Canada’s Visa-Free for eligible Filipinos: What You Need to Know
Significantly, Canada has announced that the Philippines is included of its Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program, granting Canada’s visa-free for eligible Filipinos to enter the country. The program aims to facilitate travel between the two nations and build relations among nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
Understanding the eTA Program:
For those eligible, the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program introduces a digital travel document. The eTA is a convenient and efficient option for frequent travelers because it is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires. An eTA application costs CA$7 (about P300) and is typically approved immediately in a matter of minutes.
List of counties eligible for the program:
- 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 and Application Process:
Filipinos can apply for an eTA if they have held a Canadian visa within the past ten months and hold a valid non-immigrant or tourist visa for the United States. Eligible individuals just need to apply for the eTA, which grants them visa-free entry to Canada for both business and leisure purposes, rather than getting a traditional visa. Filipinos who meet the requirements may reside in Canada for a maximum of six months.
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Requirements to Apply for an ETA:
To apply for an ETA, interested individuals must have:
- a valid passport
- a credit card
- an email address
- and access to the internet
With these requirements in place, Filipinos can easily complete the online application process.
The Aims of Canada's Visa-Free Program:
The Philippines’ inclusion in the eTA program’s expansion is an essential milestone in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joy emphasizes the significance of participating in the region, strengthening people-to-people relationships, and improving access to, efficiency of, and safety of all travel to Canada. The new policy is anticipated to increase travel, open up business opportunities, and support efforts to reunite families between the two nations.
Significance for Filipinos and Canada:
As the fourth-largest ethnic community in Canada, Filipinos are acknowledged to have a significant diaspora within its borders. With around a million Filipinos residing and working in Canada, this visa-free program contributes to the country’s increased cultural diversity and economic growth. Furthermore, the growing number of Filipino visitors and students traveling to Canada highlights the importance of enhancing and streamlining travel between the two nations.
Through the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), the Philippines is included to participate in Canada’s visa-free program, opening up a world of exciting new travel possibilities. This development supports Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, which seeks to strengthen ties and encourage seamless travel throughout the region. The eTA program encourages tourism, family reunion efforts, and business connections by streamlining regulations and streamlining the application process. This visa-free program is a major step forward in deepening bilateral ties as Canada continues to place a high priority on its relationship with the Philippines.
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Klook.comSource: Canada.ca
