The ESTA form is a boarding authorization for travel to the USA. It became mandatory in 2009, when U.S. Customs and Border Protection introduced it. This form is valid for nationals of countries that have signed the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. As you can see, you no longer need to apply for a USA visa at the American embassy for your future stay in the United States. Travelers to Canada via the USA have long been required to apply for an ESTA for transit through the USA before landing in Canada.
Since 2016, Canada has followed the U.S. lead in introducing the need to obtain an electronic travel authorization before taking off for Canada.
An eTA Canada
Since 2016, entry to Canada has therefore required nationals of 56 countries worldwide to apply for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before any planned trip to Canadian soil. It operates in much the same way as ESTA. You need to meet various eligibility criteria in order to apply for your eTA.
First of all, you must be a national of one of the countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program. You must also have a biometric or electronic passport, and be traveling for business, tourism or transit for a maximum of 90 days. Do you meet all these conditions? You can enter Canada with an eTA document.
Several websites are now available for online requests. Access one of these sites and carefully fill in the fields. The questions asked are personal and will be important when validating your online application. Once you have completed your personal declaration, you will receive a reply to your request immediately, or within 72 hours maximum, as the system is computerized and responds to an algorithm that accepts or rejects requests based on the answers and information provided. You must select a specialized site or the official Canadian government site to apply for your eTA Canada. The validity period of your Electronic Travel Authorization is five years, which means you can make several trips during this long period.
How do I fill in the online form?
If you apply for authorization on the government website, don’t expect to be able to contact online assistance, as you’ll have to fill in the questionnaire yourself. It starts with a few fields to fill in, such as your first name, surname, passport number and date of issue, and your occupation. You will then be asked a series of questions, which you must answer as honestly as possible. These questions cover a wide range of subjects, from communicable diseases to past legal proceedings. Finally, to validate your form, you’ll need to pay $7 by credit card.
What should I do if I make a mistake?
After filling in the online form, and before submitting it, you will be asked to double-check your answers. Be careful, as the form is analyzed by electronic systems, and may be rejected for a typing error.
In the event of a typing or spelling error, the applicant can wait a few days before renewing the application online.
However, if you don’t meet the eligibility requirements for eTA Canada authorization, the only option left for you to live the Canadian dream is to go to theCanadian embassy and apply for a visa.