Travellers heading to Canada, or those merely transiting through the country, may need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) or a visitor visa before boarding their flight, depending on their nationality
and purpose of travel, according to a report by The Times of India. The report cites the latest guidance issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The IRCC has reiterated the entry requirements for foreign travellers and clarified which travellers need an eTA, who must obtain a full visitor visa and what documents are required for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and US travellers.
Who Needs An eTA To Travel To Canada?
An eTA is a digital travel requirement linked to a traveller’s passport. According to the report, it is mandatory for visa-exempt foreign nationals who are flying to or transiting through Canada.
Citizens of countries eligible for an eTA generally need both an eTA and a valid passport to board a flight to Canada. In such cases, a separate visitor visa is not required.
However, the requirement changes depending on how a traveller enters Canada. Those from eTA-eligible countries who arrive by car, bus, train or boat, including cruise ships, generally do not need an eTA. They must, however, carry a valid passport.
One exception applies to travellers arriving by sea from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. According to the report, they require an eTA to board, unless they are arriving by cruise ship.
Some Visa-Required Travellers May Also Use An eTA
The report also highlights that citizens of certain visa-required countries may qualify for an eTA instead of a full visitor visa, but only when travelling to Canada by air.
The same travellers cannot use an eTA if they enter Canada by car, bus, train or boat, including a cruise ship. In those circumstances, they would still need a full visitor visa.
This makes the mode of travel an important factor in determining which Canadian travel authorisation is required.
How To Apply For A Canada eTA
The eTA application is completed online and, according to the report, is usually approved within minutes. However, some applications can take several days if additional documents are requested.
The IRCC has advised travellers to apply before booking their flight to avoid possible delays. The eTA costs CAD 7 and remains valid for up to five years, or until the passport linked to it expires.
Rules For Canadian Citizens And Permanent Residents
Canadian citizens who also hold citizenship of another country must travel using a valid Canadian passport, according to the guidance cited by the report.
Canadian permanent residents do not require an eTA or visitor visa. They must instead travel with a valid permanent resident card or a permanent resident travel document.
The report also points out an important detail concerning Canadian permanent residency.
Permanent resident status itself does not expire. As a result, people who previously lived in Canada, even if they left the country long ago, may still have valid PR status and should confirm their status before travelling.
Who Needs A Full Visitor Visa?
Travellers from countries whose citizens require a visa must apply for a visitor visa rather than an eTA, according to the report, with the exception of those who qualify under the specific eTA provisions outlined by IRCC.
Stateless individuals and people travelling on a foreign passport issued for stateless persons must also apply for a visitor visa regardless of whether they plan to travel to Canada by air, land or sea.
US Citizens And Green Card Holders
US citizens are exempt from Canada’s eTA requirement. They must instead carry appropriate identification, including a valid US passport.
US lawful permanent residents, or green card holders, have separate documentation requirements.
According to the report, they must present both a valid passport from their country of citizenship, or an accepted equivalent travel document, and a valid green card or equivalent proof of US status, regardless of how they enter Canada.
The IRCC lists several forms of acceptable status documentation, including a valid Form I-551 permanent resident card, a foreign passport carrying a valid I-551 or ADIT stamp, and certain combinations involving expired cards and relevant USCIS notices.
Basic Entry Requirements For All Travellers
Having the appropriate travel authorisation is not the only condition for entering Canada. The IRCC guidance cited by the report sets out several baseline requirements that visitors must meet.
Travellers must have a valid travel document, such as a passport, along with the required eTA or visitor visa. They must also be in good health and have no criminal or immigration-related convictions.
Travellers may also have to demonstrate to a border services officer that they have sufficient ties to their home country, such as employment, property, financial assets or family, and that they intend to leave Canada at the end of their authorised stay.
They must also be able to show that they have enough money to support themselves during their visit. The amount required can vary depending on factors including the length of the stay and the traveller’s accommodation arrangements.
The IRCC guidance therefore makes clear that travellers should establish which authorisation applies to them before setting out for Canada, particularly because requirements can differ based on nationality as well as whether they are travelling by air, land or sea.
