Canada Visa- Free Travel Program now open to Filipinos as the Philippines is among the countries added to the eTA program of Canada.
Eligible Filipinos can qualify for Canada “visa-free” travel under its’ electronic visa authorization (eTA) program. As announced by Sean Frazer, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Philippines is among the 13 countries added to the visa-free travel program.
Starting June 7, 2023, Philippine passport holders can now enter Canada without a Canadian visa. This move by the Canadian government aims to make its immigration program and services more dynamic and affordable to travelers.
Other than that, it also intends to strengthen the relations between Canada and the 13 countries in the Indo-Pacific region. The eTA expansion is also done to increase travel and tourism aside enhancing economic benefits while keeping everyone safe.
The Canadian Embassy in the Philippines said that introducing the visa- free air travel will make it easier and affordable for Filipino travelers to visit Canada be it for leisure or business for a maximum stay of 6 months.
What is a Canadian eTA?
A Canadian eTA is a digital document that most visa- exempt travelers need to travel or through Canada by air.
The Canadian officials use the eTA application to handle pre-travel screening of air travelers.
Canada Visa- Free Travel Program Open to Filipinos
Who are eligible for visa-free under Canada eTA program
- Filipino travelers who were issued temporary resident visa in the last 10 years
- Individuals with valid Unite States non-immigrant visa
Per the Canadian Embassy, most eTA applications are automatically approved within minutes and the Canada eTA application cost CAD$7 (Canadian Dollars).
Requirements for eTA Application
- Valid passport
- Credit card
- e-mail address
- Access to the internet
Countries Added to Canada’s eTA Program
These 13 countries were added to Canada Electronic Visa Authorization Program. Travelers from these nations can now apply for an eTA instead of a visa when traveling to Canada by air.
- 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
Travelers with a valid visa may continue to use it when traveling to Canada.
Individuals not qualified to apply for eTA and those traveling to Canada by means other than by air (cruise ship, boat, bus, car, train) still need to apply for a Canada visitor’s visa.
Also, OFWs and Filipinos applying for work in Canada are not eligible for the visa-free entry if they are not eligible under the eTA program.
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