Who needs it?
Canadian citizens visiting the UK for permitted short stays generally need an ETA unless exempt or already holding UK permission. A traveller who needs a visitor visa must use the visa route instead.
For Canadians heading to the UK, the key questions are whether you need an ETA or a visa, what the ETA costs, and what to check before you book.
Globalduniya keeps UK ETA planning simple: confirm the right route, review passport and timing basics, and avoid last-minute boarding surprises before the trip is booked.
Use this practical summary as a starting point, then confirm the live rules and fee on the official authority site before applying.
Canadian citizens visiting the UK for permitted short stays generally need an ETA unless exempt or already holding UK permission. A traveller who needs a visitor visa must use the visa route instead.
ETA is an online travel authorisation, not a visa and not a guarantee of entry. Apply on GOV.UK or the official UK ETA app; no BLS appointment is required.
The current official fee is £20, approximately CAD $35–$40, with no refund after application. Avoid third-party sites that add unnecessary charges.
Most decisions are automated quickly, but GOV.UK advises allowing up to three working days. Apply before travel and wait for confirmation.
Apply online or in the official UK ETA app from BC. The permission is digital and linked to the passport; airline boarding depends on the approval being present.
An ETA normally lasts two years or until the linked passport expires, whichever is sooner, and permits multiple journeys for eligible short visits of up to six months at a time.
Using an unofficial site, applying with an old passport, entering inaccurate suitability information, or assuming ETA guarantees entry are common errors.
Written by Anadi Arora; reviewed by Globalduniya Travel Documentation Team. Last updated August 23, 2026. Rules, fees, and processing times can change.
GOV.UK says the ETA lets eligible travellers visit the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to 6 months, costs GBP 20, and does not guarantee entry.
A quick, practical pass through the most common route questions before you book.
Globalduniya provides travel-document guidance and trip-planning support. We do not guarantee visa approval. Final visa and entry decisions are made by the relevant government, embassy, consulate, border officer, or visa authority.
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