Do UK citizens need a visa for Canada?
British citizens do not need a visitor visa for a short stay, normally up to 6 months. If you fly to Canada, or transit a Canadian airport, you need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) before you board.
Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa needed? | No visitor visa for a short stay. An eTA is required for air travel, including a transit by air. |
| Maximum stay | Normally up to 6 months at a time. The border officer decides. |
| Cost | CAD 7, paid on the Government of Canada application. The fee is per person and is non-refundable. |
| How to apply | On the Government of Canada website, before you fly. Most approvals arrive by email within minutes. Some take several days if you are asked for documents. An eTA lasts up to 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. |
| Passport validity | GOV.UK says your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay. The eTA is linked to that passport. |
| Other documents | Officers may ask for a return or onward ticket and proof you can pay for your stay, even if you are staying with family or friends. There is no fixed sum on the GOV.UK page. |
| Official link | Use the authority’s own website. Entry Visa Guide does not take applications. · Government of Canada eTA application (opens in a new tab) |
Apply only on the government website linked above. This site does not issue the authorisation and does not take the application. Other websites charge their own service fee on top of any government charge.
How to apply
- Confirm you hold a British citizen passport. Canada lists some other British nationality types separately. If yours is not a British citizen passport, use the Canada visa and eTA checker (opens in a new tab).
- Apply on the Government of Canada page and pay CAD 7 there. IRCC says some other websites charge to submit applications and are not the Canadian government.
- When the email arrives, check the passport number matches the passport you will carry. If it does not, apply again.
- If you enter by land or by sea, including a cruise, you do not need an eTA. You still need a valid passport. Flying, including an air transit, still needs the eTA.
What an eTA does not allow
IRCC says an eTA lets you travel to Canada for short stays. It does not let you work or study. Most work needs a work permit and most study needs a study permit.
An approval does not guarantee entry. A border services officer decides when you arrive. British-Canadian dual nationals use a valid Canadian passport and do not use an eTA for that passport.
Recent changes
- Checked against GOV.UK Canada entry requirements and IRCC’s eTA pages. The fee on the IRCC page was CAD 7. · source (opens in a new tab)
FAQ
Do I need an eTA if I drive into Canada?
No. IRCC says citizens of eTA countries do not need an eTA when they arrive by car, bus, train, or boat, including a cruise ship. You still need a valid passport. You do need an eTA to board a flight.
How long does the application take?
IRCC says most people are approved within minutes. If you are asked for more documents, an email with instructions is sent within 72 hours, and the decision can take several days.
Can I work on an eTA?
No. IRCC says an eTA does not allow you to work or study. You need the permit that matches that plan.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Canada entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: about the eTA, including the CAD 7 fee and 5-year validity (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: how to apply for an eTA (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: check whether you need a visa or an eTA (opens in a new tab)
Last verified: 2026-10-16
Related reading
Independent guide, not legal advice. Entry Visa Guide is an independent information site. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or run by any government or public authority. Always check official sources before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Report an error.