If you hold a British passport and are searching for Canada visitor visa processing times, the short answer is: UK citizens do not need a visitor visa for Canada. What you need instead is an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when flying, and IRCC currently processes eTAs in about 5 minutes.
This article explains how the eTA works, what it costs, what to do if your application requires additional review, and what the eTA does and does not allow you to do during your stay in Canada.
Visitor Visa vs. eTA: What UK Citizens Need
Canada divides visitors into two groups based on nationality. Citizens of countries that do not have visa-free access to Canada must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), commonly called a visitor visa. Citizens of visa-exempt countries, including the United Kingdom, are not required to obtain a TRV.
However, visa-exempt nationals who travel to Canada by air must hold a valid Electronic Travel Authorization linked to their passport. The eTA is an electronic approval stored in IRCC's system and tied to your passport number. There is no physical stamp or sticker. When you check in for your flight, the airline verifies your eTA automatically.
If you are traveling to Canada by land or sea (driving across the US border, for example, or arriving by cruise ship), you do not need an eTA. A valid British passport is sufficient for entry by land or water.
eTA Processing Time in 2026
According to the IRCC processing times tool, eTAs are currently approved in about 5 minutes for most applicants. The eTA application is automated and most approvals happen immediately after submission.
The official IRCC guidance recommends applying at least 72 hours before departure. The reason is that a small percentage of applications are not approved automatically and instead go into additional review, which can take several business days. If your application is straightforward and your travel document is valid, you are unlikely to experience a delay. But applying the day of your flight is not something IRCC advises.
How to Apply for a Canadian eTA
The application is entirely online and takes under 10 minutes to complete.
- Go to the official IRCC eTA application page at canada.ca.
- Enter your British passport number, personal details, and answer a few background questions.
- Pay the C$7 fee by credit or debit card.
- Receive an email confirmation with your eTA number once approved.
Your eTA is linked to the specific passport you used when applying. If you renew your British passport before traveling, you will need to apply for a new eTA linked to your new passport number. The old eTA does not transfer.
An approved eTA is valid for up to five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Within that validity period you can enter Canada as many times as you like. Each entry allows a stay of up to six months, though a border officer determines the exact duration at the point of entry.
If Your eTA Goes to Additional Review
IRCC may flag a small number of applications for additional review. This typically happens when there is a name match with a watch list, a discrepancy in travel document information, or a prior immigration history that requires manual assessment.
If your application is flagged, you will receive an email asking you to upload supporting documents, such as a copy of your passport photo page or evidence of ties to the UK. The review can take a few business days to a few weeks depending on the nature of the inquiry. IRCC will not tell you precisely why your application was flagged.
If you have a prior refusal of a Canadian visa, a prior removal order, or a criminal conviction anywhere in the world, apply well in advance of your trip to give time for the review to complete. In some cases, you may be directed to apply for a visitor visa (TRV) rather than an eTA, even as a UK citizen.
What the eTA Does Not Authorize
Working in Canada. An eTA or standard tourist entry does not give you permission to work in Canada. Working without authorization is a serious immigration violation. If you plan to work in Canada, you need a valid work permit before you begin employment.
Studying in Canada. Programs under six months may be possible without a study permit in some circumstances, but any program longer than six months requires a study permit applied for before arrival or in some cases at the port of entry. An eTA alone is not sufficient.
Permanent residence. A visit to Canada does not contribute to permanent residence eligibility. If you are interested in immigrating to Canada, the process runs through separate programs: Express Entry for skilled workers, family sponsorship, provincial nominee programs, and others.
UK Citizens and the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program
If you are a UK citizen between 18 and 35 years old and want to work in Canada, the International Experience Canada program may be available to you. The UK is one of the participating countries in IEC, which includes a Working Holiday category that allows open work authorization in Canada for up to 24 months.
IEC slots are limited and allocated by draw through a pool system. Processing time for IEC applications is currently about 5 weeks from submission. IEC is a separate program from tourist entry and requires a specific application and fee beyond the standard eTA.
Extending a Visit Inside Canada
If you are already in Canada on a visitor entry and want to stay longer than the period granted by the border officer, you must apply for a Visitor Record before your authorized stay expires. A Visitor Record is a document extending your legal status as a visitor in Canada and is applied for from within the country.
Overstaying your authorized period without a valid Visitor Record or approved extension is a status violation that can affect future travel to and immigration applications in Canada.
Applied through Up Immigration? We're already watching.
Our team monitors every active application on a regular basis. If IRCC requests documents, updates your portal status, or issues a decision, you will hear from us first.
When to Book a Consultation
For a standard tourist visit, most UK citizens do not need professional immigration advice. The eTA application is straightforward and the process is largely automated.
A consultation becomes relevant if your eTA was refused or flagged for additional review, if you have a prior immigration history in Canada that complicates entry, if you are considering a longer-term plan such as a work permit, study permit, or permanent residence, or if your visit involves a mix of tourism and remote work for a foreign employer.
If any of those situations apply to you, book a consultation with Larissa. She can review your specific circumstances and advise on the correct approach before you travel.
