British passport · Canada
Do British citizens need a visa for Canada?
In brief
No visa, but an online authorisation: British passport holders need an online travel authorisation before they travel to Canada (6 months).
Canada eTA fee for British citizens: The eTA costs CAN$7, paid online when you apply, and the fee is not refunded. ≈ GBP 3.72 at the ECB rate of . Official fee. Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, checked , read from an archived copy of 19 Oct 2026.
Canada eTA processing time for British citizens: Most eTAs are approved by email within minutes, but some take several days if documents are requested, so get the eTA before you book your flight. Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, checked , read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026.
Conditions: eTA only when flying in; by land or sea a passport is enough.
You need an eTA and a valid passport to board your flight to Canada if you’re a citizen of any of the countries or territories listed below. You don’t need a visitor visa.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Checked 4 Nov 2026Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)Apply only at canada.caReport a change
Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.
ContentsIn brief
At a glance
| Access | ETA · 6 monthseTA only when flying in; by land or sea a passport is enough |
|---|---|
| Stay | 6 months |
| Validity and entries | An eTA is linked to your passport and is valid for up to 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first; a new passport needs a new eTA.3 |
| Official fee | The eTA costs CAN$7, paid online when you apply, and the fee is not refunded.2 |
| Official processing | Most eTAs are approved by email within minutes, but some take several days if documents are requested, so get the eTA before you book your flight.3 |
| Where to apply | Apply online only on the Government of Canada's official eTA page; you need your passport, a credit card and an email address.3Official site: canada.ca |
Do British citizens need a visa for Canada?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) lists the UK among the countries whose nationals need an online travel authorisation before they travel. Stay: 6 months. Conditions: eTA only when flying in; by land or sea a passport is enough.
“You need an eTA and a valid passport to board your flight to Canada if you’re a citizen of any of the countries or territories listed below. You don’t need a visitor visa.”
Canada visa types for British citizens
An eTA is linked to your passport and is valid for up to 5 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first; a new passport needs a new eTA.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026With a valid eTA you can visit Canada as often as you like for short stays, normally of up to 6 months at a time.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026
How to apply
Apply online only on the Government of Canada's official eTA page; you need your passport, a credit card and an email address.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026
Fee
The eTA costs CAN$7, paid online when you apply, and the fee is not refunded.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 19 Oct 2026
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
Most eTAs are approved by email within minutes, but some take several days if documents are requested, so get the eTA before you book your flight.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 24 Oct 2026
Documents and entry checks
What changed
- Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.
FAQ
Is Canada visa-free for British citizens now?
There is no visa, but British citizens need an online travel authorisation before they travel (6 months). Conditions: eTA only when flying in; by land or sea a passport is enough.
How much does a Canada visa cost for British citizens?
The eTA costs CAN$7, paid online when you apply, and the fee is not refunded.
Can I get a Canada visa in 7 days?
Most eTAs are approved by email within minutes, but some take several days if documents are requested, so get the eTA before you book your flight.
Other trips on a British passport
Sources
Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): entry rule and documents
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): fees
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): visa types, processing time and how to apply
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): documents