The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada,IRCC declared the extension of the electronic travel authorization (eTA) program to 13 new countries. Travellers from those countries who have held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years, or who are currently in possession of a valid US non-immigrant visa, will be able to apply for an eTA when travelling to Canada by air, rather than obtaining a visa. Starting from today, travelers from the following countries can take advantage of the visa free travel program. This means that all of them are now included in Canada visa free countries.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Costa Rica
- Morocco
- Panama
- Philippines
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Seychelles
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uruguay
Enabling visa-free air travel will enhance the ease, speed, and affordability of travelling to Canada for up to six months, be it for leisure or business purposes, thus granting multiple benefits. This initiative will support the growth of Canada’s economy by boosting tourism, international business, and fostering closer relationships with other countries, all while prioritizing Canadian safety.
This decision will also divert thousands of applications from Canada’s visa caseload, allowing the Canadian immigration to process visa applications more efficiently, which will benefit all visa applicants.
Individuals who already have a valid visa can continue to use it to travel to Canada. Those who are not eligible for an eTA, or who are travelling to Canada by means other than air (for example, by car, bus, train and boat—including by cruise ship), will still need a visitor visa. Travellers can visit Canada.ca/eTA to find out their eligibility for an eTA and also the application procedure.
