As of August 1, 2015, visa-exempt nationals traveling to Canada by air became eligible to acquire Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTAs). Foreign nationals who seek to obtain an eTA, must complete an online application and pay a processing fee of $7 CAD. If the application is approved, the eTA will be valid for a period of five years or until the expiration date of the applicant’s passport (whichever period is shorter).
Beginning March 15, 2016, eTAs will become mandatory for all visa-exempt foreign nationals entering Canada by air. Travelers with a valid visa, Canadian Permanent Residents and U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement. CIC has provided a full list of countries and territories whose citizens will require an eTA upon traveling to Canada.
Please note that this is general information only and not intended as advice on a specific matter. Please feel free to contact Fakhoury Global Immigration directly with questions exclusive to your situation. This news alert may have been prepared using information from Peregrine Immigration Management, which is licensed to Fakhoury Global Immigration.