UK ETA for Canadians: Cost, Requirements & How to Apply (2026)

Last Updated: May 2026

As of February 25, 2026, every Canadian traveling to the United Kingdom needs an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding a flight, ferry, or Eurostar. The fee is £20 (approximately C$34), the authorization is valid for 2 years with unlimited trips, and most applications are approved within minutes. The previous visa-free entry without pre-authorization is no longer available — even for short tourist trips.

This guide focuses on Canada-specific UK ETA requirements. For the general overview that applies to all 85 visa-exempt nationalities, see our complete UK ETA guide.

Do Canadians Need a UK ETA?

Yes. Since February 25, 2026, every Canadian passport holder traveling to the United Kingdom as a visitor must have an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before boarding. This is enforced by airlines and rail operators at check-in — without an approved ETA, you won’t be allowed to board.

Before February 25, 2026, Canadians could fly to the UK with just a valid passport. That changed. The UK ETA is now mandatory for all short visits — tourism, business, family visits, or transit through UK border control. There is no grace period and no exceptions for short stays.

If you’ve ever helped a friend apply for the Canada eTA to visit Canada from abroad, the UK ETA works almost exactly the same way. It’s a pre-screening system that checks travelers against security databases before allowing boarding. It’s not a visa, but you can’t board a UK-bound flight without one.

How Much Does a UK ETA Cost in CAD?

The UK ETA costs £20, which is approximately C$33–35 CAD depending on current exchange rates. This price has been in effect since April 8, 2026, when the fee increased from £16. The cost is the same whether you apply directly through the UK government or through a service like iVisa (which adds its own service fee on top).

Payment is made online using a credit or debit card. To avoid foreign transaction fees from your Canadian bank, use a credit card with no FX markup. Most travel rewards cards (Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite, HSBC World Elite Mastercard, Brim Financial cards) qualify.

How Canadians Apply for a UK ETA — Step by Step

The application takes most Canadians under 10 minutes from start to finish. Here’s exactly what to do:

1. Choose your application method. Canadians have three options:

• The official UK ETA app (Apple App Store, Google Play) — recommended by the UK government because it can scan your Canadian passport chip directly, reducing data entry errors.
• The official UK government website at GOV.UK/eta.
• A guided service like iVisa — useful for dual citizens, families, or anyone who wants form review and customer support.

2. Have your Canadian passport ready. You’ll need to enter your passport number, expiration date, and other details. The UK government recommends having at least 6 months of validity on your passport before travel.

3. Take a photo of yourself. The app guides you through a passport-style face photo. The web application accepts uploaded photos meeting UK requirements.

4. Answer security screening questions. These cover criminal history, previous immigration issues, and the purpose of your trip. Answer truthfully — false answers cause refusals.

5. Pay £20 by card. You’ll receive an email confirmation with your 16-digit ETA reference number.

6. Wait for the decision. Most Canadians are approved within minutes. Some applications are flagged for manual review (up to 3 working days). The UK government recommends applying at least 3 working days before your flight.

UK ETA vs. Canada eTA: The Comparison Canadians Already Understand

Canadians already have a mental model for this system because Canada operates its own ETA program — the Canada eTA — for visa-exempt travelers entering Canada. The UK ETA works on the same principle. Here’s how they compare:

	UK ETA	Canada eTA
Who needs it	Visa-exempt visitors to UK	Visa-exempt visitors to Canada
Cost	£20 (~C$34)	C$7
Validity	2 years	5 years
Max stay per trip	6 months	6 months
Processing	Minutes — 3 working days	Minutes — 72 hours
Travel purposes	Tourism, business, transit	Tourism, business, transit

The systems are operationally identical — pre-screening, digital, linked to your passport, no physical document. The main practical differences for Canadians: the UK ETA costs more (~C$34 vs C$7), but it lasts 2 years instead of 5, and it allows longer stays (6 months vs 6 months per visit, but the UK is more generous in practice).

One important note: your Canada eTA doesn’t help with the UK ETA. These are two separate systems run by two different countries. Apply for the UK ETA before any trip to Britain.

NEXUS Card Doesn’t Help With UK ETA

Many Canadians ask whether their NEXUS card or Global Entry membership streamlines the UK ETA process. It doesn’t. NEXUS is a US-Canada border program — it has no relationship with UK immigration. Every Canadian needs to apply for the UK ETA separately regardless of any pre-clearance or trusted traveler memberships.

That said, NEXUS may still speed up your US airport experience before catching a connecting flight to London. The UK ETA is what gets you onto the UK-bound flight.

The Heathrow Transit Question Most Canadians Ask

This is one of the most common questions from Canadian travelers connecting through London on their way to continental Europe — and the answer depends on what type of transit you’re doing:

When in doubt, contact your airline before departure. The safest move for Canadians transiting through Heathrow with anything other than a single same-airline itinerary is to apply for the ETA anyway. It’s about C$34 and lasts 2 years.

Driving from Ireland to Northern Ireland: Yes, You Still Need an ETA

Canada has the largest Irish diaspora outside Ireland itself — about 4.6 million Canadians claim Irish heritage. Many use trips to Ireland as an excuse to also visit Northern Ireland for ancestral exploration, the Giant’s Causeway, or Belfast. The common assumption: since the Irish border has no checkpoints, you don’t need a UK ETA. This is wrong.

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. Even though the land border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland has no immigration controls in practice, Canadian citizens are legally required to hold a valid UK ETA when entering Northern Ireland by any means — including driving from the Republic.

If you’re combining Ireland with Northern Ireland on the same trip, apply for the UK ETA before you fly to Dublin.

Dual Citizens: Special Rules for Canadians

Canada has high rates of dual citizenship, particularly among Canadians of British, Irish, and American descent. The UK ETA rules differ depending on your other citizenship:

Canadian + UK citizen: You cannot get a UK ETA. You must travel to the UK on your British passport or with a Certificate of Entitlement. If you only carry a Canadian passport but are eligible for British citizenship through descent, contact the British High Commission about your options.

Canadian + Irish citizen: You don’t need a UK ETA. Irish citizens are exempt under the Common Travel Area agreement. Travel to the UK on your Irish passport.

Canadian + American citizen: Both passports require a UK ETA. Travel on whichever passport you used for your ETA application — your ETA is linked to one specific passport number.

Canadian + EU citizen (e.g., Polish, Italian, German): Your EU passport requires a UK ETA just like your Canadian one. Apply with whichever passport you’ll be using for the trip.

What’s Covered by One ETA: All Four UK Nations

A single UK ETA covers all four nations of the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You don’t need separate authorizations for trips to Edinburgh, Cardiff, or Belfast. The ETA applies to the entire UK as one country for immigration purposes.

It does NOT cover the Republic of Ireland (a separate country with its own immigration system), the Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey), or the Isle of Man (technically separate jurisdictions, though most Canadians are still allowed visa-free entry there for short visits).

Common Mistakes Canadians Make

Applying through unofficial third-party sites with inflated fees. Some sites charge C$100 or more for what is essentially the £20 UK government application plus their markup. The official UK app and website charge only the £20 government fee. Trusted services like iVisa are transparent about their fee structure — many shady sites are not.

Confusing the ETA with a visa. The ETA is for short visits only. It does not allow you to work, study long-term, or live in the UK. Trying to use an ETA for work-related travel can result in being refused at the border and a 1-5 year entry ban.

Planning to “switch to a visa” after arriving. The UK expects you to obtain the correct visa before entering. Don’t enter on an ETA with plans to apply for a work or student visa from inside the UK.

Forgetting that every traveler needs their own ETA. There are no family applications. A family of four needs four separate ETAs, including babies in arms. You can apply on behalf of each family member.

Renewing your passport and forgetting the ETA is tied to it. The ETA is linked to your specific passport number. If you renew your Canadian passport, you need a new ETA — even if the old one hasn’t expired.

Travel Insurance for Canadians Visiting the UK

The UK doesn’t require Canadians to have travel insurance for visa-exempt entry, but skipping it is a bad idea. Provincial health insurance plans (OHIP in Ontario, MSP in BC, RAMQ in Quebec, etc.) provide minimal or no coverage abroad — typically only emergency care reimbursed at Canadian rates, which means a hospital stay in London could leave you with thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket bills.

Some Canadian credit cards include limited travel medical insurance, but the coverage limits, age restrictions, and exclusions vary widely. For long trips or substantial medical risk, a dedicated travel insurance policy is far safer.

For broader coverage strategy and plan comparisons, see our guide to the best travel insurance for Europe in 2026 — most policies that cover Europe also cover the UK.

Combining a UK Trip with European Travel

Many Canadians visit the UK as part of a broader European trip — London + Paris is one of the most popular Canadian travel itineraries. Important rules to understand:

The UK is not part of the Schengen Area. Time spent in the UK does not count toward your 90-day Schengen limit. This makes the UK an excellent stop in any longer European itinerary.

Starting in Q4 2026, Canadians will also need an ETIAS authorization for the Schengen Area — a separate system from the UK ETA. If you’re planning a trip that includes both the UK and countries like France, Spain, or Italy, you’ll need both authorizations.

Use our free Europe Travel Planner to map out your trip and check entry requirements for every country on your itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Canadian children need a UK ETA?
Yes. Every Canadian passport holder needs an ETA, including babies and children. There are no family applications — each person needs their own ETA. You can apply on behalf of your children from the same device.

How long is the UK ETA valid for Canadians?
The UK ETA is valid for 2 years from the date of approval, or until your Canadian passport expires (whichever comes first). During that 2-year period, you can take unlimited trips to the UK, with each stay lasting up to 6 months.

Does my NEXUS card help with the UK ETA?
No. NEXUS is a US-Canada border preclearance program — it has no relationship with UK immigration. Every Canadian must apply for a UK ETA separately regardless of NEXUS or Global Entry membership.

What happens if my UK ETA application is denied?
There is no appeal process for ETA refusals. Your alternative is to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa, which involves a more detailed application reviewed by a UK Visas and Immigration caseworker. This is a longer and more expensive process. If you believe the denial was based on incorrect information, you can submit a new ETA application.

Can I work in the UK on an ETA?
No. The ETA only authorizes short visits for tourism, business meetings (not paid work), family visits, and short courses. To work in the UK, you need a specific work visa. Working on an ETA is illegal and can result in deportation and future entry bans.

Do I need a UK ETA for a connecting flight through London?
Only if you pass through UK border control. Airside transit (staying in the international transit area without going through immigration) doesn’t require an ETA. Landside transit (collecting bags, changing terminals via landside, or leaving the airport) requires an ETA. If you booked your tickets separately and need to recheck bags in London, you almost certainly need an ETA.

Does my UK ETA cover Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?
Yes. A single UK ETA covers all four nations of the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You don’t need additional authorizations to visit Edinburgh, Cardiff, or Belfast.

Can I apply for a UK ETA at Heathrow when I arrive?
Technically possible (it’s a digital application), but very risky. Most ETAs are approved in minutes, but some applications are flagged for manual review which can take up to 3 working days. Airlines are required to check ETA status before boarding — if you don’t have an approved ETA when you check in for your flight to the UK, you won’t be allowed to board. Apply at least 3 working days before travel.

I have dual Canadian/UK citizenship — do I need a UK ETA?
No. UK citizens (including dual nationals) cannot get a UK ETA. You must travel to the UK on your British passport or with a Certificate of Entitlement. If you only have a Canadian passport but are entitled to British citizenship through descent, contact the British High Commission about your options.

I have dual Canadian/Irish citizenship — do I need a UK ETA?
No. Irish citizens are exempt from the UK ETA under the Common Travel Area agreement. If you hold both Canadian and Irish passports, travel to the UK on your Irish passport.

Is the UK ETA application available in French?
The UK ETA application is available in English only. The UK government does not currently offer a French version of the application or the official ETA app. Canadians who prefer French can use a guided service like iVisa which offers customer support in multiple languages.

Does the UK ETA replace travel insurance?
No. The ETA is just travel authorization. Provincial health insurance plans don’t adequately cover medical care abroad, and credit card travel insurance has significant limitations. For peace of mind and protection against unexpected medical costs, get a separate travel insurance policy.

Related Articles

• UK ETA: Complete Guide (All Nationalities)
• UK ETA for Americans: Complete Guide
• Travel to the United Kingdom: Complete Guide
• ETIAS for Canadians: What Canadian Citizens Need to Know
• ETIAS 2026: Complete Guide
• Best Travel Insurance for Europe
• 90/180-Day Rule Explained
• Europe Travel Planner

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Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. UK entry requirements can change — always verify with official sources at GOV.UK or Global Affairs Canada travel advisories before traveling. Last updated: May 2026.

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