What Travel Permits do the British Need to Enter Canada

If it is on your mind to travel to Canada from the UK for a short time, it is essential that you know about the travel requirements first. Those with a British passport can visit Canada for a short while without a visa, for an eTA suffices. 

The land of Maple trees beckons you, and you, as a UK citizen, wish for a brief getaway to Canada. But whether you wish to be amazed at the wonder of Niagara Falls or roam about the city of Montreal, there are a few travel permits you have to keep in mind. Do you need a Canada visa to the UK? No! As of 2016, UK citizens are required to have a simple eTA to get entry access into Canada. But what is an eTA? Is the application process more complicated than applying for an online visa?

Worry not, for your questions will be answered in this blog! Considering as of 2024, around 77,800 of UK citizens had traveled to Canada, the application process of eTA cannot be difficult, right? 

What Are Canada’s Entry Requirements for UK Citizens?

British citizens, British subjects, citizens of British Dependent Territories, and citizens of the British Overseas who are re-admissible to the UK wanting to enter Canada do not have to apply for a Canada visa UK; they need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) instead. Since the United Kingdom falls under the category of visa-exempt countries for Canada, citizens who are traveling by air need to acquire an eTA (those going by sea or land do not need an eTA).

• The eTA will let you enjoy tourist-y activities in Canada for 180 days at a stretch
• The eTA comes with a 5-year validity, but your passport should remain valid throughout as well (the eTA expires otherwise)
• The eTA requires renewal if you have a new passport
• The eTA application can be made online and is quite a hassle-free procedure

Please note that you need to show the eTA at the time of boarding the flight. If you have an expired eTA, or one whose details do not match with your passport, you will be stopped from boarding the flight. So, be cautious at the time of filling out the eTA application form, and double- and triple-check every detail.

If a UK citizen travels to Canada by land or sea, they do not need an eTA; they need to show the passport as an ID proof. Also, Canadian officials at the border may ask them to show their return or onward ticket as proof of their honest intent. Also, proof of having enough means to sustain the stay in the country has to be shown, even if the person is staying at a friend’s or a relative’s house.

How to Apply for the eTA

The entry requirements for Canada are not extensive; you simply need your passport, a mode of payment, and an email. The eTA application gets completed in a few simple steps.

• Get on our website and fill out the online application form (make sure that the details you give match to that with your passport)
• Upload the necessary documents
• Make the application fee payment 

The application process is done! eTA approval does not take long; you are likely to receive the approval in just about a few minutes. 

Every UK citizen traveling to Canada requires an eTA, so do not make the mistake of not applying for an eTA for a child going with you. Also, note that the eTA allows you to go sightseeing, take part in festivals, visit friends (not direct relatives**) but not get employment in Canada.

** If you are visiting Canada to meet family members who are of Canadian citizenship and wish to stay with them for a longer time, apply for the Super Visa after checking the visa requirements for Canada. This will allow you to remain without having to renew the authorized stay. 

• Parents and/or grandparents of Canadian citizens are eligible
• Lets you stay for 5 years
• Grants multiple entries

Make Your Entry into Canada More Seamless

Besides following the usual Canada entry requirements for UK citizens, you need one more thing to make the border experience more seamless – use the ArriveCAN app and complete the Advance CBSA Declaration. Do this 72 hours before your estimated arrival time in Canada so that upon arrival, you save considerable time during customs and immigration. 

This step is helpful if you are arriving at any of these airports:

• • Halifax Stanfield International Airport
  • Toronto Pearson International Airport 
  • Edmonton International Airport
  • Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport
  • Montreal-Trudeau International Airport 
  • Vancouver International Airport
  • Calgary International Airport
  • Ottawa International Airport 

• Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport 

• Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport 

However, while filling out the form online definitely will speed up the customs process, remember that there are certain rules about what you may not bring into Canada.

In the case that you are found in possession of cannabis, any plant or animal that poses a threat to the country, or anything endangered, you will be charged a hefty fine. The item will, of course, be confiscated. For certain prescription drugs that you may be taking, make sure to have written authorization in order to not face any hassle.

How about Traveling to Canada on a Personal Aircraft or Private Boat?

There is no need for an eTA. However, your arrival must be reported to the Canada Border Services Agency beforehand, for traveling by personal means calls for an oral declaration.

• Let the concerned officials know about the items you are carrying
• No carrying of prohibited items (as mentioned above) allowed in the aircraft or on the boat
• There should be other documents, such as the passport, as your ID proof
• Personal aircraft will require pre-clearance from customs

Crossing the US Border when Entering Canada

If you plan to travel by road and cross the US border to reach your destination, there is going to be a slight change in the entry requirements for Canada. No applying for an eTA anymore! You have to opt for an ESTA, which, like eTA, is going to act as your travel permit to grant you entry into the United States of America. 

The application process of ESTA is the same as that of eTA, so there’s no hassle. You are going to receive your confirmation in just a few minutes. 

The ESTA will serve as proof at the Canada border that you have lawfully traveled across the USA. Upon reaching the Canada-USA border, you have to show your ESTA and passport to the officials and may also need to show proof of other requirements, like the span for which you plan to stay in the country or if you have the means to sustain your stay.

Triple check all documents. Remember that the Canada Border Services Agency reserves the right to deny you entry if it remains unsure of your travel plans or if you are unable to show valid documentation. 

Crucial Tips for the British to Remember when Traveling to Canada

Not only the eTA application, but there are a few other things as well you need to consider when planning for a Canada trip. 

Pick the right time: Knowing when traveling to Canada will be the most fruitful. If outdoor escapades excite you, a summer getaway is ideal. Or if you wish to spend Christmas elsewhere, make bookings for the winter season. Spring and autumn have fewer crowds, so you can roam in peace.

Book in advance: Book flight tickets well in advance so as to get good deals. But when making a hotel booking, it is advisable to not spend a fortune on it. While Canada does have luxurious and boutique hotels, the scope for adventures is such that you are likely to spend more time outdoors anyway!

Pack wisely: When packing clothing items, remember to have versatile pieces for varying temperatures. Also, pack boots or comfortable shoes according to what you have planned for the trip. 

Keep time zones in mind: You are probably used to having just Greenwich Mean Time as the standard, but know that there will be different time zones here as Canada is expansive.

Table: Time difference between Canada and the UK

A Special Note for Someone Traveling to Canada WITHOUT a British Passport

Say, you have been in the UK for the past few years for work or for studying. And your fellow colleagues or students have planned a trip to Canada. Fret not; there is no stopping you from tagging along with them! While you certainly do not apply for the eTA as other British citizens do, you follow the rules that Canada requires to grant entry. 

• Show your travel document, i.e., the passport from your homeland (it should be valid)
• Check the visa requirements for Canada from your home land and make the application for an eTA or a visa accordingly (do not have to apply for anything if you are from a visa-waiver country)
• Be hale and hearty
• No past criminal records or immigration-related problems
• Show proof of your intent that you are soon to return to the UK
• Have enough means to sustain your stay

Ready to Take a Short Trip to Canada?

If you do not have enough time to plan an extensive vacation to the other part of the world, a short getaway to Canada is just perfect. There is no hassle of overcoming the language barrier, the weather remains pleasant, and you do not have to go through the time-consuming process of applying for a Canada visa UK at the embassy. Getting an eTA will serve your purpose. So, simply get on the website and submit the necessary documents to get your Electronic Travel Authorization. For more queries about the eTA, contact us.