Heading to Canada on your own for the first time? Beyond booking flights and hotels in Toronto or Vancouver, there’s one thing you really shouldn’t leave until you’re at the airport: your eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization).
“Don’t Taiwanese passports get visa-free entry?” “The eTA is only CAD 7, so why do some sites charge dozens of dollars?” “Do I still need to fill out ArriveCAN?” “Can I bring pork floss, instant noodles or fruit?”
These questions trip up travelers all the time. So this time, the JEKO team has pulled together everything you need to sort out before and after landing in Canada, from the perspective of a traveler from Taiwan.
The short version: if you’re eligible and hold a regular Taiwan passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that includes your national ID number, you’ll usually need an eTA before flying to Canada or transiting through a Canadian airport. The official fee is CAD $7. The Advance CBSA Declaration in ArriveCAN, on the other hand, is optional and not mandatory for everyone.
1. Do Taiwanese travelers need a visa for Canada? Flying and land entry work differently
Canada grants visa-free entry to Taiwan passport holders, but not every Taiwanese travel document falls under the same rules. Generally, it applies to travelers holding a regular passport issued by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that shows their personal national ID number.
| How you enter | Eligible travelers with a regular Taiwan passport | Key reminder |
|---|---|---|
| Flying from Taiwan to Canada | eTA required | The airline will check your authorization before boarding |
| Transiting through a Canadian airport | eTA usually required | Check in advance, even if you won’t leave the airport |
| Entering from the US by car, bus or train | eTA generally not required | You still need a valid passport and must clear border inspection |
| Arriving by sea, such as on a cruise | eTA generally not required | A valid passport is required; some routes may have additional rules |
Say you fly into Seattle first and then drive up to Vancouver. If you’re a Taiwanese traveler who meets the criteria above, you usually won’t need an eTA to enter Canada by land. But if you later fly back into Canada from the US, you’ll still need to check the eTA requirements for air travel.
If your passport doesn’t include a Taiwan national ID number, you’re using a special travel document, or you’re a Canadian permanent resident or dual citizen, use the Government of Canada’s entry requirements tool instead. Don’t rely on this table.
Official source: IRCC entry requirements by country/passport.
2. How much does a Canada eTA cost, and how many years is it valid?
As of October 2026, the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) states: the eTA application fee is CAD $7 per person and is non-refundable.
| Item | Official rules for 2026 |
|---|---|
| Application fee | CAD $7 per person |
| Validity once approved | Up to 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first |
| Number of uses | You can usually fly to Canada multiple times while it’s valid |
| Typical length of each stay | Usually up to 6 months; the border officer makes the final call |
| New passport | You’ll need to apply for a new eTA |
| Paper proof | The eTA is electronically linked to your passport, so you usually don’t need to print anything |
For example, your eTA might in theory be good for 5 years once approved, but if your passport expires in a year, the authorization won’t automatically carry over to your new passport.
“Valid for 5 years” doesn’t mean you can live in Canada for 5 years straight, and it certainly doesn’t mean you’re allowed to work or study there long-term. How long you can stay as a tourist, and whether you’re admitted at all, is still up to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
3. Where’s the official eTA website? Watch out for agencies that overcharge
The Government of Canada’s official eTA application portal:
Official IRCC eTA application page
The safest way to apply is to start from the Government of Canada’s canada.ca website. Before paying, make sure the page shows the official government fee. Don’t enter your passport and credit card details on a site just because it showed up first in your search results.
Some third-party agencies charge an extra processing fee. Using an agency isn’t automatically a scam, but you should be on alert if a site claims guaranteed approval, pretends to be the government, or doesn’t clearly disclose its extra service fees.
We recommend that each family member fill out their own application (or have a parent help), and keep the application number and approval email.
4. How to apply for a Canada eTA in 2026: a five-minute walkthrough
Step 1 | Have your passport, email and payment card ready
The official application requires a valid passport, an email address where you can receive notifications, and an accepted credit or debit card, such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express or JCB.
Each person needs their own eTA application, babies included. The official online form usually can’t be saved partway through, so keep your passport next to you before you start.
Step 2 | Go to the official IRCC application page
Read the instructions, then open the online application form and work through the passport and travel document fields in the order shown.
The pages are mainly in English or French, and the Government of Canada also offers field-by-field guidance in multiple languages, so travel companions who aren’t confident in English can follow along with the Chinese help document.
Step 3 | Fill in your passport and personal details
Enter your name exactly as romanized in your passport, along with your date of birth, passport number, and issue and expiry dates, then answer the questions about your contact details, employment and background.
The most common mistake is mixing up the letter O and the number 0, or the letter I and the number 1, in your passport number. Go by the actual number printed at the top of your passport’s data page, not by memory.
Step 4 | Double-check every field and pay
Before submitting, compare your name, passport number, date of birth and email address one more time. The amount charged should be the official CAD $7, though your bank may add foreign transaction fees.
Step 5 | Get your approval email and check the passport number
Most applicants get an email within minutes, but some applications may take several days or require extra documents, so same-day approval isn’t guaranteed.
Once you get the approval email, check again that the passport number in it exactly matches your physical passport. A wrong number could stop you from boarding, and you’ll usually have to apply again.
Our tip: don’t leave it until the day before you fly. As soon as you know you’re going to Canada, get it done early so you can book the rest of your trip with peace of mind.
5. Do you still need ArriveCAN in 2026? How is it different from the eTA?
This one matters, because you can still find old pandemic-era articles online saying “you must fill out ArriveCAN to enter Canada.”
In 2026, ArriveCAN is no longer a mandatory health declaration app for every arriving traveler. Today it offers the optional Advance CBSA Declaration (an advance customs and immigration declaration), which lets eligible travelers arriving at designated Canadian airports fill in some of their information ahead of time.
| Comparison | eTA | ArriveCAN / Advance CBSA Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Travel authorization for eligible travelers flying to Canada | Voluntary early submission of your customs and immigration declaration |
| Is it required? | Usually required for eligible air travelers | Generally optional |
| Cost | CAD $7 | Free |
| When to do it | Get approved as early as possible before your trip | Submit within 72 hours before arrival |
| Validity | Up to 5 years or until your passport expires | Covers that specific arrival only |
How to use the ArriveCAN advance declaration
- Use the app or web version via the Government of Canada’s official ArriveCAN page.
- Confirm your passport and flight details.
- Answer the customs questions based on what you’re actually bringing.
- Submit within 72 hours before you arrive.
- When you land at a participating airport, follow the prompts at the kiosk or eGate to confirm your details and complete inspection.
If your trip is delayed or your details change, you may need to recheck or update your declaration. And if you skip this optional service, you still have to complete your customs declaration truthfully when you arrive.
6. What can’t you bring through Canadian customs? Be careful with meat and fruit
Canada is very strict about declaring food, plants and animal products, because some items can carry plant and animal diseases or invasive pests.
The key rule isn’t “if I declare it, I can bring it.” It’s “if you’re carrying it, declare it honestly, and whether it’s allowed in depends on the regulations and the inspection at the border.”
| Type of item | What travelers should know |
|---|---|
| Jerky, sausages, ham, pork floss | Fresh, dried and cured meat brought from outside the US (including Taiwan) is usually prohibited; don’t assume vacuum-sealed means it’s allowed |
| Canned meat, shelf-stable ready-to-eat meat products | Only certain commercially prepared, fully cooked products that meet sealing and labeling requirements may be allowed; check each item |
| Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, flowers and plants | Depends on the item, its origin and quarantine requirements; always declare them |
| Instant noodles, snacks, cookies | Not banned across the board, but check carefully if they contain meat; all food should still be declared |
| Tea, coffee, seasonings | Depends on the product, origin and quantity; still needs to be declared |
| Wooden items, soil, plants | May be subject to quarantine or import restrictions; don’t decide on your own that they’re fine to bring |
For example, popular items Taiwanese travelers like to pack, such as pork floss egg rolls, jerky, sausages and ready-meal pouches containing meat, are the ones most likely to run into restrictions. Food bought in the US and food brought directly from Taiwan to Canada may also fall under different import conditions.
The most reliable source to check is the CFIA list of food you can bring for personal use.
According to the CBSA, failing to declare food, plants or animal-related items can result in a fine of up to CAD $1,300 per item, depending on how serious the violation is. That doesn’t mean you’ll always be fined that exact amount.
7. Medication, cash, cannabis and alcohol: check these before you arrive too
Besides food, these categories often get overlooked:
Personal medication: Keep it in its original packaging with the drug name and purpose clearly identifiable, and bring a prescription or doctor’s note for prescription drugs. For travelers’ personal-use medication, Canada generally uses a 90-day supply or a single course of treatment as a guideline, but certain controlled substances have their own rules, so it isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Cash or monetary instruments: If you’re carrying CAD $10,000 or more (or the equivalent in foreign currency or certain monetary instruments) into or out of Canada, you’re legally required to declare it. Declaring it doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to carry it.
Cannabis and cannabis products: Even though some cannabis use is legal within Canada, you still can’t take cannabis or cannabis products across the Canadian border without a special permit. Don’t treat CBD, THC or edible products as ordinary souvenirs.
Alcohol, tobacco and e-cigarettes: You’ll need to follow the provincial minimum age, declaration, quantity, and duty and tax rules. Don’t assume anything you bought at a duty-free shop in Taiwan can come in with no conditions.
If you’re not sure whether you can bring something, your best bet is to check the Government of Canada’s official rules before you leave, and never hide anything when you arrive.
8. What will Canadian border officers ask? Handy English answers
Even after you’ve got your eTA and made your declaration, the border officer may still ask about the purpose of your trip, how long you’re staying and where you’ll be staying.
| Question in English | Answer based on your actual trip |
|---|---|
| What is the purpose of your visit? | I’m here for sightseeing. (I’m visiting as a tourist.) |
| How long will you stay in Canada? | I’ll stay for twelve days. (I’ll be here for 12 days.) |
| Where will you stay? | I’ll stay at a hotel in Vancouver. (I’m staying at a hotel in Vancouver.) |
| Do you have a return ticket? | Yes, here is my return flight. (Yes, this is my return flight.) |
| Are you carrying any food? | Yes, I have packaged snacks to declare. (Yes, I have some packaged snacks to declare.) |
These are just sample sentences, so don’t copy answers that don’t match your own trip. Save your passport, accommodation details and return ticket as offline PDFs ahead of time, and show them only when the officer asks.
9. Do you need an eSIM after landing? The easiest way to set things up
Your eTA must be approved before you set off on any trip where you’ll be flying into Canada. You can’t wait until you land and get online with an eSIM to apply. Also, Canadian border inspection doesn’t require every traveler to buy an eSIM.
That said, being able to get online as soon as you clear customs really does save a lot of hassle: you’ll need mobile data to open Google Maps to find the airport express, look up your hotel address, contact your pickup driver and check Uber/Lyft pickup spots.
Before you leave, we recommend checking that:
- Your phone supports eSIM and isn’t carrier-locked.
- The plan actually covers Canada, and you’ve confirmed the partner carrier, number of days, data allowance and speed throttling rules.
- You install it at the right time according to the product’s instructions, so the validity period doesn’t start early.
- After landing, once you’re in an area where phone use is allowed, you switch to your travel eSIM for mobile data.
- If you need to receive OTP codes from Taiwanese banks, you’ve also checked international SMS and roaming fees on your regular number.
If your itinerary also takes you from Vancouver to Seattle in the US, compare plans that cover both the US and Canada. Don’t assume a Canada-only eSIM will automatically work in the US.
JEKO eSIM | Our tips for getting online in Canada
JEKO offers travel eSIMs for Canada and a range of North American destinations. If you only need data, start by comparing daily plans, total data plans and unlimited plans. For multi-country trips, check first that every country you’re visiting is covered.
If you choose JEKO’s AT&T US, Canada and Mexico plan with a phone number, note that its high-speed data and hotspot limits in Canada differ from those in the US. It doesn’t offer the same unthrottled specs across all three countries.
Browse JEKO’s Canada and North America eSIMs
Canada eTA and Entry FAQ
How much does a Canada eTA cost in 2026?
The official IRCC application fee is CAD $7 per person. There’s no extra official rush fee for faster approval.
Do I definitely need an eTA to fly to Canada on a Taiwan passport?
Travelers who qualify for visa-free entry, hold a regular Taiwan passport that includes their national ID number, and are flying into or transiting through Canada usually need an eTA. If you have another nationality, permanent resident status or another special status, check separately.
Do I need an eTA to drive into Canada from the US?
Eligible Taiwanese travelers as described above generally don’t need an eTA to enter Canada by land, but you still need a valid passport to clear border inspection.
How long is a Canada eTA valid?
Up to 5 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you’ll need to apply again, and it doesn’t mean you can stay for 5 years in one go.
Is ArriveCAN still mandatory in 2026?
No. The Advance CBSA Declaration is an optional advance declaration service. Eligible travelers can submit it within 72 hours before arriving at a designated airport, but you still have to go through formal inspection when you enter.
Can I bring instant noodles, pork floss or jerky into Canada?
It depends. Dried meat products like jerky and pork floss brought from outside the US (including Taiwan) are usually not allowed. For instant noodles, check the ingredients and origin, and declare all food.
What should I do if I never got an approval email after applying for my eTA?
First check your spam folder and your application status. Some applications need extra documents or take longer. Don’t rush to apply again through a paid third-party site before you’ve confirmed your status.
Will Canadian border officers definitely ask to see information on my phone?
Not necessarily. Officers may ask questions or request related documents. We recommend having offline copies ready, and following the rules on phone use at the border.
Final Thoughts from the JEKO Team
For your first trip to Canada, there are really only a few things you need to remember: get your official CAD $7 eTA before you fly; don’t mistake ArriveCAN for a mandatory arrival card; and if you’re carrying meat, plants, snacks or similar items, declare them honestly.
Save your accommodation, flight and important contact details as offline documents, and double-check your Canada eSIM’s validity period and partner network. That way, you can start your trip with much more peace of mind once you land.
JEKO eSIM | Mobile data for travel in Canada and North America
Official sources (checked on 2026-10-13)
- IRCC (Canada): Official eTA application, CAD $7 fee and application process
- IRCC (Canada): Check eligibility by passport and mode of entry
- IRCC (Canada): eTA validity and entry restrictions
- CBSA (Canada): ArriveCAN and advance declaration
- CBSA (Canada): How to use the Advance CBSA Declaration
- CFIA (Canada): Rules for bringing food into Canada
- CBSA (Canada): Declaring food, plant and animal products, and penalties
- CBSA (Canada): What travelers can bring, including alcohol and tobacco
- CBSA (Canada): Declaring CAD $10,000 in currency
- CBSA (Canada): Rules on cannabis at the border
- Health Canada: Guidance on bringing medication for personal use
