Visa-free entry to Canada? Conditions apply

Spreading online posts saying entry to Canada is “visa-free” for Filipinos need clarification.

To qualify for a visa-free entry from the Philippines, the traveler must meet the following criteria:

• Must have held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or a current non-immigrant visa for the US.
• Must have a valid passport.
• Must be traveling via air.

These guidelines put up by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) were released as part of Canada’s hopes to ease the travel process.

It allows visitors to stay in Canada for up to six months without obtaining a separate visa.

Alongside the Philippines, 12 other countries are included in the expanded list of visa-free entry. These include Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.

To avail of visa-free entry, travelers can apply via the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). This waives having to pay the CAD $100 (₱4,275) visitor fee. Eligible travelers will only pay the CAD $7 (₱300) fee. Approval only takes a few minutes and can be valid for up to five years or until your passport expires.

For interested travelers, visit the Government of Canada official webpage to apply for eTA. Prepare a valid passport and credit or debit card to pay the fee. Standard Canadian entry requirements also apply, including proof you have sufficient funds for the visit, proof of intent to leave Canada before the authorized stay ends, and not posing a security or health risk.