Do you want to know if an eTA Canada is required for a minor child? Find out the answer here and the procedure to follow to obtain it.
While all adult travellers to Canada naturally need to have an official eTA to stay in the country, the question arises as to whether this eTA is necessary for a minor child. On this page we will explain whether you need an eTA Canada for a minor child and whether this document is really necessary. We will also explain how to apply for an eTA for your child.
Canadian law states that children are subject to the same requirements for entering the country as adults. They must therefore have a passport and a legal entry permit such as a visa or an eTA.
The eTA is therefore a mandatory document for all minors, regardless of age.
As we will see below, the procedure for applying for an eTA for a child can also be done directly online. It is of course the legal guardians of the child's parents who are responsible for this procedure. Children are also eligible to apply for a traditional visa if they do not meet the eligibility requirements for this eTA.
A minor child cannot of course apply for an eTA online on his/her own. It is up to the child's legal parents or guardians to apply for an eTA using the form on the official website or on a recognised intermediary website such as the one we recommend on this website.
On this form you will need to fill in a number of details about your child and the trip to Canada, including
Once you have completed the eTA application form for your child, you will need to pay the application fee by credit card. This fee is the same as for an application for a residence permit for an adult.
In addition to a residence permit such as an eTA or visa, a minor child who wishes to travel to Canada must also have several other legal documents with him/her.
They will of course need their own passport as it will not be possible to use a parent's passport, even if their details are on it.
A minor travelling alone should also have a copy of his or her birth certificate, as well as a letter of authorisation to leave the country signed by both parents or by the legal guardian.
A child travelling with only one parent must also have their own passport and a copy of their birth certificate and a signed letter of authorisation from the second parent giving their address, telephone number and a copy of their passport or identity card with the parents' signatures.
For divorced parents with alternating custody who are travelling with one of their children, it would also be necessary to have a copy of the custody order with them. It should also be noted that a minor child travelling with a legal guardian or with adoptive parents must have a copy of the legal guardianship or adoption documents in their possession.
Finally, for minors travelling with someone other than a parent or legal guardian, a letter of authorisation signed by both parents or legal guardians to supervise the child is required. This letter must also mention the addresses and telephone numbers of the parents or legal guardians and it is also necessary to attach a copy of their identity card with their signature.
All of these documents may be requested at border crossings, once in Canada, to verify that the child is safe with the accompanying adults.
Of course, applying for an eTA Canada for several children at the same time is possible and can be a practical way of simplifying the process for families travelling together. The eTA Canada is an electronic travel authorisation required by nationals of visa-exempt countries when travelling to Canada by air. This authorisation is essential, even for children, to enter Canada.
When it comes to applying for an eTA for several children, there are two common approaches. The first is to include all the children at the request of a parent or legal guardian. This means that the eTA application will include the whole family travelling together. This option is convenient as it allows all applications to be grouped under one major application. It is important to ensure that all information relating to each child is correct and complete when submitting the grouped application.
The second option is to submit individual applications for each child separately. Although this can be a little more tedious as each application has to be completed individually, it also allows you to have separate applications for each child. This can be useful if the children are not all travelling at the same time or if their personal situations are different.
When submitting applications, it is essential to provide accurate and complete information for each child, including full names, dates of birth and other identifying details. In addition, it is advisable to submit eTA applications well in advance of the intended travel date, as applications can take a few days or more to process.
In summary, it is perfectly possible to apply for a Canada eTA for several children at the same time, either by grouping their applications under one major application or by submitting individual applications. This flexibility allows families to simplify the application process while ensuring that each child meets the requirements for entry to Canada.
A minor child cannot apply for an eTA online alone. In order to be legally recognised, the application for an eTA for Canada must be made by a person of legal age and in this case, by the legal guardian or parent of the travelling child.
In addition to having a legal authorization to stay in Canada, a child of legal age who wishes to travel to Canada must also have his or her own passport. It will not be possible to present their parents' passport, even if their details are on it. If your child does not yet have a passport in his/her name, you should take this step several weeks before applying for an eTA so that you have his/her passport number to quote on the application.
The eTA Canada will not work for minor children wishing to study in Canada. In fact, in order to follow a course of study in a Canadian school, it will be necessary to obtain a specific visa called a study visa. This visa should be requested from the Canadian consulate or embassy in your country of residence.
