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Canadian passport · United Kingdom

Do Canadians need a visa for the UK?

By the Visa Almanac editorial teamChange logUpdated 6 Nov 2026

In brief

No visa, but an online authorisation: Canadian passport holders need an online travel authorisation before they travel to the UK (up to 6 months per visit).

UK ETA fee for Canadians: A UK ETA costs £20, whether you apply online or in the UK ETA app, and it is not refunded. ≈ CAD 38 at the ECB rate of . Official fee. Source: UK Home Office, checked .

UK ETA processing time for Canadians: You usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days, and you must wait for it before you travel. Source: UK Home Office, checked .

ETANL 1.1. Nationalities of the following locations (including countries and associated territories) are subject to the requirement to obtain an ETA for travel to the UK, pursuant to Appendix Electronic Travel AuthorisationUK Home Office (Immigration Rules)

Checked 6 Nov 2026Source: UK Home Office (Immigration Rules)Apply only at apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.ukReport a change

Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

ContentsIn brief
  1. In brief
  2. At a glance
  3. Do Canadians need a visa?
  4. Visa types
  5. How to apply
  6. Fee
  7. Processing time
  8. Documents
  9. What changed
  10. FAQ
  11. Sources

At a glance

AccessETA · up to 6 months per visit
StayUp to 6 months per visit
Validity and entriesAn ETA lasts 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner, and covers any number of trips.2
Official feeA UK ETA costs £20, whether you apply online or in the UK ETA app, and it is not refunded.2The ETA fee rose from £16 to £20 from 8 April 2026.3
Official processingYou usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days, and you must wait for it before you travel.2
Where to applyApply in the UK ETA app, which scans your passport and face, or online on GOV.UK if you cannot use the app.2Official site: apply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk

Do Canadians need a visa for the UK?

The UK Home Office (Immigration Rules) lists Canada among the countries whose nationals need an online travel authorisation before they travel. Stay: up to 6 months per visit.

“ETANL 1.1. Nationalities of the following locations (including countries and associated territories) are subject to the requirement to obtain an ETA for travel to the UK, pursuant to Appendix Electronic Travel Authorisation”

UK Home Office (Immigration Rules) · checked

Conditions and exceptions

  • You also need an ETA when changing planes in the UK if you pass through UK border control.

    You need an ETA if you’re passing through border control at a UK airport before continuing your onward journey.UK Home Office · checked

UK visa types for Canadians

  • An ETA lasts 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner, and covers any number of trips.

    UK Home Office · checked

  • An ETA lets you visit the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to 6 months, for tourism, visiting family or certain other reasons.

    UK Home Office · checked

How to apply

  1. Apply in the UK ETA app, which scans your passport and face, or online on GOV.UK if you cannot use the app.

    UK Home Office · checked

Fee

  • A UK ETA costs £20, whether you apply online or in the UK ETA app, and it is not refunded.

    UK Home Office · checked

  • The ETA fee rose from £16 to £20 from 8 April 2026.

    UK Visas and Immigration · checked

These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.

Processing time

  • You usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days, and you must wait for it before you travel.

    UK Home Office · checked

Documents and entry checks

Not stated by the official sources we read, beyond a valid passport.

What changed

  1. Canadians have needed an ETA for travel to the UK since 8 January 2025. UK Home Office · checked
  2. Since 25 February 2026 the ETA is enforced: visitors from Canada and the other ETA countries cannot legally travel to the UK without one, and carriers check before departure. Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration · checked
  3. The ETA fee rose from £16 to £20 from 8 April 2026. UK Visas and Immigration · checked
  4. Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.

FAQ

Is the UK visa-free for Canadians now?

There is no visa, but Canadians need an online travel authorisation before they travel (up to 6 months per visit).

How much does a UK visa cost for Canadians?

A UK ETA costs £20, whether you apply online or in the UK ETA app, and it is not refunded. The ETA fee rose from £16 to £20 from 8 April 2026.

Can I get a UK visa in 7 days?

You usually get a decision by email within a day, but it can take up to 3 working days, and you must wait for it before you travel.

Sources

Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.

  1. UK Home Office (Immigration Rules): entry rule and changesgov.uk · checked
  2. UK Home Office (GOV.UK): fees, visa types, processing time and how to applygov.uk · checked
  3. UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office immigration and nationality fees, GOV.UK): changesgov.uk · checked
  4. UK Home Office (GOV.UK): visa types and entry conditionsgov.uk · checked
  5. Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration (GOV.UK news, 24 November 2025): changesgov.uk · checked
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Visa Almanac is an independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

Rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source linked on each page before you travel.