(CANADA) — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on Tuesday reaffirmed that citizens of 13 specific countries can travel to Canada visa-free by air under the expanded Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program, provided they meet “known traveler” criteria that rely in part on U.S. immigration vetting.
Eligible travellers must apply for an eTA, which costs $7 CAD, and the authorization is typically approved within minutes. The eTA is electronically linked to a traveller’s passport and is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires.
Purpose and government rationale
IRCC framed the policy as a way to reduce processing pressure while making trips cheaper and faster for visitors staying up to six months.
- “Introducing visa-free air travel will make it faster, easier, and more affordable for thousands of travellers to visit Canada for up to six months for either business or leisure. This decision will also divert thousands of applications from Canada’s visa caseload, allowing us to process visa applications more efficiently.”
The government described the expansion as both an administrative relief measure (to “divert thousands of applications” from the traditional visa caseload) and an economic boost for tourism. Ottawa expects the change to bring nearly $160 million in additional tourism revenue over the next decade.
Who is eligible — the 13 countries
The list of eligible countries spans the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, and the Indo-Pacific:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Costa Rica
- Morocco
- Panama
- Philippines
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Seychelles
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uruguay
Eligibility criteria — the “known traveler” requirement
To qualify for air travel without a visa under this program, travellers must meet at least one of the following conditions:
- Held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years, or
- Currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa.
- Travellers from the 13 countries who do not meet either requirement must still apply for a standard Canadian visitor visa.
- The eTA itself is not a work or study authorization; it permits visiting or transiting only. Travellers intending to work or study must use other immigration pathways.
Air-only program — land and sea remain unchanged
The program applies only to air travel. It does not eliminate visa requirements at land borders or ports.
If your plan includes land or sea travel, the eTA (air-only) doesn’t apply. You’ll still need a standard visitor visa for entry, so misjudging can cause delays or entry denial.
- Travellers arriving by land or sea, including cruise ship passengers, still require a standard visitor visa.
- The air-only design creates a clear dividing line for carriers: the visa-free pathway applies only when passengers fly to Canada and hold a valid eTA.
This distinction matters for travellers building complex itineraries (for example, flying into the U.S. and then crossing into Canada by land or arriving via cruise). IRCC guidance explicitly states the exemption is limited to air travel.
Relation to U.S. vetting and broader security context
Canada’s eTA expansion relies in part on U.S. vetting, because one route to qualification is holding a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa. Ottawa has repeatedly described the U.S. as a “trusted partner” in this approach.
- The policy’s emphasis on travellers already cleared by Canada or the U.S. comes as U.S. vetting rules tightened at the start of 2026.
- The United States implemented stricter vetting, including Proclamation 10998 effective Jan 1, 2026, which restricted entry from 39 countries.
- Canada positioned the eTA program as a targeted mechanism for low-risk travellers who have already cleared checks.
As a result, access can vary within the same nationality group: for instance, an Argentinian or Thai citizen who previously held a Canadian visa in the last decade can qualify, as can someone from those countries who currently holds a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa — but those meeting neither test must follow normal visitor visa procedures.
Administrative and operational details
- Fee: $7 CAD per eTA application.
- Processing time: Typically approved within minutes.
- Validity: Up to five years or until the passport expires.
- Purpose allowed: Visiting or transiting only (no work or study).
The eTA is an electronic authorization tied to the passport and is assessed prior to boarding a plane bound for Canada. IRCC says the requirement preserves a screening step even while designating visa-free air travel for eligible travellers.
Timeline and reaffirmation
- The eTA expansion was first announced on June 6, 2023.
- Officials continued to emphasize the policy in updates through late December 2025.
- The policy remained in place as of January 6, 2026, with officials restating its purpose of encouraging travel by people already assessed by Canada or the United States.
“This exciting development means that more individuals from around the world can now embark on unforgettable adventures. without the hurdle of visa requirements. Because they’ve already been successfully screened by Canada or the United States, our trusted partner, this program is going to provide expedited travel for many people,” said Hon. Sean Fraser, then Minister of Immigration, in the original announcement.
Ministerial comments and IRCC materials have consistently highlighted faster, easier, and more affordable short-term visits — specifically stays of up to six months for business or leisure.
Diplomatic and strategic framing
Canadian officials framed the expansion as a diplomatic gesture, particularly toward Caribbean and Indo-Pacific nations.
- Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly noted that adding the Philippines aligns with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
- The move was presented as both relationship-building and pragmatic: it eases access for people who have already been screened by Canada or the United States.
Official resources
The government has directed travellers to online resources for the eTA process and updates:
Key takeaways
- The eTA expansion allows citizens of 13 countries to travel visa-free by air to Canada if they meet known traveler criteria.
- Applicants must secure an eTA (fee $7 CAD, valid up to five years) before departure.
- The program is air-only; land and sea arrivals remain subject to standard visa rules.
- Eligibility depends on prior Canadian visas or current U.S. non-immigrant visas, creating within-country differences in access.
- The policy aims to reduce visa caseloads, encourage tourism (projected $160 million boost), and rely on allied screening arrangements.
Canada’s expanded eTA program allows eligible citizens from 13 specific countries to travel visa-free by air if they have previous Canadian or current U.S. visas. The policy aims to streamline immigration workloads, lower travel costs, and boost tourism by an estimated $160 million. While air entry is simplified, land and sea travelers still need traditional visas, and the eTA does not grant work or study rights.
