you send us your request. The type of evidence you need to provide depends on what you qualify for.
If you’re outside the United States (US)
You must be able to prove one of the following:
- You qualify for an exemption and are coming for a non‑discretionary purpose.
- You’re an immediate family member or extended family member of a Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or permanent resident, and you meet one of the requirements to enter Canada.
- You’re an immediate family member of a temporary resident in Canada.
- You’re already authorized by PHAC to travel to Canada for compassionate reasons.
- You’re coming to participate in an ISSE.
If you’re travelling directly from the US
You must be able to prove one of the following:
- You’re travelling for a non‑discretionary purpose.
- You’re an immediate family member or extended family member of a Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or permanent resident, and you meet one of the requirements to enter Canada.
- You’re already authorized by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to travel to Canada for compassionate reasons
- You’re coming to participate in an ISSE.
What evidence to submit
All supporting documents must be in English or French. If they’re not in English or French, you must submit a certified translation and a certified photocopy of the document.
If you qualify as an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or Canadian permanent resident
Examples of evidence you can provide
- a marriage certificate or proof of common-law status (documents showing a shared address)
- a birth certificate
- a secure certificate of Indian status or certificate of Indian status
- a temporary confirmation of registration document
- a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) for one of the following:
- the family class (the COPR category under Application Details will be FC)
- the one-year window of opportunity provision (coded as OYW under Special Program)
- other documents that show an immediate family connection, for example
- correspondence from us showing a spousal sponsorship application in progress
- documents that show a shared home address
If you qualify as an extended family member of a Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or Canadian permanent resident
Submit the signed and completed application for authorization and statutory declaration in your email
- If the person you’re trying to reunite with in Canada is 18 years of age or older, the Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration [IMM 0006] (PDF, 1.88 MB) must be used.
- If the person you’re trying to reunite with in Canada is under the age of 18 years, the Application for Authorization and Statutory Declaration for the Parent of a Minor [IMM 0016] (PDF, 1,705 KB) must be used.
Make sure to complete the correct version of the application for authorization and statutory declaration form. If you send us the wrong form, your request will be delayed and may be refused.
You also need to provide proof that your extended family member is a Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or permanent resident.
For example, you can provide a copy of their
- Canadian birth certificate
- If the person you’re trying to reunite with in Canada is under the age of 18 years, you must include proof of parentage for the minor, such as their birth certificate.
- Canadian passport
- secure certificate of Indian status or certificate of Indian status
- temporary confirmation of registration document
- permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document
If you qualify as an immediate family member of a temporary resident in Canada
Submit proof of your
- relationship with an immediate family member in Canada
- immediate family member’s status in Canada (copy of their study permit or work permit)
If you’re already authorized to come to Canada for compassionate reasons
Submit the authorization letter you got from PHAC.
Note: Having an authorization letter from PHAC doesn’t guarantee you’ll be approved for an eTA.
If you already have an eTA, you don’t need to contact us.
If you’re coming to take part in an ISSE
First, the National Sport Organization you’re affiliated with needs to make a request for a letter of authorization to the Deputy Minister of PCH.
After that, PCH will give you instructions on how to prioritize your application and what you need to submit.
If you already have an eTA, you don’t need to contact us.
Step 3: Wait for our email
An officer will assess the evidence you’ve submitted. If your application is approved, you’ll receive an email from IRCC with the next steps.
Step 4: Prepare to travel
You need to use ArriveCAN
Use ArriveCAN to provide mandatory travel information required for entry into Canada.
Make sure you’re using the newest version of ArriveCAN. If you previously submitted your information using an older version of ArriveCan, you must download the latest version and resubmit your information.
You need to prepare properly before you travel.
Before you travel, make sure all the documents you need, such as your written authorization from IRCC or the Public Health Agency of Canada, and your travel document (visitor visa or eTA, if required) are valid. If your documents are expired, you need to apply for new ones. Otherwise, you won’t be able to board your flight or enter the country.
Bring proof
You must bring evidence that you meet the eligibility requirements to travel at this time.
You must bring
- the evidence you provided in your application (see step 2)
- written authorization from IRCC (if you’re required to get one)
- written authorization from PHAC (if you’re travelling for compassionate reasons)
- written authorization from PCH (if you’re participating in an ISSE)
If you can’t provide this information, you won’t be allowed to board your flight or enter Canada.
Before you travel to Canada
All travellers entering Canada must follow testing and quarantine requirements to keep everyone safe. Under certain conditions, you may be exempt from some of these requirements.
Find out if you’re exempt from any testing and quarantine requirements.
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