Canada eTA for Thai passport holders: who qualifies, the air-only rule, applying safely and when you need a full visa

A Canada eTA replaces the visitor visa only for some Thai passport holders: those who fly to Canada and either hold a valid US non-immigrant visa or held a Canadian visitor visa in the last 10 years. IRCC's expanded eTA covers air travel only, so arriving by car, bus, train or ship still needs a full visa.

Can Thai citizens use a Canada eTA instead of a visa?

Yes, in some cases. IRCC's expanded eTA (eTA-X) eligibility page, dated July 27, 2026, lists 17 normally visa-required countries, and Thailand is one of them; Indonesia and Malaysia are marked as new. An eTA is an electronic travel authorization linked to your passport, not a visa placed in it.

Who qualifies for a Canada eTA with a US visa?

You must meet every condition in this table, as set out on IRCC's expanded eTA eligibility page. If you miss any one of them, apply for a visitor visa instead.

Why does the eTA work only for flights?

Because IRCC opens the expanded eTA to air travellers only. IRCC states that arriving by car, bus, train, boat or cruise ship requires a visitor visa, even if you already have an eTA.

• Driving or taking a bus from Seattle to Vancouver needs a visa.
• Flying into Canada, crossing to the US, then re-entering Canada by land needs a visa.
• A cruise that calls at Canadian ports needs a visa.
• For trips that mix air and land, IRCC recommends getting a visa.

How do you apply for a Canada eTA safely?

Apply only on the Government of Canada's own eTA page. IRCC calls it "the Government of Canada's official website to apply for an eTA" and warns that third-party sites charge extra.

1. 1Check eligibilityAnswer the questions on IRCC's eTA eligibility page before you start the form.
2. 2Open the official pageType canada.ca yourself or start from IRCC's pages; do not click ads in search results.
3. 3Enter passport detailsEnter your passport number and US visa details exactly, because the eTA links to this passport.
4. 4Pay the feePay by card on the official page; check the current fee on the official site first.
5. 5Watch your emailIRCC says most applications are approved within minutes; if more documents are needed, IRCC emails you within 72 hours.

When do you need a visitor visa instead of an eTA?

Do you need a new eTA with a new passport?

Yes. IRCC says an eTA is electronically linked to one passport, so a new passport needs a new eTA. If the Canadian visa you rely on is in an old passport, carry that old passport too. Check how long your eTA stays valid on canada.ca before travelling.

Why keep mobile data during an eTA trip?

Because everything about an eTA is digital and nothing is placed in your passport, being able to reach your email and documents on your phone keeps the trip on track.

• Keep the eTA confirmation email and a photo of your US visa page on your phone in case the airline or an officer asks.
• On a connection at YYZ or YVR, check gates and airline messages in the app.
• After landing you need data for maps and contacting your stay; a Canada eSIM set up before departure works as soon as you land.

Set up Canada data before you board