Complete guide to applying for Canadian eTA on behalf of others
On This Page You Will Find:
- Step-by-step process to apply for eTA on behalf of others
- Critical requirements for helping minors vs. adults
- Essential documents and information you'll need ready
- Common mistakes that delay applications and how to avoid them
- Expert tips to ensure quick approval within minutes
Summary:
Planning to help your spouse, child, or friend with their Canadian eTA application? You absolutely can - and this comprehensive guide shows you exactly how. Whether you're assisting elderly parents who struggle with online forms or helping your teenage children prepare for a family trip, the process is straightforward when you know the requirements. We'll walk you through the critical differences between applying for minors versus adults, reveal the essential information you must have ready (hint: getting their passport details wrong is the #1 cause of delays), and share insider tips that ensure approval within minutes rather than days.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Anyone can help friends or family apply for eTA using the same application form
- Different requirements apply for minors under 18 vs. adults
- Use the applicant's email address (not yours) to ensure direct communication
- Have all documents ready before starting - the form cannot be saved
- Most applications approve within minutes when completed correctly
Maria Rodriguez had been dreading this moment for weeks. Her 75-year-old mother wanted to visit from Mexico for her grandson's graduation, but the online eTA application seemed overwhelming for someone who barely used email. "Can I just do it for her?" Maria wondered, staring at the Government of Canada website at midnight after another failed attempt to walk her mother through the process over the phone.
The answer that would have saved Maria hours of frustration? Yes - absolutely yes.
Understanding eTA Third-Party Applications
The Canadian government not only allows but actively accommodates third-party applications for electronic Travel Authorizations. This means you can complete the entire process for your family members, friends, or anyone who needs assistance navigating the digital requirements.
The system recognizes that not everyone has the technical skills, language proficiency, or physical capability to complete online applications independently. Whether you're helping elderly relatives, assisting friends with limited English, or managing travel documents for your minor children, the process is designed to be accessible through representatives.
Setting Up Your Representative Status
The Critical First Step
When you begin the application, you'll encounter a crucial question: "Are you a representative or a parent/guardian applying on behalf of an eTA applicant?" Your answer here determines the entire flow of your application.
Answer "yes" to this question, and you'll unlock the representative pathway that ensures proper authorization and communication channels. This isn't just a formality - it's a legal declaration that you have permission to act on behalf of the traveler.
What Happens Next
Once you've identified yourself as a representative, the system will request your personal information. This creates an official record of who completed the application, which becomes important if any issues arise during processing or at the border.
You'll need to provide:
- Your full legal name
- Your relationship to the applicant
- Your contact information
- Confirmation of your authority to act on their behalf
Special Requirements for Minor Children
The Under-18 Rule
If you're applying for someone under 18 years old, you'll face additional requirements designed to protect minors. The system will ask: "Are you applying on behalf of a minor child?"
Answering "yes" triggers the parental authorization section, which requires detailed information about your legal relationship to the child. This might seem tedious, but it's a crucial safeguard against unauthorized applications.
Parent/Guardian Details Screen
The "Parent/guardian or representative details" screen appears exclusively for minor applications. Here's what you'll need ready:
- Proof of your parental or legal guardian status
- Your government-issued identification details
- Contact information where authorities can reach you
- Confirmation of your legal right to make travel decisions for the child
This information becomes part of the permanent record and may be referenced during border crossings.
Essential Information Checklist
Before You Begin
The eTA application cannot be saved midway through completion. This means you need every piece of information ready before you start. Missing even one detail means starting over completely.
For the Traveler:
- Full legal name (exactly as it appears on passport)
- Passport number (double-check this - errors cause the most delays)
- Passport expiry date
- Country of citizenship
- Date of birth
- Current address
For Yourself (as representative):
- Your complete contact information
- Your relationship to the applicant
- Your legal name and identification
The Email Address Strategy
Here's where many well-meaning helpers make a critical mistake: they use their own email address instead of the traveler's. Don't do this.
The Canadian government needs to communicate directly with the person who will be traveling. Use the applicant's email address in the Contact Details section, even if they rarely check email. This ensures they receive important updates about their authorization status and any requests for additional information.
If the traveler doesn't have an email address, help them create one specifically for travel purposes. This small step prevents communication gaps that can delay or complicate the process.
Navigating the Application Process
Payment and Processing
The $7 CAD fee must be paid immediately after completing the form. Have a valid credit card ready - the system won't hold your application while you search for payment methods.
Most applications receive approval within minutes, but this speed depends entirely on accuracy. Government systems can instantly verify correctly entered information, but any discrepancies trigger manual review processes that add days or weeks to processing time.
The Signature Section
In the Consent section, you'll encounter a signature field. This is where many people get confused about whose name to enter. Always use the traveler's name - never your own, even though you're completing the application.
This signature represents the applicant's consent to the terms and conditions, not your authorization to act on their behalf (which you've already established earlier in the process).
Common Mistakes That Cause Delays
Passport Number Errors
The single most common cause of eTA delays is incorrect passport information. Passport numbers can contain confusing characters - zeros that look like O's, I's that look like 1's, and handwritten numbers that are difficult to read.
Before submitting, verify the passport number by checking it three times against the physical document. If you're unsure about any character, use a magnifying glass or phone camera to zoom in on the details.
Name Discrepancies
Enter the traveler's name exactly as it appears on their passport - including middle names, suffixes, and any unusual spellings. Don't "correct" names to match how the person usually writes them if it differs from their passport.
Even small variations like "John" vs "Jonathan" or missing middle initials can trigger verification delays.
Date Format Confusion
Pay careful attention to date formats. The system may use DD/MM/YYYY format rather than the MM/DD/YYYY format common in the United States. Entering dates incorrectly can make someone appear to have an expired passport or invalid birth date.
Who Can Provide Help
No Citizenship Requirements
You don't need to be a Canadian citizen to help someone apply for an eTA. While Canadian citizens often help their non-Canadian relatives, anyone with the necessary information and authorization can complete the application process.
This flexibility recognizes that travel assistance often comes from various sources - travel agents, adult children living abroad, or friends with better internet access or language skills.
Professional vs. Personal Assistance
Whether you're helping as a family member or as a professional service provider, the application process remains the same. However, if you're completing multiple applications as a business service, ensure you understand the legal responsibilities involved in handling personal information and travel documents.
Ensuring Quick Approval
Preparation Strategies
Set aside 30-45 minutes of uninterrupted time to complete the application. Rushing through the process or multitasking increases the likelihood of errors that cause delays.
Have physical documents spread out in front of you rather than relying on photos or digital copies. This makes it easier to verify details and catch potential mistakes before submitting.
Double-Check Protocol
Before clicking submit, review every field one more time. Pay special attention to:
- Passport number accuracy
- Email address spelling
- Date formats
- Name spelling and order
- Country selections
This final review takes two minutes but can save weeks of processing delays.
What Happens After Submission
Immediate Confirmation
Upon successful submission and payment, you'll receive an immediate confirmation with a reference number. Save this number - it's essential for tracking the application status or resolving any issues that arise.
Approval Notification
Most eTA approvals arrive via email within minutes of submission. The approval email goes to the address you provided for the traveler, so make sure they know to check their inbox (including spam folders).
Next Steps for Travel
Once approved, the eTA is electronically linked to the passport used in the application. The traveler doesn't need to print anything or carry additional documents - airlines and border officials can access the authorization digitally.
However, it's wise to save a copy of the approval email for personal records, especially for travelers who may need to reference their eTA number in the future.
Conclusion
Helping family members and friends with their eTA applications is not only allowed but encouraged by Canadian immigration authorities. The process becomes straightforward when you understand the key requirements: properly identifying yourself as a representative, using the traveler's contact information, and ensuring absolute accuracy in all details.
The most successful applications come from helpers who take time to gather all necessary information before starting, double-check every entry for accuracy, and understand the special requirements for minor children. With proper preparation, you can help your loved ones secure their travel authorization within minutes, turning what seems like a complex bureaucratic process into a simple act of assistance that opens doors to Canadian adventures.
Remember: your role as a helper doesn't end with submission. Stay available to assist with any follow-up questions and ensure the traveler understands their approved eTA status before they begin their journey to Canada.
FAQ
Q: Can I legally apply for an eTA on behalf of my family members or friends?
Yes, you absolutely can help family members, friends, or anyone else apply for their Canadian eTA. The Canadian government actively accommodates third-party applications and has built specific pathways into their system for representatives. When you start the application, you'll see the question "Are you a representative or a parent/guardian applying on behalf of an eTA applicant?" - simply answer "yes" to establish your representative status. You don't need to be a Canadian citizen to provide this assistance. Whether you're helping elderly parents who struggle with technology, assisting friends with limited English skills, or managing applications for your children, the process is designed to be accessible through authorized helpers. The system will request your personal information to create an official record of who completed the application, which becomes important for any future correspondence or border crossing issues.
Q: What's the difference between applying for a minor child versus an adult family member?
Applications for minors under 18 have additional security requirements that adult applications don't include. When you answer "yes" to "Are you applying on behalf of a minor child?" you'll access a special "Parent/guardian or representative details" screen that requires proof of your legal relationship to the child. You'll need to provide your government-issued identification details, confirmation of your parental or legal guardian status, and verification of your legal right to make travel decisions for the child. This information becomes part of the permanent record and may be referenced during border crossings. For adults, the process is simpler - you just need to establish your representative status and have their permission to act on their behalf. The additional minor protections are crucial safeguards against unauthorized applications, so don't skip any required fields even if they seem repetitive.
Q: Should I use my email address or the traveler's email address when completing their application?
Always use the traveler's email address, not your own - this is one of the most critical mistakes that causes communication problems later. The Canadian government needs direct communication with the person who will actually be traveling to Canada. They'll send approval notifications, any requests for additional information, and important updates about authorization status directly to the applicant. If you use your own email, the traveler won't receive these crucial communications. If the person doesn't have an email address, help them create one specifically for travel purposes before starting the application. Make sure they know to check their inbox (including spam folders) after submission, as most approvals arrive within minutes. This email address also becomes their primary contact method for any future eTA-related correspondence or if issues arise at the border.
Q: What documents and information do I need to have ready before starting the application?
The eTA application cannot be saved midway through completion, so gather everything beforehand. For the traveler, you need their full legal name exactly as it appears on their passport, passport number (double-check this carefully), passport expiry date, country of citizenship, date of birth, and current address. For yourself as the representative, have your complete contact information, your relationship to the applicant, and your legal name ready. The most critical item is the passport number - errors here cause 90% of application delays. Use a magnifying glass if needed to distinguish between confusing characters like zeros vs. O's or I's vs. 1's. Have a valid credit card ready for the $7 CAD fee, as payment must be completed immediately after form submission. Set aside 30-45 minutes of uninterrupted time and have physical documents spread out rather than relying on photos or digital copies for better accuracy verification.
Q: What are the most common mistakes that delay eTA applications and how can I avoid them?
Passport number errors cause the majority of delays - take extra time to verify every character against the physical passport, checking three times before submission. Name discrepancies are also problematic; enter the traveler's name exactly as it appears on their passport, including middle names and unusual spellings, even if it differs from how they normally write their name. Date format confusion is another issue - pay attention to whether the system uses DD/MM/YYYY or MM/DD/YYYY format to avoid making someone appear to have an expired passport. In the signature section, always use the traveler's name, never your own, even though you're completing the application. Don't rush through the process or multitask - errors from hurrying cause weeks of processing delays. Before clicking submit, do a final review focusing on passport number accuracy, email address spelling, date formats, name spelling and order, and country selections. This two-minute review can save weeks of complications.
Q: How quickly will the eTA be approved and what happens after I submit the application?
Most correctly completed eTA applications receive approval within minutes of submission, though processing speed depends entirely on accuracy. Government systems can instantly verify correct information, but any discrepancies trigger manual review processes that add days or weeks. After successful submission and payment, you'll receive an immediate confirmation with a reference number - save this for tracking purposes. The approval email goes directly to the traveler's email address, so ensure they check their inbox and spam folder. Once approved, the eTA is electronically linked to the passport used in the application, so no additional documents need to be printed or carried. However, save a copy of the approval email for personal records. If the application doesn't approve immediately, it likely means there's an error requiring correction or additional verification. The traveler can begin planning their trip once they receive the approval email, as airlines and border officials access the authorization digitally.
