Can a Canadian eTA be used for transit purposes?

Updated: Mar 10, 2020 | Tags: Canada eTA Eligibility, Canada eTA Uses, Canada eTA Transit

Introduction

What can you use a Canadian eTA for? Generally, an eTA is thought of as a tourism document. But can it also be used for other purposes? If you want to enter Canada for transit, business, or other purposes, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can use your eTA once you cross the border into Canada. For more information, you can visit the Canadian eTA requirements page.

Can a Canadian eTA be used for transit purposes?

Transit

Can you use your Canadian eTA for transit? The answer is “yes.” In fact, if you are a citizen of a country that is visa-exempt in Canada, then you must have an eTA to transit through Canada. If your plane is simply refuelling in Canada while going to and from the United States, then you will not need an eTA. But if you plan to get off the plane, you do need an eTA.

Tourism

Most frequently billed as a travel authorization for tourism, a Canadian eTA is the main way that tourists from visa-exempt countries get into Canada. With a Canadian eTA, you can present yourself at the border of Canada and will most likely be allowed into the country.

As a tourist with an eTA, you can go anywhere in Canada and explore the cities, national parks, and wide open spaces of the country. You can visit friends, see sights, and enjoy a vacation within Canada.

Business

You can use an eTA to travel to Canada for business. Depending on what you plan to do, you may also need additional documentation. If you plan to stay less than six months, you will need to prove that your main source of income comes from outside Canada, that you will not be in the country longer than six months, and that you do not plan to enter the Canadian labor market, in addition to the usual requirements.

If you plan to stay in Canada for business for longer than six months, then you will need a work visa in addition to your eTA. The eTA will not be sufficient in this case.  

There are a few exceptions to this. The Transit Without Visa (TWV) Program allows some people to transit through Canada without an eTA. In order to be eligible for this, you must have a valid passport from the United States, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, or Thailand. You also must arrive at the airport during business hours, stay in the airport, and travel on specific airlines through specific airports. To learn more about this, you can visit the Canadian government website.

Conclusion

You can use your Canadian eTA for business, tourism, or transit. In the majority of situations, a Canadian eTA is sufficient and necessary for transiting through Canada. If you are eligible for an eTA for the purpose of tourism, then you are eligible for an eTA for the purpose of transit.