Canada has added 13 new countries to its visa-free list.
The policy takes effect July 1st.
The new qualifying nations are:
Albania – Andorra – Antigua and Barbuda – Barbados – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Brunei – Dominica – Grenada – Liechtenstein – Malta – Monaco – San Marino – Saint Vincent – the Grenadines
To qualify for visa-free travel to Canada, travellers must meet the following requirements for an eTA:
- Be a citizen of one of the 13 new countries
- Hold a valid passport with more than 6-months validity from the proposed date of departure from Canada
- Have a return or onward ticket
- Have enough money to support themselves and dependents during their stay in Canada
- Not have a criminal record
Travellers who do not meet these all these requirements will still be able to apply for a visa at a Canadian visa office. To check which document you need, use Canada’s travel tool.
What is an eTA?
An eTA, or Electronic Travel Authorization, is an electronic permit that allows eligible travellers to travel to Canada by air or sea for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without a visa. The eTAs will be valid for five years, or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever is the earlier date applicable.
To apply for an eTA, travellers must create an account on the Government of Canada’s website and provide their passport information, travel itinerary, and contact information. The application process is quick and easy, and typically takes just a few minutes to complete.
eTAs are not required for travellers who are citizens of the USA, which has a visa-waiver agreement with Canada and can remain for up to 6-months. However, travellers from the USA are still to be required to provide proof of citizenship when entering Canada.
Here’s what else you need to know about Canada’s eTAs:
- eTAs are mandatory for all visa-exempt travellers who are flying to or transiting through Canada
- eTAs can be applied for online at any time before travelling to Canada
- The cost of an eTA is CAD $7
- eTAs are non-refundable and non-transferable
- If an applicant’s passport expires before the eTA, they will need to reapply for a new eTA with updated passport details
- If the applicant is e a dual citizen, they will need to apply for an eTA for each passport they plan to use to travel to Canada
Why did Canada expand visa-free travel?
The expansion of visa-free travel is a positive step for Canada. It aims to boost tourism and economic activity by making it easier for more people to travel to this amazing country. This is expected to expand ties and relationships with more nations while promoting Canada as a welcoming and open country.
