Filipinos can now travel to Canada visa-free, but with specific requirements.
Canada announced the addition of 13 countries, including the Philippines, to its electronic travel authorization (eTA) program. This allows Filipinos who have held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or those who currently hold a US non-immigrant visa to register to the program to enter the country for up to 6 months, whether for business or leisure, without applying for a visa.
To apply for the eTA program, travelers must have a valid passport, a credit card, an email address, and access to the internet. According to the Canadian Embassy, most applications get approved within minutes. The application costs CA $7 or PHP293.
Here's a video providing instructions on how eligible Filipinos can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization instead of a visa for travel to Canada 👇
(A thread) (1/7) pic.twitter.com/H00SUp0NbY— Canada in the Philippines (@CanEmbPH) June 7, 2023
Aside from the Philippines, the other countries have been added to the eTA program are the following:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Costa Rica
- Morocco
- Panama
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Seychelles
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uruguay
Those who are not eligible for an eTA or who are travelling to Canada by mode of transportation other than air will still need a visitor visa. Travelers can visit Canada.ca/eTA to check if they’re eligible for an eTA and how to apply for one.
The move is part of Canada’s strategy in increasing mobility measures for the Philippines, which would also support the country’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Canada is anticipating 200,000 visitors from these 13 countries in 2024, garnering an estimated $160 million in revenue within a decade.
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