NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Canada Expands Visa-Free Travel For Filipinos With Proper Eligibility
Photp credit: Embassy of Canada in the PH
In a significant development, the Canadian government has announced that citizens of the Philippines now qualify for visa-free travel to Canada. This decision comes as a testament to the strong bilateral relations between the two countries and aims to facilitate easier and more accessible travel for Filipinos.
Canada has recognized the importance of the Filipino community in Canada, as well as the growing number of students and tourists from the Philippines. By including the Philippines in the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program, the Canadian government seeks to streamline travel procedures and enhance mobility between the two nations.
Under the new policy, citizens of the Philippines who have previously held a Canadian visa within the past decade or currently possess a valid United States non-immigrant visa are eligible to apply for an eTA. This travel authorization replaces the need for a visa when traveling to Canada by air.
The implementation of visa-free air travel is expected to expedite and simplify the process for thousands of Filipino travelers, enabling them to visit Canada for business or leisure purposes for up to six months. This change will not only promote tourism and international business opportunities but also foster stronger people-to-people and cultural ties between the two countries.
This decision aligns with Canada's existing mobility initiatives for the Philippines, such as the Transit Without Visa program, allowing eligible Filipino nationals to transit through Canada to or from the United States without a Canadian visa. Additionally, the Student Direct Stream expedites study permit processing for Filipino students applying to study in Canada.
The inclusion of the Philippines in the visa-free travel program also supports Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, which aims to strengthen relations and invest in people-to-people connections with countries in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Philippines.
Travelers who currently hold a valid visa can continue to utilize it for their trips to Canada. Those who are not eligible for an eTA or who plan to travel to Canada by means other than air, such as by land or sea, will still require a visitor visa.
To determine eligibility for an eTA and apply for one, travelers can visit the official website Canada.ca/etA.
Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, expressed his enthusiasm for this development, highlighting the convenience and benefits it brings to travelers. He emphasized that this expansion will enhance travel experiences, foster economic benefits, and strengthen the bond between Canada and the Philippines.
Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Global Affairs, also acknowledged the importance of making travel to Canada easier and safer. She emphasized that including countries like the Philippines in the eTA program aligns with Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy and aims to deepen engagement in the region and forge stronger people-to-people connections.
Quick Facts:
• The eTA is a digital travel document required for most visa-exempt travelers visiting or transiting through Canada by air.
• The eTA application involves a light-touch pre-travel screening conducted by Canadian officials. The cost of applying for an eTA is CAD $7, with most applications automatically approved within minutes.
• To apply for an eTA, travelers need a valid passport, a credit card, an email address, and internet access.
• The Philippines is one of the 13 additional countries whose eligible citizens can now benefit from visa-free travel.
• Over the past decade, Canada issued 466,936 temporary resident visas to citizens of the Philippines. Individuals who previously held Canadian visas or currently possess US non-immigrant visas may now be eligible for visa-free travel to Canada.
Canada has recognized the importance of the Filipino community in Canada, as well as the growing number of students and tourists from the Philippines. By including the Philippines in the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program, the Canadian government seeks to streamline travel procedures and enhance mobility between the two nations.
Under the new policy, citizens of the Philippines who have previously held a Canadian visa within the past decade or currently possess a valid United States non-immigrant visa are eligible to apply for an eTA. This travel authorization replaces the need for a visa when traveling to Canada by air.
The implementation of visa-free air travel is expected to expedite and simplify the process for thousands of Filipino travelers, enabling them to visit Canada for business or leisure purposes for up to six months. This change will not only promote tourism and international business opportunities but also foster stronger people-to-people and cultural ties between the two countries.
This decision aligns with Canada's existing mobility initiatives for the Philippines, such as the Transit Without Visa program, allowing eligible Filipino nationals to transit through Canada to or from the United States without a Canadian visa. Additionally, the Student Direct Stream expedites study permit processing for Filipino students applying to study in Canada.
The inclusion of the Philippines in the visa-free travel program also supports Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, which aims to strengthen relations and invest in people-to-people connections with countries in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Philippines.
Travelers who currently hold a valid visa can continue to utilize it for their trips to Canada. Those who are not eligible for an eTA or who plan to travel to Canada by means other than air, such as by land or sea, will still require a visitor visa.
To determine eligibility for an eTA and apply for one, travelers can visit the official website Canada.ca/etA.
Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, expressed his enthusiasm for this development, highlighting the convenience and benefits it brings to travelers. He emphasized that this expansion will enhance travel experiences, foster economic benefits, and strengthen the bond between Canada and the Philippines.
Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Global Affairs, also acknowledged the importance of making travel to Canada easier and safer. She emphasized that including countries like the Philippines in the eTA program aligns with Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy and aims to deepen engagement in the region and forge stronger people-to-people connections.
Quick Facts:
• The eTA is a digital travel document required for most visa-exempt travelers visiting or transiting through Canada by air.
• The eTA application involves a light-touch pre-travel screening conducted by Canadian officials. The cost of applying for an eTA is CAD $7, with most applications automatically approved within minutes.
• To apply for an eTA, travelers need a valid passport, a credit card, an email address, and internet access.
• The Philippines is one of the 13 additional countries whose eligible citizens can now benefit from visa-free travel.
• Over the past decade, Canada issued 466,936 temporary resident visas to citizens of the Philippines. Individuals who previously held Canadian visas or currently possess US non-immigrant visas may now be eligible for visa-free travel to Canada.
Jun 7, 2023
