ETA CANADA TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION UPDATE
The Canadian government has introduced a travel authorization process, similar to theESTA authorization system introduced by the United States a decade ago, to enable travelers to visit or transit through Canada. Launched on November 10, 2016, ETA Canada aims to strengthen Canadian border security while facilitating entry for people wishing to visit the country for tourism or business reasons.
ETA CANADA: WHO’S AFFECTED?
In order to apply for ETA Canada, travelers must be nationals of one of the countries that have signed agreements with the Canadian government:
| Germany | Spain | Iceland | Poland | Vatican |
| Andorra | Estonia | Italy | Portugal | Uruguay |
| Anguilla | Finland | Japan | Czech republic | Antigua and Barbuda |
| Australia | France | Latvia | Republic of Korea | Argentina |
| Austria | Gibraltar | Liechtenstein | Romania | Costa Rica |
| Bahamian | Greece | Lithuania | UK | Morocco |
| Barbados | hong kong | Luxemburg | Sainte-Hélène | Panama |
| Belgium | Hungary | Malta | San Marino | Philippines |
| Bermuda | Cayman Islands | Mexico | Samoa | Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| Brunei | Falkland Islands | monaco | Singapore | Saint Lucia |
| Bulgaria | Pitcairn Islands | Montserrat | Slovakia | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Chile | Solomon Islands | Norway | Slovenia | Seychelles |
| Cyprus | Turks and Caicos Islands | New Zealand | Sweden | Thailand |
| Croatia | British Virgin Islands | Papua New Guinea | Swiss | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Denmark | Ireland | Netherlands | Taiwan |
You can apply for an ETA Canada using the downloadable form available on the Canadian government website. The process is very simple, requiring just a few minutes of your time: bring your passport, whose validity date must be sufficient to cover the period of your stay. Once you’ve paid the $7 application fee, you’ll receive a reply by email within 72 hours.
Important : if you’re traveling as a family, you can’t apply as a group: you need to fill in an eTA Canada form for each adult and child.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF ETA CANADA?
Like its American precursor, the Travel Authorization allows travelers to dispense with the traditional visa, which often costs more and takes longer to obtain. Once you have your ETA Canada, the document authorizes you to travel to Canada as many times as you like over a 5-year period. If your application is refused, this does not mean that you are barred from entering Canada, but that you will need to contact the embassy to obtain a visa.
Please note : with the ETA Canada, each stay is limited to a maximum of 6 months. However, it is possible to renew your stay several times during its validity.
With the recent creation of ETA Canada, it seems that this computerized travel authorization system has been winning over more and more countries in recent years. Inaugurated by the United States in 2009, this approach offers advantages for both travelers and the authorities of the country concerned:
- Check the identity and purpose of tourists;
- Strengthening border and airport security;
- Financing campaigns to promote tourism;
- Visa exemption for travelers ;
- A quick and inexpensive way to obtain the product.
Europe, which also seems to be interested in the concept, plans to implement its own travel authorization in 2025.