Confusing the eTA with the Visitor Visa, and Getting Stopped at Check-In
Indian passport holders require a Visitor Visa to enter Canada, not an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The eTA applies to visa-exempt nationalities. This distinction sounds administrative, but it has stranded travellers at Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad airports because airlines check travel documents at the gate, and an eTA application approved online means nothing for an Indian passport. The Visitor Visa application goes through a Canadian visa application centre, takes several weeks, and requires biometrics. Apply early. Confirm the document type before booking flights.
