Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system might soon come with a new layer of biometrics. If you’re from a visa-exempt country and used to breezing through the CA$7 online application with just your passport number and a few clicks, that process could get a bit more involved.
Here’s what’s being proposed, and what it means for travelers.
A Simple eTA May Soon Include Photo and Passport Uploads
Right now, getting an eTA to fly into Canada is one of the simplest border procedures around. You fill out a short online form, pay a nominal fee, and you’re good to go in minutes. No documents. No photo. No fuss.
But that simplicity has also left some gaps in identity verification, and Canadian immigration authorities are looking to tighten things up. In their latest Forward Regulatory Plan (2025-2027), the IRCC revealed plans to introduce facial biometrics for visa-exempt travelers applying for an eTA.