What Information do I need to complete an eTA Application for Canada?

Whether you’re planning a quick visit, a business trip, or a transit through Canada, one of the first questions is: Do I need an eTA? And if so, what information do I need to complete the application correctly?

First and utmost, to know is that eTA is not a type of visa nor a visa equivalent.

An eTA is not just a quick online form you can fill out “close enough.” It is often the very first document that builds your relationship with the Canadian government. What you disclose here becomes part of your immigration record and may be reviewed in future applications for a study permit, work permit, or even permanent residence. That’s why it is essential to treat your eTA with care: it must reflect your honesty, accuracy, and transparent intention. Check, Navigating Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) for details regarding PNP and other options to build towards a PR.

In this article, we’ll walk you through everything step by step: definitions, who needs it, documents, risks, criminal record issues, and why accuracy matters for your future applications.

1. What is an eTA?

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a digital entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals who wish to fly to or transit through Canada by air. It was introduced in November 2016.

Some key features:

• The eTA costs CAD $7.
• It is valid for up to 5 years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
• Once approved, you do not need to apply again for each trip (within its validity period).
• Having an eTA does not guarantee entry; the border services officer can still refuse you admission at a point of entry.

Note: eTA is only for travel by air. If you enter by land or sea (e.g., crossing from the U.S.), an eTA is not used (you might need a visitor visa or other entry authorization).

2. Who Needs an eTA?

Not everyone needs an eTA. It depends on your nationality, the mode of travel, or whether you require a visa. Here’s how to check:

a) Visa-exempt countries

If your country is among Canada’s visa-exempt list, and you are arriving by air, you will need an eTA (unless you’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident).

If your country is not visa-exempt, you’ll instead need a visitor visa rather than an eTA.

b) Exceptions / special cases

• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) generally do not require an eTA for air travel to Canada; they are exempt.
• Permanent residents of Canada (people already holding Canadian PR) should not use an eTA; instead, they must travel with a valid PR card or obtain a one-time “Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD)” if their PR card has expired or they are outside Canada.
• Certain travelers with special documents (e.g., refugee travel documents) may have distinct rules.

Before you apply, use IRCC’s tool “Check if you need an eTA or a visa” on Canada.ca to confirm your eligibility. Alternatively, check Canada’s Express Entry guide; it will help you analyse alternatives.

3. Documents & Information Checklist for eTA Application

Applying for an eTA is simpler than many other immigration processes, but you still need certain information. Here’s a comprehensive checklist:

What You Need	Description / Tips
Valid Passport	A passport from a visa-exempt country (or one that qualifies under eTA eligibility). Check that the passport is not expired.
Email Address	You’ll receive confirmation, application number, and status updates via email.
Credit/Debit Card or Payment Method	To pay the CAD $7 fee.
Biographic Details	Name, date of birth, gender, country of birth, nationality, passport number, issue & expiry dates.
Travel History / Background	You will have to answer questions about prior travel or visa refusals, immigration violations, or criminal history.
Answer Security / Background Questions	These include whether you have ever had a refusal or removal from Canada or another country, any charges or convictions, or misrepresentation.
Supporting Document Upload (if requested)	In rare cases, IRCC may request additional documents. Be prepared to submit scans / certified copies of passports, identity documents, or explanations.

Tips:

• Before starting, have all your passports and personal info prepared. The form times out after a period of inactivity.
• Make sure your email is active and accessible (check spam folder for IRCC messages).
• Enter your name exactly as in your passport; mismatches may cause issues.

After applying, you can check your status via the eTA Check Status tool on the website.

4. What to Be Careful About in the eTA Application

Even though applying for an eTA is simpler than applying for visas or permits, there are critical risks and legal provisions you should not underestimate. Mistakes can have long-term consequences. Learn about biometrics in Canadian and prepare ahead to avoid mistakes and delays.

(a) Misrepresentation & Its Impact

Misrepresentation means giving false or misleading information or withholding relevant facts in an immigration application. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), misrepresentation is a serious offense: you can be banned from entering Canada for up to 5 years, or even permanently, depending on the case.

If you lie or omit something significant, e.g., prior criminal convictions, visa refusals, and the authorities discover it later, your eTA may be revoked and you may be barred from future visas, study or work permits, even permanent residence.

Be fully honest. Even if you fear a past conviction or misstep, disclose it. It’s better to be upfront than risk being labelled inadmissible or misrepresenting and face bans.

It is not uncommon for travelers to be declared inadmissible to Canada for 5 years because of misrepresentation made in their eTA. One of the most serious mistakes is trying to hide a criminal record in order to enter Canada without taking the proper steps, such as applying for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or Criminal Rehabilitation.

This is shortsighted: when you later apply for permanent residence, IRCC will require police certificates from every country where you lived for more than 6 months. Any inconsistency between your eTA and your PR application will expose the misrepresentation with lasting consequences.

(b) IRPA Provisions (Immigration Law) & Penalties

• Section 40(1) of IRPA allows refusal or cancellation of status if an applicant is found to have misrepresented.
• Section 127 of IRPA allows removal from Canada, criminal prosecution, fines, or deportation when misrepresentation is established.
• When you carry an eTA into future applications (study permit, work permit, or PR), immigration officers often check your past declarations. Any inconsistency can trigger misrepresentation grounds.

In short, the eTA is small, but it’s not trivial. Accuracy and completeness are essential.

(c) Case of Not-so-honest John

A visitor from a visa-exempt country applied for an eTA and answered “No” to the criminal history question, even though he had a minor traffic violation conviction(IN some countries, traffic violation is a criminal offence) from years earlier. His eTA was approved, and he visited Canada without issue. However, when he later applied for permanent residence, IRCC requested police certificates. His past conviction appeared, and officers discovered his false statement on the eTA. The result: his PR application was refused, and he was barred from reapplying for 5 years under section 40 of IRPA for misrepresentation.

Lesson: Short-term entry is never worth the long-term consequences. Always disclose honestly, even if it seems like it could hurt your chances.

(d) Case of Very Honest Maria

Another visitor from a visa-exempt country disclosed her past conviction honestly when applying for an eTA. Because her offense had been resolved more than five years earlier, she simultaneously applied for Criminal Rehabilitation. Her eTA application took longer to process, but it was eventually approved. Later, when Maria applied for permanent residence, her record showed she had been transparent and legally rehabilitated. Her PR application was successful.

Lesson: Short-term concealment may feel tempting, but honesty paired with the correct legal process (TRP or rehabilitation) protects your future immigration opportunities.

5. What Do I Do If I Have a Criminal Record?

Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from getting an eTA, but it can make things more complex. The key concept here is admissibility.

When filling your eTA, you’ll be asked if you’ve ever been charged, convicted, or had any criminal or immigration violations. Don’t answer “no” if the truth is “yes.” If you’re unsure or think a case was dropped or sealed, you may want to consult a lawyer or your country’s record authority to understand your status.

If you are deemed inadmissible (for criminal reasons), you may need one of these paths:

• Apply for Criminal Rehabilitation (if your offense qualifies and sufficient time has passed)
• Or if you aren’t yet rehabilitated, apply for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)
• Or in some cases, you may need Individual Rehabilitation (demonstrate that you’re now rehabilitated despite the record)

Always disclose your record and follow up; legally hiding it can lead to misrepresentation consequences (see above).

6. How to Avoid Inadmissibility

“Inadmissibility” means the Canadian government can deny you entry or status because of past issues (crime, security, misrepresentation, health, finances, etc.). Here are key strategies:

1. Be Honest in All Applications
   As stressed, misrepresentation is one of the fastest ways to make yourself inadmissible. Always disclose your full history.
2. Wait Until Rehabilitation Eligibility
   If you have a criminal record, some offenses allow you to become “deemed rehabilitated” if enough time has passed (often 10 years) and if it was a non-serious offense.
   If not enough time has elapsed, you need to apply for Criminal Rehabilitation (if eligible).
3. Use a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)
   A TRP is a discretionary permission to enter Canada despite inadmissibility. It’s usually short-term but can bridge until you qualify for permanent removal of inadmissibility.
4. Keep Clean Behavior
   Show that since your offense, you have good conduct, employment, community service, etc. This helps when authorities assess your rehabilitation.
5. Seek Professional Advice
   Criminal and immigration law intersect. Getting advice from an immigration lawyer in your country before applying is often wise.

7. Why eTA Is Important; Truthfulness Matters Forever

You might think an eTA is a minor requirement, but in Canada’s immigration system, every interaction counts. Here’s why the information you supply in an eTA application can affect your entire immigration journey (study permit, work permit, permanent residence):

• Shared history check: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and border officers often cross-reference past applications. If your eTA data differs from your later study permit or PR application, it can raise red flags.
• Record of misrepresentation or inadmissibility: If your eTA was refused or flagged for misrepresentation, that stays in IRCC’s systems. It can adversely affect future applications.
• Criminal disclosures: If you lie or omit a criminal record in an eTA, but later disclose it under oath in a PR or work permit application, the inconsistency may trigger misrepresentation grounds.
• Validity and status: A valid eTA is a precondition for many flights and entries. If your eTA gets revoked due to false information, you may be prevented from even boarding a plane.
• Permanent record: Think of the eTA as part of your immigration footprint; it’s not a throwaway form. Accurate disclosure now can protect your credibility later in more consequential applications.

In short: don’t treat eTA lightly. The honest, full disclosure you provide sets the foundation for your entire Canadian immigration record.

8. “I Don’t Know if I Was Charged; What Should I Say?”

It’s common to have uncertainty about past charges, especially from many years ago or in different jurisdictions. Here’s how to manage that carefully:

• Investigate your records: Contact your local court, police, or justice department to get your criminal record or background check. Confirm whether any charges or convictions exist.
• If in doubt, disclose with explanation: If you genuinely don’t know, but have reason to believe there might have been a charge, include that information, explain your uncertainty, and note that you are checking records.
• Provide context and documents: If you later get official documents (e.g., “No record found” or dismissal statements), upload them. Keep a timeline of the investigations you made.
• Be consistent in all applications: Whatever you state in eTA, maintain consistency in later permits or PR applications. Contradicting yourself is more damaging in immigration law than saying “I don’t know  investigating.”

Better to over-disclose with explanation than hide something and risk misrepresentation.

9. Need for TRP and Criminal Rehabilitation

When you have a criminal record that makes you inadmissible (i.e., you cannot be “deemed rehabilitated” yet), these are the options:

Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)

• A TRP allows someone who is otherwise inadmissible to enter or stay in Canada temporarily. It is discretionary.
• You will need to justify why your entry is desirable despite inadmissibility (e.g., strong ties, hardship, purpose of visit).
• A TRP can be used while waiting for criminal rehabilitation or for regularizing status.

Criminal Rehabilitation

• This is a formal IRCC application to remove inadmissibility for past criminal activity permanently (or for the long term).
• You can apply for it if at least 5 years have passed since you completed your sentence (including probation, fines, etc.).
• For more serious crimes (termed “serious criminality” under IRPA), approval is harder and sometimes not possible; you may always remain subject to higher scrutiny.
• Once rehabilitation is approved, your record is cleared in IRCC’s eyes (for the purposes of entry), and you no longer need a TRP for that offense.

When applying for rehabilitation or a TRP, follow official IRCC guidance and use the correct forms (IMM forms).

Summary & Final Thoughts

Applying for an eTA might seem simple, but it’s a gateway into the Canadian immigration system, and every detail matters.

• Understand whether you need an eTA or a visa based on your nationality and travel method.
• Gather all required information meticulously: passport, personal details, prior history, disclosures.
• Be truthful; misrepresentation can lead to bans and ruin your future immigration prospects.
• If you have a criminal record, disclose it honestly, then see whether you need a TRP or criminal rehabilitation.
• Treat the eTA as part of your long-term immigration record. What you enter now may follow you into study permits, work permits, or permanent residence.

Contact ICAN Immigration Lawyers today and get the necessary help for your case.

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