13 Nations Get Canada Visa-Free Entry With a Catch
Canada has expanded its Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) program to include travellers from 13 additional countries. Now, these travellers can apply online instead of going through the usual visitor visa process when flying to Canada.
The eTA system makes entering Canada easier by providing a fully digital application. It usually gets processed much faster than a regular visa and costs a lot less.
Introduction to Canada's Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
Canada eTA is an online approval connected to a traveller’s passport. It allows visitors from visa-exempt countries and British overseas territories to visit Canada for tourism or business, usually for up to 6 months per visit.
If you’re flying to Canada, you need to obtain an eTA before boarding your flight.
This rule applies to passport holders from visa-exempt countries, including the European Union, as well as to citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Switzerland, the Vatican City State, and the United Kingdom.
Before, only Brazilian passport holders who usually needed a Canadian visa could apply for an eTA. Now, the rules have expanded to include 13 more countries.
If you come from a country that usually requires a visa, you can use the eTA system only if you’ve had a Canadian visitor visa in the last 10 years or currently hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa.
Countries Granted Visa-Free Access to Canada
Along with Brazil, eligible travellers from the following countries can apply for an eTA when flying to Canada, if they meet the required conditions:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Costa Rica
- Morocco
- Panama
- Philippines
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Seychelles
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uruguay
How to apply for a Canada eTA
- Go to the eTA portal, open the Canada eTA application form, and choose the eTA option to begin your request.
- Carefully enter your personal and passport details, then double-check them before moving on.
- Upload the required documents and pay the eTA fee using your preferred payment method.
- Submit your application, and you’ll get email updates about its status and approval.
Advantages of Canada's Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
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