Canada eTA for Brazilian Citizens
Citizens of Brazil who plan to fly to Canada need an approved Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before they board. This guide explains who needs one, how the application process works, what to prepare, what happens after you apply, and what to expect when you arrive in Canada. Read through the sections most relevant to your journey, or work through from the start to get a complete picture of the requirement and the steps involved.
Eligibility
Eligible Travel Mode
Maximum Validity
Processing Fee
Eligibility: Do Brazilian Citizens Need a Canada eTA?
Conditional Eligibility with Three Requirements
Citizens of Brazil with specific documentation may be eligible to apply for an eTA for air travel to Canada. Eligibility is conditional and requires ALL THREE of the following:
Requirement 1: Either: (a) held a Canadian visitor visa within the past 10 years (visa may now be expired), OR (b) currently hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa on the date of application.
Requirement 2: Plan a temporary stay in Canada (normally up to six months).
Requirement 3: Travel to Canada by air OR transit through a Canadian airport.
Important: Citizenship from Brazil alone is NOT sufficient. You must meet all three requirements. Passport alone is insufficient for non-air entry.
Your Conditional Eligibility
Brazilian citizens with the required documentation can apply for an eTA to fly to Canada. This requirement applies to citizens of Brazil traveling on a passport issued by Brazil for air travel to or transiting through Canada, provided all three eligibility requirements are met. The eTA is an electronic authorization separate from the passport, and it must be approved before you board your flight.
Two Different Situations: Past Visa History vs. Currently Valid Visa
Held a Canadian Visitor Visa Within the Past 10 Years
If you previously held a Canadian visitor visa, it may satisfy the conditional eligibility requirement even if that visa has expired. You do not need a currently valid Canadian visa to qualify for the conditional eTA. A past visa from within the 10-year window is sufficient to meet Requirement 1, provided you also meet Requirements 2 and 3.
Currently Hold a Valid Canadian Visitor Visa
If you already hold a currently valid Canadian visitor visa, you do not need an eTA to fly to Canada. You should continue using that valid visitor visa for your travel. Apply for an eTA only if your current visa has expired or will expire before your trip. Do not apply for an unnecessary eTA if you already have a valid visa that permits your visit.
✓ When an eTA Is Generally Required
- ✓ Flying to Canada on a Brazilian passport
- ✓ Connecting through a Canadian airport
- ✓ Tourism and holidays
- ✓ Visiting family or friends in Canada
- ✓ Short business visits
✗ Land or Sea Entry: Different Rules
- ✗ Arriving by car or bus
- ✗ Arriving by train
- ✗ Arriving by boat or cruise ship
WARNING: A CANADIAN VISITOR VISA IS REQUIRED for car, bus, train, boat, or ferry entry. eTA alone is NOT sufficient. Passport alone is NOT sufficient.
Dual Brazilian Citizens and Canadian Permanent Residents
Dual Canadian citizens generally need a valid Canadian passport to fly to Canada. Canadian citizenship, whether sole or dual, requires travel with appropriate Canadian documentation.
Canadian permanent residents do not need an eTA or a visitor visa. They must travel with appropriate Canadian permanent-resident travel documentation, such as a valid PR card or an applicable permanent resident travel document.
U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents
U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement. They should carry appropriate identification such as a valid U.S. passport.
U.S. lawful permanent residents (green-card holders) represent a distinct immigration status. A U.S. green card is proof of lawful permanent-resident status, not a U.S. non-immigrant visa. U.S. lawful permanent residents are separately exempt from the eTA requirement and should follow the travel document rules that apply to U.S. permanent residents. They must carry valid proof of permanent-resident status along with acceptable travel documentation from their country of nationality.
Verify Your Passport and Prepare Your Application
Confirm Your Brazilian Passport
Confirm your passport was issued by the Government of Brazil. Ensure it will remain valid throughout your trip; if expiration is approaching, consider renewing before applying. The eTA is linked to your specific passport and expires when it does. Most commonly, passport validity should extend at least six months beyond your return date. If you renew your passport after applying for an eTA, you must apply for a new eTA before traveling with the new passport.
Gather Your Information Accurately
Locate your passport number, full name, and date of birth. Have your passport open while completing the application. Your name must match the passport exactly, including spelling, capitalization, middle names, hyphens, and accented characters. Copy information directly from the passport data page rather than from memory. Name mismatches are a common source of application errors and border complications. Double-check every detail: name, passport number, birth date, and validity dates. Characters like O and 0 or I and 1 are frequently confused when typing.
When an eTA Is Required and When It Is Not
Flying or Connecting Through Canada
You need an approved eTA to board any aircraft to Canada or to connect through a Canadian airport, regardless of your final destination. The eTA requirement applies to all air segments. Review your complete booking to confirm no Canadian airports appear in your itinerary. Do not purchase non-refundable tickets until you have received your eTA approval, as refusal would leave you without recourse. Keep your approval notice with your travel documents.
Arriving by Land or Sea
CRITICAL: A CANADIAN VISITOR VISA IS REQUIRED
If you plan to enter Canada by car, bus, train, boat, or cruise ship, you MUST hold a valid Canadian visitor visa. An eTA does not cover land or sea entry. Passport alone is insufficient.
For non-air entry, carry your passport and supporting documentation. The border officer will determine your admission and authorized stay based on your purpose, documentation, and responses to questions.
Application Timeline
Processing times vary. Apply several weeks before your departure to allow time for additional review if needed. Never apply on the same day as your flight. Applying early gives you buffer time to address any issues and make alternative arrangements if necessary.
Complete and Submit Your Application
Step 1: Review Your Itinerary and Passport
Identify every airport in your journey. If any segment connects through Canada, you need an eTA. Verify you hold a valid Brazilian passport that will remain valid through your travel dates.
Step 2: Gather Your Information
Have your Brazilian passport open while completing the application. Copy information directly from the passport: full name, passport number, date of birth, place of birth, residential address, email, telephone number, and employment details. Ensure exact matches in spelling, capitalization, and accented characters.
Step 3: Complete and Answer Truthfully
Work through the application without interruption. Answer every question fully and honestly. Background questions typically cover medical conditions, criminal history, immigration violations, and security concerns. Dishonest answers lead to refusal, deportation, and permanent bans. Take roughly thirty minutes for the complete process.
Step 4: Review and Submit
Line by line, verify that all details in the summary match your passport exactly. This is your last opportunity to correct mistakes before submission. Then submit the application and pay the $35 Processing Fee using a valid payment card. Save your confirmation email and application reference number for status checks.
After Submission: Processing and Status
You will receive an email notification when your application is processed. Processing times vary; some applications require additional review. Check your status online using your reference number and email address. If approved, the eTA is linked to your passport number and verified electronically at check-in. If additional information is requested, respond promptly. If refused, you will receive an explanation by email. Common reasons include data-entry errors, incomplete information, or background concerns.
eTA Validity and Passport Linkage
How Long Is an eTA Valid?
An approved eTA may remain valid for up to five years or until your Brazilian passport expires, whichever comes first. Check the specific validity dates on your approval notice before traveling. Monitor your passport's expiration date closely, as your eTA will expire with it.
The eTA Is Linked to Your Specific Passport Number
The eTA is electronically linked to the specific Brazilian passport number you provided in the application. At the airline and border, the passport number must match exactly. If you travel with a different passport number, your eTA will not be found in the system and you will not be able to board or enter Canada. If you obtain a new Brazilian passport, you must apply for a new eTA using the new passport number before traveling. If you hold multiple passports, keep careful track of which eTA corresponds to which passport.
At Entry to Canada
When you arrive at a Canadian airport or land border, a border services officer will examine your Brazilian passport. An approved eTA is not a guarantee of admission. The border officer makes the final decision based on your circumstances, documentation, and answers to questions. Answer honestly and clearly. The officer will determine your authorized stay, normally up to six months but may be shorter. Your authorized stay is noted in your passport. Overstaying violates Canadian immigration law. Carry supporting documentation: return ticket, proof of funds, accommodation details, letters of invitation, or business confirmations. These help the officer assess your admissibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Application Errors
Name and Passport Number Mismatches
The eTA system performs exact character matching. Copy your name directly from your passport including all middle names, hyphens, and accented characters. Passport numbers must be entered exactly as they appear; a single digit error prevents the system from finding your eTA. Characters like O and 0 or I and 1 are frequently confused. Take time to verify each character multiple times before submitting.
Date Entry Errors
Enter dates in the format requested by the application. An error in your date of birth could flag your application. Passport expiration dates are critical; entering an expiration date in the past or significantly in the future may cause rejection or review.
Supporting Documentation to Carry
Carry your original passport and your eTA approval notice (printed or on your phone). Additionally, carry documentation that establishes your purpose for travel: hotel reservations, flight itineraries, letters of invitation from Canadian contacts, business meeting confirmations, or evidence of enrollment. Border officers may ask for proof of sufficient funds to support yourself. Carry bank statements, credit card proof, or other financial documentation. Also carry evidence of your return travel plans, such as a return airline ticket or onward travel documentation. This demonstrates your intention to leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay and helps establish your credibility as a visitor.
Summary
You need an approved eTA to fly to Canada or connect through Canadian airports. Land or sea entry requires a Canadian visitor visa. Apply well before your departure date and do not purchase non-refundable tickets until you have eTA approval.
The eTA is linked to your specific passport number. The Processing Fee is $35, charged once per application regardless of outcome. An approved eTA may remain valid up to five years or until your passport expires, whichever is sooner.
eTA approval is not a guarantee of admission. The border officer makes the final decision at entry. Visitors are normally permitted stays of up to six months, but the authorized period is determined at entry.