Indian summer, maple syrup and wide-open spaces – Canada is a magnificent country that attracts over 20 million visitors every year.
To protect the country from the many arrivals, the Canadian government has introduced ETA Canada, an electronic travel authorization designed to strengthen the country’s internal security and promote Canadian tourism.
This electronic travel authorization, introduced in 2016 by the Canadian government, was of course inspired by ESTA, created by the American government in 2009 to facilitate the filtering of travel authorization requests to the USA. That’s why many people call it ESTA Canada instead of ETA or AVE in French. This Canada tourist visa is obtained online and allows you to stay in Canada for 6 months at a time. Obtaining this electronic authorization is very simple, and is done entirely over the Internet.
Does the ESTA Canada form have the same criteria and formalities as ESTA? Here’s how.
Features of ESTA Canada
To avoid confusion, ESTA Canada is not the official name of the travel authorization. ESTA Canada is called the AVE (or eTA in English).
If you’ve already ordered an ESTA, you won’t be totally lost when it comes to ordering an AVE, because ESTA Canada and USA have virtually the same features, apart from a few details.
First and foremost, for security reasons, the AVE does not guarantee entry into Canada. Only the customs service will decide whether or not you are eligible.
Who can apply for an AVE?
If you’re traveling to Canada by car, bus, train or boat, you don’t need to apply for an ESTA Canada.
Here are the AVE eligibility requirements:
- be a national of one of the member countries of the visa waiver scheme (France is one of them).
- travelling to Canada by air ;
- go to Canada for a temporary stay (tourist visit) and not to live or work there;
- Have a valid biometric or electronic passport;
Please note: U.S. permanent residents must also apply for an AVE to fly to Canada (in addition to their green card).
How long is an AVE valid for?
Unlike the ESTA for a stay in the USA, the AVE allows you to stay in Canada for a maximum of 6 months (as opposed to 90 days for the USA).
As for the total period of validity, the AVE authorization remains valid for 5 years, compared with 2 years for the ESTA.
Please note that if your passport expires, you will have to renew your ESTA application with your new passport. Since ESTA Canada authorization and passport number go hand in hand, you won’t be able to travel to Canada without a valid passport.
Fill in the online AVE form
Another difference between the ESTA USA and the AVE is that group orders are not possible with the ESTA Canada. If you want to travel with family or friends, you can only order one AVE at a time.
To fill out the AVE correctly, you need your electronic or biometric passport, a payment card, a valid e-mail address and concentration!
If you make a mistake in copying your passport number, or in your personal information, you will receive a negative response from IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship) to your request for travel authorization.
How do I get an AVE?
You don’t need to go to an American or Canadian embassy to apply for ESTA.
To apply for ESTA Canada, simply visit the official Canadian government website or a private site. The latter collects, examines and sends your data to the Canadian authorities, to avoid refusal.
Once you have submitted the form, you will receive an initial e-mail acknowledging receipt, followed by a second e-mail containing the reply to your AVE request.
Once your application has been approved, the ESTA Canada will be linked directly to your valid passport. There’s no need to print out your AVE, just present your passport.
What to do if you are refused
Don’t worry, if you’re turned down, your dream of going to Canada and watching the northern lights won’t be shattered!
You can apply for a visa at the Canadian embassy or consulate general, although obtaining a Canada visa involves longer and more costly formalities.
There are a number of visas available to enable you to work, study, find an internship or live in Canada. For more information, visit the Canadian government website or contact the Canadian embassy directly.
We wish you a pleasant journey!
