Navigate Canada's eTA application in your language
On This Page You Will Find:
- Why the eTA application remains bilingual despite global demand
- Complete list of 18+ support languages available to help you
- Critical system downtime dates that could delay your application
- Step-by-step workaround strategies for non-English/French speakers
- 2026 processing updates that affect approval times
Summary:
Planning a trip to Canada but worried about the language barrier? While the official eTA application form accepts only English and French submissions, you're not left to navigate alone. The Canadian government provides comprehensive support materials in over 18 languages, including Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, and more. This guide reveals exactly how to access multilingual help resources, avoid the January 2026 system downtime, and successfully complete your $7 CAD application even if English isn't your first language. Most applications process within minutes when done correctly.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- eTA application forms accept only English and French, but support materials come in 18+ languages
- System maintenance on January 20, 2026 (12:00 AM - 6:30 AM ET) will temporarily block applications
- Field descriptions, help guides, and documentation are fully translated for international applicants
- Processing remains fast at under 10 minutes for most properly completed applications
- The $7 CAD fee and language policy remain unchanged for 2026
Maria Santos stared at her computer screen in São Paulo, frustrated. Her family's Canadian vacation was just weeks away, but the eTA application appeared only in English and French. "How am I supposed to fill this out correctly?" she wondered, scrolling through fields she barely understood.
If you've found yourself in Maria's situation, you're not alone. Thousands of international travelers face this same language barrier every month when applying for Canada's Electronic Travel Authorization.
Here's what most people don't realize: while the application form itself remains strictly bilingual, the Canadian government has built an extensive multilingual support system to guide you through every step of the process.
Why the eTA Form Stays English and French Only
Canada's eTA system reflects the country's official language policy. As a nation with English and French as official languages, government forms maintain this bilingual standard for legal and administrative consistency.
However, recognizing that over 6 million people apply for eTAs annually from non-English speaking countries, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has developed comprehensive workaround solutions.
The key is knowing where to find these resources before you start your application.
Complete List of Available Support Languages
Your multilingual assistance comes in several forms, each designed to help you understand exactly what information to enter in each field:
Field Descriptions Available In:
- Arabic
- Bulgarian
- Cantonese (Traditional)
- English
- Filipino
- French
- German
- Greek
- Hungarian
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Mandarin (Traditional)
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Spanish
- Thai
What This Means for You: When you hover over or click help icons next to form fields, explanations appear in your selected language. This covers everything from passport number formatting to employment history requirements.
How to Access Multilingual Support
Step 1: Language Selection Before starting your application, visit the main Canada.ca eTA page and look for the language selector in the top-right corner. Choose your preferred language from the dropdown menu.
Step 2: Review Pre-Application Materials Read through all help guides and preparation checklists in your language first. This prevents costly mistakes that could delay processing or result in rejection.
Step 3: Keep Translation Tools Ready While completing the English or French form, have the multilingual field descriptions open in a separate browser tab for quick reference.
Step 4: Double-Check Critical Fields Pay special attention to name spelling, passport numbers, and travel dates. These must match your travel documents exactly, regardless of language differences.
Critical 2026 System Updates You Must Know
Mark your calendar: January 20, 2026, from 12:00 AM to 6:30 AM Eastern Time, the eTA system will be completely unavailable for maintenance.
What This Means:
- No applications can be submitted during this 6.5-hour window
- Existing applications won't be affected
- No changes to language availability are planned
- Processing times remain the same after maintenance
Pro Tip: If your travel dates are tight, submit your application at least 72 hours before this maintenance window to ensure processing completion.
Smart Strategies for Non-English Speakers
The Preparation Method: Successful applicants often spend 15-20 minutes reviewing multilingual guides before touching the actual form. This preparation reduces application time from 45 minutes to under 15 minutes.
Common Translation Pitfalls to Avoid:
- Don't translate your name – use exactly what appears in your passport
- Country names must match the English dropdown options
- Dates follow MM/DD/YYYY format, not regional variations
- Employment titles should use simple, common English terms
The Buddy System: Many families designate their most English-comfortable member to complete applications for the entire group, using the multilingual guides to ensure accuracy for everyone's information.
What Happens After You Submit
Once your application processes (typically within 10 minutes), you'll receive confirmation emails in English. However, the key information – your eTA number and approval status – requires no translation.
Your eTA Number: This 10-digit code automatically links to your passport in airline systems worldwide. You don't need to translate or explain it to anyone.
Approval Confirmation: A simple "Approved" status appears in your account, universally understood regardless of language barriers.
Cost and Processing Remain Unchanged
The eTA fee stays at $7 CAD for 2026, with the same payment methods accepted:
- Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
- Debit cards from participating banks
- PayPal in some regions
Processing times continue averaging under 10 minutes for straightforward applications, though complex cases may take up to 72 hours.
When Language Support Isn't Enough
If multilingual guides don't resolve your specific situation, consider these options:
Professional Assistance: Immigration consultants can complete applications on your behalf, though this adds $100-300 CAD to your costs.
Embassy Support: Canadian embassies and consulates in major cities often provide application assistance during specific hours.
Community Resources: Many immigrant-serving organizations offer free eTA application help in community languages not officially supported.
Looking Ahead: Will More Languages Be Added?
While the 2026 system maintenance doesn't include language expansion, IRCC regularly reviews support language additions based on application volume data. Countries with high eTA application rates often see their languages added to support materials within 12-18 months.
The application form itself, however, will likely remain English and French only for the foreseeable future, maintaining consistency with Canada's broader government services approach.
Your Next Steps
Don't let language barriers delay your Canadian travel plans. The multilingual support system works effectively when you know how to access it properly.
Start by reviewing the help materials in your language, gather all required documents, and plan to submit your application outside the January 20 maintenance window. With proper preparation, your eTA approval can arrive within minutes, regardless of your English proficiency level.
Remember: thousands of travelers successfully navigate this process daily using these same multilingual resources. Your Canadian adventure is just one properly completed application away.
FAQ
Q: What languages can I use to fill out the Canada eTA application form in 2026?
The Canada eTA application form itself only accepts submissions in English and French - this policy remains unchanged for 2026. However, the Canadian government provides comprehensive multilingual support in over 18 languages including Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Thai. While you must enter your information in English or French on the actual form, you can access field descriptions, help guides, and step-by-step instructions in your preferred language. This multilingual support covers everything from passport number formatting to employment history requirements, making it possible to complete your application accurately even if English isn't your first language.
Q: How do I access the multilingual help resources when applying for my eTA?
To access multilingual support, start by visiting the main Canada.ca eTA page and select your preferred language from the dropdown menu in the top-right corner. Once selected, all help guides, preparation checklists, and field descriptions will appear in your chosen language. When filling out the actual form, hover over or click the help icons next to each field - explanations will appear in your selected language. Keep these multilingual field descriptions open in a separate browser tab while completing the English or French form for quick reference. This system allows you to understand exactly what information to enter in each field while maintaining the required English or French submission format.
Q: When will the eTA system be unavailable in 2026, and how should I plan my application timing?
The eTA system will be completely unavailable for maintenance on January 20, 2026, from 12:00 AM to 6:30 AM Eastern Time - a 6.5-hour window. During this time, no new applications can be submitted, though existing applications won't be affected. To avoid delays, submit your application at least 72 hours before this maintenance window if your travel dates are tight. The system maintenance won't change language availability or processing times, which continue to average under 10 minutes for straightforward applications. Plan accordingly by marking this date on your calendar and completing your $7 CAD application well in advance of both the maintenance period and your planned travel dates.
Q: What are the most common mistakes non-English speakers make when completing the eTA form?
The most frequent errors involve translation and formatting issues that can delay or reject applications. Never translate your name - use exactly what appears in your passport, including any hyphens or spacing. Country names must match the English dropdown options provided, not your local language versions. Dates must follow the MM/DD/YYYY format, not regional variations like DD/MM/YYYY. For employment information, use simple, common English terms rather than direct translations of complex job titles. Many successful applicants spend 15-20 minutes reviewing multilingual guides before starting the actual form, which reduces application time from 45 minutes to under 15 minutes and significantly decreases error rates.
Q: Can someone else complete my eTA application for me if I'm not comfortable with English?
Yes, you have several options if English proficiency is a concern. Many families use the "buddy system" where the most English-comfortable member completes applications for the entire group, using multilingual guides to ensure accuracy for everyone's information. You can also hire licensed immigration consultants to complete applications on your behalf, though this adds $100-300 CAD to your costs. Canadian embassies and consulates in major cities often provide application assistance during specific hours, and many immigrant-serving organizations offer free eTA application help in community languages. However, remember that with the extensive multilingual support materials available, most travelers successfully complete their own applications using the field descriptions and help guides in their preferred language.
Q: Will the Canada eTA system add more languages in the future, and what should I do if my language isn't supported?
While the application form will likely remain English and French only to maintain consistency with Canada's official language policy, IRCC regularly reviews adding new support languages based on application volume data. Countries with high eTA application rates often see their languages added to support materials within 12-18 months. The 2026 system maintenance doesn't include language expansion, but the current 18+ supported languages cover the majority of international applicants. If your specific language isn't supported, consider using a closely related language if you're multilingual, seeking help from community organizations, or consulting with immigration professionals. The visual nature of many form fields and the extensive help documentation make completion possible even with basic English understanding combined with translation tools.
