Canada Visa for United Kingdom Citizens 2026 - Requirements, Fees & Processing

No. UK citizens are visa-exempt for short visits to Canada. You need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when flying to Canada, which costs CAD $7 and can be obtained online in minutes. If arriving by land or sea from the United States, you do not need an eTA.

Most eTA applications are approved within minutes. Some applications may take up to 72 hours if additional review is required. In rare cases requiring further documentation, processing can take several days. Apply before booking flights to avoid issues.

The Canada eTA costs CAD $7 (approximately £4). This is a one-time fee that covers your eTA for up to 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. The fee is non-refundable even if your application is denied.

The eTA is valid for 5 years from approval, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. During this period, you can make unlimited trips to Canada, with each stay limited to 6 months maximum.

UK citizens can stay in Canada for up to 6 months per visit. The exact duration is determined by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at the port of entry. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for an extension before your authorized stay expires.

No. The eTA is only required when flying to Canada. If you are entering Canada by land or sea (such as driving from the United States), you do not need an eTA. However, you still need a valid passport and may be subject to questioning at the border.

No. The eTA only permits tourism, visiting family or friends, business activities (meetings, conferences), and short-term study courses. Any paid employment requires a separate work permit. Business visitors can attend meetings but cannot work for a Canadian company.

Possibly. Canada has strict inadmissibility rules regarding criminal records. Even minor offenses or spent convictions under UK law may result in eTA denial. If you have any criminal history, your application may be flagged for additional review or denied. You may need to apply for criminal rehabilitation or a Temporary Resident Permit.

A DUI conviction makes you potentially inadmissible to Canada. If your DUI was less than 10 years ago, you may be denied entry. Options include applying for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) or, if 5+ years have passed since completing your sentence, applying for criminal rehabilitation.

If your eTA is denied, you will receive an email explaining the decision. You cannot travel to Canada under the eTA program. Instead, you must apply for a visitor visa (CAD $100), which allows you to provide additional documentation and context. For criminal inadmissibility, you may need a Temporary Resident Permit.

Yes. Every traveler, including infants and children, must have their own eTA when flying to Canada. Each child needs their own valid passport, and a separate application with payment must be submitted for each individual.

Yes. British citizens transiting through a Canadian airport need an eTA even if they are not entering Canada. The eTA allows you to pass through Canadian immigration during your layover. Transit without a visa is only available at certain airports for specific nationalities.