It is tempting to treat the approval email as the end of the preparation. But an eTA is not a paper document; it is a record linked electronically to a passport, and whether it can be used after approval depends on the state of that passport. Knowing what to check afterwards prevents unpleasant surprises at the airport.
Valid for up to five years, or until the passport expires
An eTA is valid for up to five years from approval. If the passport used in the application expires earlier, the eTA ends on the same day. Approval obtained with one year left on the passport therefore gives one year of use. Within the validity period you may travel to Canada repeatedly, so a new application is not needed for every trip.
A new passport means a new eTA
The eTA is tied to the passport number. When a passport is reissued with a new number, the earlier approval cannot be found against the new passport and a fresh application is required. The same applies after a name change. If you plan to renew your passport after approval, remember to apply again once the new passport is in hand.
Airlines and border officers check the passport, not a printout
At check-in the airline looks up the approval using your passport details. A printed approval email is only for reference; if the airline system cannot find the approval, boarding may be refused. That is why the passport number in the approval email must match the passport you carry, and the passport details in your flight booking must belong to the same passport.
An eTA lets you board; it does not guarantee entry
Holding an eTA does not guarantee admission. On arrival a border officer reviews the purpose of the visit, the intended length of stay and your plans to leave, then decides whether to admit you and for how long. Most visitors are allowed up to six months per visit, but the officer may set a shorter period. Having a return ticket, accommodation details and an itinerary ready makes the inspection straightforward.
Keep the approval email
The approval email contains the eTA number and its expiry date. You will need that number to compare with your passport or to check the status later, so do not delete it. Families travelling together should keep every member's approval email in one place.
Final checks before departure
- The passport number in the approval email matches the passport you are carrying
- The passport expiry date comfortably covers the trip
- The passport details in the flight booking belong to the same passport
- The return journey still falls within the eTA validity period
An eTA is a record attached to a passport. A new passport means a new application, an expired passport ends the eTA, and admission itself is decided at the border on arrival.