Entering Canada as a couple: eTA, passport and customs

Summary: Many visitors to Canada need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), but not both, and some travellers need neither. This guide, written on 10 November 2026, pulls together what BarSwinger could verify on the Government of Canada's pages and in the United Kingdom's travel advice, so you can prepare before you book. Rules change, so confirm your own case on the official Canada.ca site.

Do you need an eTA?

According to the Government of Canada, the eTA is the official application for travel to, or transit through, Canada, and the fee is 7 Canadian dollars, paid online right after completing the form. The FCDO explains that most people need a visa or an eTA to enter or transit Canada, not both, that short visits of up to six months usually do not need a visa but may need an eTA, and that no eTA is needed for people arriving by land or sea with acceptable travel documents. The Government of Canada's pages also say that lawful permanent residents of the United States are exempt from the eTA requirement. Dual Canadian citizens need a Canadian passport instead. Because the answer depends on your nationality and on how you travel, use the official tool on Canada.ca to check your case before you buy a ticket. The government advises applying for an eTA before booking travel.

How to apply and avoid fake sites

You apply online with a valid passport, a credit or debit card and an email address. The government says most applications are approved within minutes, and that if documents are needed you receive an email within 72 hours. The FCDO notes that if 72 hours have passed since you applied without confirmation, you can submit an enquiry form. Both sources warn that some unofficial websites charge for applications and are not linked to the Canadian government; the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says that companies charging fees to apply are not affiliated with the government. Use only the official Canada.ca address and never pay a fee beyond the one the official site shows.

Passport and documents

The CBSA states that international travellers need a passport and may also need a visa or an eTA, depending on citizenship and how they travel. The FCDO adds that your passport must be valid for the length of your stay, and that some countries you transit through may require at least six months' validity. If you are a US citizen, the CBSA recommends a passport, and otherwise documents that together prove your full name, date of birth and citizenship. Airlines check documents before boarding, but boarding does not guarantee entry: a border services officer decides admissibility on arrival.

Criminal records and eligibility

A criminal record or an arrest can affect whether you can enter Canada, and the FCDO advises contacting the Canadian High Commission if you are unsure about eligibility. If you have any past conviction, even an old or minor one, check the official rules well before you travel rather than at the airport.

Customs: what to declare

The FCDO says Canada has strict rules on goods you can bring in or take out, and that you must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. Banned food products are confiscated and can lead to fines. If you have visited a farm or had contact with wild animals before arriving, or plan to visit a farm during your stay, you must say so on the customs declaration. The border officer may ask for proof that you have enough funds for your stay and a return or onward ticket, even if you stay with friends or family. Keep your booking and ticket accessible. We could not verify the current cash-declaration threshold or allowances for alcohol and tobacco on the CBSA's pages, so check the CBSA website for current limits before you pack.

Cannabis and medicines

Recreational cannabis is legal in Canada, but the FCDO warns that laws vary by province or territory, and that taking cannabis across the border without a Health Canada permit or exemption is illegal and can lead to arrest. This applies in both directions: do not take cannabis into or out of the country. Carry your prescription medicines in their original packaging and bring a doctor's note if needed.

Travelling with children

The CBSA recommends that anyone travelling with a minor carry acceptable identification for the child and copies of any legal custody documents, arrive at the border in the same vehicle as the minor and carry a consent letter if the other parent or guardian is not travelling with them. Officers may ask questions about minors in your party.

Health and emergencies

The FCDO says treatment in Canada can be very expensive and that there are no special arrangements for British visitors, so buy travel insurance with medical cover and evacuation. In an emergency, call 911. Check the Public Health Agency of Canada's travel health advice about six weeks before departure for vaccines, including HPV, hepatitis A and B and mpox.

Season and weather

The FCDO notes that winter storms are frequent from November to April and that highways in some provinces can close because of snow. In summer, wildfires are a risk in western Canada and some forested areas of Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia. Check alerts if you travel outside the large cities.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the eTA? The Government of Canada lists 7 Canadian dollars.

How long does it take? The government says most applications are approved within minutes, but allow 72 hours.

Do I need an eTA if I drive across the border? The FCDO says no eTA is needed for people arriving by land or sea with acceptable documents. Check your case.

Can I bring cannabis? No, not across the border without a Health Canada permit or exemption.

Does an eTA guarantee entry? No. An officer decides admissibility at arrival.

Sources (consulted on 10 November 2026)

• Government of Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, eTA pages.
• Canada Border Services Agency, "Travel documents" page.
• GOV.UK, FCDO travel advice for Canada: entry requirements, safety and security, and health pages.