Canada expands its list of ‘visa-free’ countries: Easing Travel Restrictions

Canada expands its list of ‘visa-free’ countries: Certain visitors from thirteen countries have been added to Canada’s “visa-free” list and will be able to enter the country without acquiring an expensive visitor visa.

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced on Tuesday an expansion of the electronic travel authorization, or eTA, programme to the Philippines, Thailand, and certain Caribbean and Latin American countries, making it easier for “known travellers” from these nations to visit the United States for pleasure and business.

Fraser stated at a news conference in Winnipeg, “This expansion will not only increase traveller convenience, but it will also increase travel, tourism, and economic benefits, and strengthen global ties with these 13 countries.”

Visitors from these nations are no longer required to have visitor visas, and only require an eTA, so long as they have held a Canadian visa within the last 10 years or a legitimate United States non-immigrant visa.

Canada expands its list of ‘visa-free’ countries

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Philippines, Seychelles, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, and Uruguay have been added to the roster.

As a consequence of the visa exemptions, known travellers from these countries can save a substantial amount of money, according to Fraser. A current visitor visa costs $100 per person and $500 per family of five or more, whereas an eTA costs only $7 per person and is valid for up to five years.

Historically, Canada relied on data and benchmarks to determine whether a country should be exempt from the visa requirement.

However, thanks to new technologies and the ability to use digital information, immigration officials can now identify individual travellers who have recently undergone the screening process in Canada or the United States.

Fraser stated, “This is a sea change in the way we travel to Canada.” We have faith that they will be able to meet the requirements of the Canadian visa application process.

The expansion of the eTA programme is based on the success of the pilot programme offered in 2017 to visitors from Brazil, Bulgaria, and Romania.

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“We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of Brazilian travellers. Despite a significant increase in travel, the caseload at our Sao Paulo processing office has decreased by almost 60 percent over the same time period, as explained by Fraser.

“With this expansion of the programme, our visa officers will now have more time to devote to processing existing visa applications, study permits, and work permits in order to expedite the process not only for those who benefit from today’s announcement, but for everyone waiting for an application to be processed.”

Since the program’s introduction in 2015, approximately 20,9 million eTAs have been issued. Officials anticipate that the expansion of the programme will attract an additional 200,000 or 20% more visitors from the thirteen countries. It is estimated that within a decade, increased travel from these nations will generate nearly $160 million in additional tourism revenue.

Those who are not eligible for an eTA or who are travelling to Canada by car, bus, train, or ferry, in addition to cruise ship, will still be required to obtain a visitor visa.

Visit Canada.ca/eTA to determine if you qualify for an eTA and how to apply.

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