The Government of Canada has announced the expansion of its visa-free or electronic travel authorization (eTA) travel program for eligible travellers from 13 additional countries. This significant development aims to facilitate easier entry and enhance tourism, business, and educational opportunities for foreign nationals visiting Canada. 

List of Newly Added Countries to eTA Program 

Canada’s newly expanded eTA travel program will now allow citizens from the following countries to visit Canada without a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) for stays of up to a six-month period: 

  1. Antigua & Barbuda
  2. Argentina
  3. Costa Rica
  4. Morocco
  5. Panama
  6. Philippines
  7. St. Kitts & Nevis
  8. St. Lucia
  9. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
  10. Seychelles
  11. Thailand
  12. Trinidad & Tobago
  13. Uruguay

By expanding the eTA program, the Canadian government aims to enhance the overall travel experience and foster stronger ties with these countries. Eligible travellers from these countries who have previously held a Canadian visa within the last 10 years or currently possess a valid United States non-immigrant visa can now take advantage of the eTA’s simplified travel process.  

The requirement to possess a prior valid visa speaks to that person’s intention to return to their home country after their visit. By allowing individuals with track records of returning to their home country to enter Canada without a visa, IRCC is modernizing their assessment of high risk travellers. A similar pilot was tried in Brazil, with great success. 

Travellers entering Canada through a marine or land crossing will still need to apply for a visa. 

Adding new travel visa exemptions will open up processing resources and allow IRCC officers to focus on other types of files, reducing processing times overall at consular missions abroad.  

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