Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) – New requirements for visitors to Canada

Are you flying to Canada? Do you need a Visitor Visa or do you need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)? Entry rules are changing; find out if those changes apply to you.

What is an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)?

Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announces that as of March 15, 2016, visa-free eligible nationals arriving by air to Canada are expected to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) but it won’t be necessary for overland entry or entry by sea. It will become mandatory beginning fall 2016. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens and Canadian permanent residents, don’t need an eTA.

eTA or Visitor Visa?

If you are a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. and have a valid alien registration card (Green Card), you need an eTA to visit or transit through Canada by air.

Here are the lists of countries/territories that need an eTA. If your country/territory is not listed below, you need a visitor visa to travel Canada.

Andorra

Anguilla

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

Austria

Bahamas

Barbados

Belgium

Bermuda

British Citizens

British overseas citizens – re-admissible to the United Kingdom

British overseas citizens – subject to control under the Immigration Act of 1971

British overseas territories, citizens of

British National (overseas)

British Subjects

British Virgin Islands

Brunei

Cayman Islands

Chile

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Falkland Islands

Finland

France

Germany

Gibraltar

Greece

Holy See

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland

Israel – holders of National Israeli Passport

Italy

Japan

Korea, Republic of

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Monaco

Montserrat

Netherlands

New Zealand

Norway

Papua New Guinea

Pitcairn

Poland

Portugal

Samoa

San Marino

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

Solomon Islands

Spain

St. Helena

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan – holders of the ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes their personal identification number

Turks and Caicos Islands

U.S. – permanent resident

You can confirm your eligibility and apply for an eTA here.

Source:

Image from Pinoy-Canada.com Tourist Spot Photocontest

cic.gc.ca