Canada eTA for Polish citizens: Requirements & Eligibility

If you are looking for a destination to visit, Canada is a great place for your trip. As the second-largest country in the world, you can see wonderful landscapes in person in Canada. If you love romance, you will fall in love with a maple leaf forest or roads covered with maple leaves in autumn in Canada. If you wish to join adventure activities in autumn, Canada will never make you upset. It is absolutely a must-visit destination for everyone.

Visa application is a major part when traveling overseas. Nowadays, to develop international tourism, the Canadian Government has launched new visa policies. In this article, we will introduce to you the Canada eTA visa, a new travel authorization program for Canada. 

Canada eTA for Polish citizens

1. Check Canada ETA/visa requirements for Polish citizens

What is a Canada eTA visa for Polish citizens?

The Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is not a visa, but a digital entry requirement for citizens of visa-exempt countries, including Poland. It was officially introduced by the Canadian Government in 2016 to simplify travel and enhance border security. To be honest, this is a good solution for both the Canadian Government and passport holders, thanks to its convenience. With an eTA, travelers can apply entirely online without visiting an embassy or submitting paper documents, making the process faster and more convenient. Besides, this is a response of the Canadian government to the global increase in terrorist activities.

Nevertheless, you should check the new updates of visa rules to know if you are eligible for Canada eTA visa.

Check Canada ETA rules in 2026

According to the Canada eTA rules in 2026, only eligible countries are allowed to apply for it. Eligible countries are countries that belong to the exemption country list for Canada visas. Besides, if you are a US citizen with a US green card, you are also eligible. Moreover, other requirements of Canada eTA comprise:

• When approved, the eTA is stored electronically against the passport in the Canada Immigration system. 
• For each valid eTA, you can use it for no longer than 5 years. It also depends on the expiry time of your passport; if you change your passport, you have to get a new eTA.
• You can enter Canada multiple times within 5 years without re-applying for another visa as a multiple-entry visa.
• Per visit trip, permitted staying-time is for a maximum of 6 months.
• Allowable purposes include travel, leisure activities, business trip, or medical treatment. No visa is required for transit purposes.
• The eTA is required only for travelers entering Canada by air
• The applicant must be over 18 years of age to apply. Otherwise, the parents or lawful guardians of the applicant do that instead.

Do Polish citizens need a visa to Canada? 

No. Poland is a country belonging to the exemption country list for Canada visas. Therefore, Polish nationals are eligible to apply. When entering Canada, Polish nationals need to have a valid eTA.

In cases you can not meet the requirements of the Canada eTA , consider applying for a regular visa for Canada at Canadian Embassy in Poland.

Requirements of Canada eTA for Polish citizens

2. How to apply for a visa waiver to Canada for Polish citizens? 

What are the required documents for the Canada eTA application?

Good preparation will result in an advantageous application. We hope you take the time to prepare the required documents below:

• The Polish passport is valid for at least six months.
• The current email address is to receive the official visa.
• The payment methods you prefer are debit/credit card or PayPal accounts.

Step-by-step instructions on applying for a Canada visa waiver for Polish citizens

Follow the instructions to apply effectively. The process includes 04 simple steps of applying for a Canada ETA

• Fill in and submit the application form online.
• Make a payment for your services.
• Receive a Canada eTA via an email address after processing.
• You don’t receive a physical stamp. The eTA is automatically linked to your passport and verified by airline and border systems electronically.

We would like to remind you that you should bring the relevant documents, such as your national passport and green card to the international airport for the border officials to check your eligibility. In some cases, you can be denied entry even if you own a valid eTA, if you show that you are having problems with finance and health, or if you have previous criminal/terrorist history or immigration issues in the past.

3. How long does it take to get an eta visa in Canada?

Canada eTA has the same purposes as a regular Canada visa, but the processing time is quicker. After you finish the application form online, it’s typical your visa will be mailed to you within under 72 hours or quicker. We have flexible timing options for your demands below:

• Normal: Your eTA visa is processed within 03 business days.
• Urgent: Your eTA is processed within 48 business hours.
• Super urgent: Your eTA is processed within 24 business hours.

Processing usually takes less than 72 hours, but it’s recommended to apply at least three days before your flight to avoid unexpected delays. In cases the processing time is longer than we expect, we sincerely hope you are patient to wait. We will try our best to solve it.

How long does it take to get an eTA in Canada from Poland?

4. How much does an eTA for Canada cost?

The Canada eTA fees for Polish citizens comprise 02 types of fees: Canada Government fees and visa service fees.

Both are paid prior to processing time. The service fee depends on the type of service we presented before (Normal, Urgent, Super Urgent). Consider carefully before making decisions. Any modifications after payment will be charged as a new order. 

Regarding payment methods, we approve bank transfers or digital payments. Choose one method you prefer such as PayPal, Visa, Master Card, and American Express.

Read more about the Canada eTA fees for Polish citizens

When you travel to a new country, we recommend you buy Travel Insurance. This is a protective and necessary tool for your trip. The insurance helps you to lessen the associated expenditures while traveling when you experience concerns with accidents, pandemics, illness, trip delays, or lost baggage. With the benefits is up to 50,000 dollars, you absolutely feel more secure and enjoy your trip. If you take an interest in insurance, read more at Insurance Information.

We hope you have an advantageous application and make a good trip to Canada. If you have any questions or concerns regarding Canada eTA for Polish citizens, feel free to contact us.

FAQS about Canada ETA for Polish citizens

1. Do Polish citizens need a visa for Canada?

No, Polish citizens do not need a visa when traveling to Canada for the purpose of a short stay. Instead, they can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which is a digital entry requirement for citizens of visa-free countries. Through the eTA, Polish travelers can visit Canada for up to six months for tourism, business trips, or transit purposes.

The Canadian eTA application process is simple and online only. Applicants only need a valid Polish passport, email address, and a credit or debit card to pay the fee. If approved, the eTA will be electronically connected to the traveler's passport and will be valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

An eTA is only required for air travel. Polish citizens entering Canada by land or sea, for example, from the United States do not require an eTA. Always make sure your eTA and passport are valid before boarding a flight to Canada.

2. How to travel to Canada from Poland?

Traveling from Poland to Canada is simple, and there are several convenient flights connecting major Polish cities to Canada.

The most common way to get to Canada is by air. Direct flights from LOT Polish Airlines and airlines such as Air Canada are available from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) to major Canadian cities such as Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). The flight time is approximately 9 to 10 hours.

For departures from other Polish cities such as Krakow, Gdansk and Wrocław, connecting flights are available to Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver via major European hub airports such as Frankfurt, Amsterdam and London.

Polish citizens must have a valid passport and an eTA (electronic travel permit) before traveling to Canada. An eTA is required for visa-free travelers entering Canada by air. The application for eTA is available online and is typically approved within a few minutes or up to 72 hours.

After arrival, travelers pass through immigration and customs before continuing their journey. A stable air route and easy immigration process make the journey from Poland to Canada simple and enjoyable.

3. Is Canada ETA better than visa on Arrival?

Yes, an eTA (electronic travel permit) in Canada is usually better and more convenient than an visa on arrival. This is because Canada does not issue visas on arrival to most travelers. Instead, eligible foreigners from visa-exempt countries, such as Poland, Norway, and Australia, must apply for an eTA before boarding a flight to Canada.

The eTA system allows travelers to complete their entire application online without having to visit the embassy or line up at the airport, typically in minutes. Once the eTA is approved, it is electronically linked to their passport, valid for up to five years, and allows multiple short-term visits for up to six months.

Once approved, it is electronically linked to the passport, valid for up to five years, and allows multiple short visits of up to six months each. Because immigration procedures in Canada are digitally conducted, eTAs are faster to process, more reliable, and smoother to enter than traditional visa systems or arrival visa systems.

In short, for eligible travelers, the Canada eTA is far superior to any visa-on-arrival option in terms of speed, convenience, and efficiency.

4. Do I need a Canada eTA if I have a Polish passport?

Yes, if you have a Polish passport, you will need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for your flight to Canada. Polish citizens do not need a traditional visa for short visits to Canada. However, they must obtain an eTA before boarding their flight

The eTA is a digital travel authorization electronically linked to your Polish passport. You can enter Canada ffor tourism, business, or transit purposes, valid for up to five years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. Multiple trips can be made during the validity period, and each trip can stay for up to six months.

The eTA application is simple and can only be done online. All you need is a valid Polish passport, email address, and a debit or credit card to pay the fee. Most applications are approved within minutes, but we recommend that you apply at least 72 hours before departure

5. Is real ID good enough to get into Canada?

No, you cannot enter Canada with your REAL ID alone. A REAL ID is an ID that meets enhanced U.S. federal security standards for U.S. domestic air travel. However, it is not a valid international travel document and cannot be used to cross the Canadian border by air, land, or sea.

To enter Canada, U.S. citizens must carry a valid U.S. passport or passport card. Passport cards can only be used for land or sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean. Travelers entering Canada by plane must carry a passport.

If you are a U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), you must bring both a green card and a valid passport from your home country.

In summary, while a REAL ID allows you to board domestic U.S. flights, it does not replace a passport or passport card for international travel. Always carry the correct travel documents to avoid being denied boarding or entering Canada.