Visitors to Canada May Require Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
November 15, 2016
Effective November 10, Canada instituted a new entry requirement. Foreign nationals who are visa-exempt who fly or transit through Canada must possess an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) prior to boarding a flight to Canada. Potential visitors to Canada should consult the full list of visa-exempt countries found on the Canadian government’s immigration website. This site also lists which visitors require a visa (as opposed to the eTA) to enter Canada, listed by country. The online application for the eTA is also found on that website.
Exceptions to the eTA requirement include: US citizens; visitors who enter Canada by car; and visitors with a valid Canadian visa. Canadian citizens must be sure to re-enter Canada with a valid Canadian passport. Canadian permanent residents must carry and present their valid permanent resident (PR) card or permanent resident travel document (PRTD).
Non-immigrant visa holders in the U.S. (H-1B, L-1, etc.) should determine if they require a Canadian visa stamp or eTA before flying to Canada, whether to attend meetings or apply for a U.S. visa stamp at an American Consulate in Canada. The Canadian immigration website provides an easy-to-use tool for determining who needs a visa or eTA.
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