Visa policy of Canada

Entry passport stamp for Canada issued to a citizen of Colombia by the Canada Border Services Agency at Lewiston–Queenston Border Crossing in 2014.

A foreign national wishing to enter Canada must obtain a temporary resident visa from one of the Canadian diplomatic missions unless he or she holds a passport issued by one of the 52 eligible visa exempt countries and territories or proof of permanent residence in the United States.[1]

All visa exempt travelers except Americans to Canada are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when arriving Canada by air since 10 November 2016.[2][3] Travelers are able to apply early as of 1 August 2015.[4]

Applications of visitor visas, work permits, study permits and certain types of permanent residency can be lodged online.[5]

Visa policy map

  Canada
  Countries with visa-free access to Canada
(eTA required when arriving by air, except for United States nationals)
  Visa required for entry to Canada

Visa exemptions

Holders of passports issued by the following countries and territories are able to visit Canada with an eTA for a period of up to six months, except for U.S. nationals and citizens of France residing in Saint Pierre and Miquelon arriving directly from the territory, who are exempt from the eTA requirement.[6]

Visitors are eligible if they are in good health, can convince an immigration officer that they have ties (job, home, financial assets or family) that will take them back to their home country and have enough money for their stay.[7] In some cases a medical exam or a letter of invitation may be required.[8]

Notes
  1. ^ – excluding Bulgaria Bulgaria and Romania Romania.
  2. ^ – French citizens residing in Saint Pierre and Miquelon and arriving directly from the territory do not require an eTA.
  3. ^ – including British citizens holding Guernsey passport, Manx passport or Jersey passport; British Overseas Territories citizens holding Anguillan passport, Bermudian passport, British Virgin Islands passport, Caymanian passport, Gibraltar passport, Montserratian passport, Pitcairn Islands passport, Saint Helena passport or Turks and Caicos Islands passport; British National (Overseas) holding British National (Overseas) passport; and if having the right of abode in the UK — British Overseas citizens holding British Overseas citizen passport and British subjects holding British subject passport.
  4. ^ – visa free travel for holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports only.
  5. ^ – visa free travel for holders of national Israeli passports only.
  6. ^ – visa free travel only for holders of the ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes their personal identification number.
  7. ^ – Including persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who are in possession of their alien registration card (Green card) or can provide other valid evidence of permanent residence. U.S. nationals can enter with any proof of citizenship. U.S permanent residents, however, are required to have an eTA, a travel document and proof of permanent residence.
Allowed stay

On entry, Canada Border Services Officer (BSO) stamp passports or travel documents and visitors are granted a stay of 6 months from the date of entry. If a specific date was written on the stamp, however, the visitor must leave Canada before that date.[9][10] Visitors wishing to extend their status date must apply 30 days before it expires.[11]

Inclusion criteria

In order to be added to the visa waiver list a country has to fulfill about 40 conditions, grouped into seven categories:[12]

The decision is made by analyzing all of the criteria in an overall review instead of a checklist so there is a certain level of flexibility.

Electronic Travel Authorization

In December 2013, the Canadian government announced intention to introduce a system named Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), similar to the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), as part of an action plan to establish a common approach to screening visa-exempt foreign nationals.[13] The Privacy Commissioner of Canada expressed concern over the plan.[14]

An eTA is mandatory for all visa-free eligible nationals except Americans arriving by air since 10 November 2016. Travellers were able to apply early as of August 1, 2015. An eTA is not necessary for overland entry or entry by sea, but solely for arriving by air.[15]

Visitors can apply through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website and are required to pay a cost recovery fee of C$7.[16] Visitors have to provide biographic details, passport and background information that is otherwise required in visa applications. Other required data includes information on additional citizenship, available funds, employment information and contact details including residential address. Applicants also have to answer questions about their health, immigration history and on any convictions they may have. There are no questions on travel plans in Canada.[17] Following a risk assessment of the applicant, an eTA valid for multiple entries to Canada over a period of up to five years or until the passport's expiration date should be issued.

Exemptions

The following persons are exempted from obtaining the eTA:[18]

In addition, persons on a flight that originates from or travels to the United States and stops in Canada for refuelling do not need an eTA, nor do those on a flight that has made an emergency landing in Canada.

The following persons are barred from applying the eTA:

Dual Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada

A Canadian citizen who also has citizenship or nationality of a visa-exempt country (except United States) and does not have a valid Canadian passport are barred from applying for an eTA and are required to enter Canada with a Canadian passport when arriving in Canada by air. However, those who have a flight to Canada in 10 days and meet the requirements can apply for a one-time special authorization online, which is valid for a maximum of 4 days from the applicants' travel starting date and a single entry to Canada. To be eligible, the person must meet one of the following requirements:[20]

The measure will be in force until 31 January 2017.[20]

The special authorization does not apply to Canadian citizens who do not meet the requirements, or those who are entering Canada by land or sea. As U.S. passport holders are not required to apply for an eTA under any circumstances, this measure also does not apply to them, and they can continue to travel to Canada with their U.S. passports by air even if they do not have a Canadian passport.[20]

Permanent residents of Canada from visa-exempt countries are also barred from applying for an eTA and must travel with their valid PR card or a one-time permanent resident travel document (PRTD) when travelling to Canada by air unless holding a U.S. passport.[21] Those without valid PR cards or PRTDs are not allowed to board a flight to Canada and, if they no longer wish to maintain their PR status of Canada, must renounce the status in order to be eligible for an eTA.[19]

Future expansion

The eTA scheme is planned to expand to include citizens of three other countries with certain conditions. Starting from 1 May 2017, citizens of the following countries who have held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or who hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa will be allowed to enter Canada solely with an eTA when arriving by air:[22]

Before 1 May 2017, citizens from these countries still need a visa to enter Canada. The Canadian government also plans to expand the eTA scheme to all citizens of Bulgaria and Romania (regardless of previous visits to Canada or the U.S.) starting from 1 December 2017.[22]

Transit

In general, a foreign national who needs to transit through Canada to reach his or her final destination needs a transit visa, unless they fulfill one of the conditions listed below.[23]

There is a plan to allow all passengers to transit without a visa through the Vancouver International Airport.[24]

Visa-exempt nationals

Nationals of visa-exempt countries and U.S. permanent residents are eligible to transit through Canada without a visa regardless of final destination and modes of transport, however all visa-exempt nationals except Americans are required to have an eTA for transit if arriving by air.[2]

Special waivers for travellers to and from the United States

The Transit Without Visa Program (TWOV) and the China Transit Program (CTP) allow certain non-visa-exempt nationals to transit through Canada on their way to and from the United States without a Canadian transit visa. To be eligible, they must fulfill the following criteria:[1][25]

In addition, passengers must remain in the sterile international transit area when arriving from the U.S., or the post-preclearance area when arriving from a third country and have cleared U.S. immigration and customs. Leaving the designated area is not permitted.

When travelling to the U.S., the passenger must hold a valid U.S. visa. However, an expired U.S. visa is acceptable for transit if the traveler is travelling from the U.S. to a third country, has not overstayed the authorized period in the U.S. and is not under a removal or deportation order.

Nationals of the following countries are eligible for TWOV:[26]

For CTP, the travellers must hold the China Chinese passport and leave from airports of one of the following cities as last points of embarkation when travelling to the U.S.: Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Manila, Seoul Incheon, Taipei, Tokyo Haneda, Tokyo Narita, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang and Harbin.[27][28][29]

Types of temporary residents and Canadian visas

Types of temporary residents

Under Canadian government definitions, a temporary resident, as opposed to a permanent resident, is "a foreign national who is legally authorized to enter Canada for temporary purposes".[30] Temporary residents are subjected to a number of conditions, such as the length of stay, and the ability to work or study while in Canada.

There are four types of temporary residents:

Except for visitors who may enter Canada with proof of citizenship, an eTA or a temporary resident visa depending on their nationality, all other temporary residents must hold valid permits while in Canada, which must be applied before arrival, on arrival or after arrival. They may also need an eTA or a temporary resident visa in order to re-enter Canada.[31]

Working holiday

Canada's working holiday scheme, International Experience Canada (IEC), provides non-Canadian citizens the opportunity to work in Canada as TFWs on an IEC work permit.[32] IEC is divided into three tiers:[33]

Depending on the agreements with the respective countries, non-Canadian citizens may be eligible to participate in all three tiers, or one or two tiers out of the three. To be eligible, they have to be a citizen of the following countries within the age limit:

Nationals other than those countries can still participate through a Recognized Organization (RO).[34]

Temporary resident visa

A single-entry Canadian visa on a Hungarian passport.

Citizens of the majority of countries need a temporary resident visa to visit Canada. They need to apply either online or on paper at one of the Canadian Visa application centres (run by VFS Global) or a consular office.[35][36] There are no separate application forums for business visitors.[37][38]

Canada has introduced a program known as CAN+ for visitors of some countries who have been to Canada in the last 10 years or who possess a valid U.S. visa. When applying through CAN+, the applicant only needs to submit his or her proof of travel to U.S. or Canada and can submit lesser proof of financial support. The program is only available at certain visa offices or for nationals of certain countries.[38][39][40][41][42][43]

Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply for the parent and grandparent super visa which allows them to stay for up to two years in Canada without renewing their status.[44]

Countries whose citizens undergo a mandatory biometrics collection for a Canadian visa.

Citizens of the following 29 countries, as of December 2013, also must provide biometrics (fingerprints and photograph):[45]

The list is expected to be extended to 148 countries.[46][47]

Number of tourist visas issued:[48]

Year Number of
visas
2009 543,894
2010 599,200
2011 606,750
2012 664,042
2013 686,128
2014 835,396
Arrival statistics

Most visitors arriving to Canada in 2015 came from the following countries of residence:[49]

Visa policy changes

Canada's visa policy has gone through a number of changes in the recent years. In 1984, citizens of 76 countries can travel to Canada without a visa.[50] The number of countries has now dropped to 52.

On 5 September 2002, visa restrictions were reintroduced for Saudi Arabian citizens travelling to Canada because "Saudi Arabia has not demonstrated the necessary will nor that it possesses the infrastructure to deny the use of its passports to terrorists, criminals or other inadmissible persons".[51]

On 24 September 2002, visa restrictions were reintroduced for Malaysian citizens travelling to Canada because "the Malaysian passport and passport issuing system are vulnerable to abuse".[52][53]

On 11 May 2004, visa restrictions were reintroduced for Costa Rican citizens travelling to Canada because the "number of Costa Rican nationals travelling to Canada to claim refugee protection or to enter the United States illegally, using Canada as a transit point, continues to grow" and also because there is "a growing incidence of Costa Rican document abuse by nationals of neighbouring countries".[54]

On 26 March 2009, visa requirements were lifted for Croatian citizens travelling to Canada because "immigration violation and visa application refusal rates for Croatian nationals have steadily decreased over the past five years, while the number of refugee claims and removals has remained low".[55]

On 13 July 2009, visa restrictions were reintroduced for Mexican citizens travelling to Canada because of three main factors: the number of refugee claims for Mexican nationals has substantially increased from less than 3,500 in 2005 to almost 9,500 in 2008, the immigration violation rate has steadily increased over the past three years and the risks related to travel documents, organised crime and corruption.[56]

Canadian citizens enjoy visa-free access to the Schengen Area, which includes the Czech Republic. When the Czech Republic joined the European Union with 9 other countries in 2004, the European Union started a dialogue with the Canadian government to lift visa requirements for citizens of these countries to receive visa reciprocity between the all Schengen countries and Canada. The result was the lifting of visa requirements for Czech citizens in October 2007.[57] However, on 16 July 2009, Canada reintroduced visa requirements for Czech citizens as the overstay percentage was very high because many Roma filed for asylum.[58][59] The EU urged Canada that "This highly regrettable situation should be brought to an end as soon as possible."[60] In October 2013, following a contentious reform of the refugee determination system that significantly brought down the number of false asylum claims, Canada lifted visa requirement for Czech citizens effective immediately on November 14, 2013.[61]

Starting from 22 November 2010, holders of an ordinary Taiwan passport with a personal identification number were able to enter Canada without a visa because "TRV refusal rates and the number of immigration violations, removals, and asylum claims by Taiwan passport holders are low".[62]

On 13 September 2012, Botswana, Namibia, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Swaziland were removed from the list of exempted nations. As a result, citizens of these five countries were required to obtain visas in advance to travel to or transit through Canada.[63] Botswana, Namibia, and Swaziland were removed primarily due to concerns relating to human trafficking (especially of minors) and the use of fraudulent documents. Also, Namibia had the highest immigration violation rate, with 81% of its citizens in Canada committing immigration violations, and 71% of Namibian travellers made asylum claims in 2011 in Canada. Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were removed mainly because of unreliable travel documents, in particular because "criminals from these countries can legally change their names and acquire new passports". In certain cases, citizens of these two countries "who were removed from Canada as security risks later returned using different passports". In addition, the removal of Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was prompted by the "unacceptably high number of asylum claims from St. Lucia and St. Vincent, with about one and a half percent and three percent of the population of these countries making asylum claims in Canada over the past five years".

On 12 May 2014, Canadian government sources announced a possible removal of visa requirements for Chilean citizens, following its participation as the 38th member of the Visa Waiver Program.[64] Visa requirements were finally lifted on 22 November 2014.[65]

In October 2014, it was reported that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the European Union might not be ratified by Bulgaria and Romania unless the visa requirement was lifted for their citizens by Canada.[66][67] Under Canadian legislation, for a country to be added to the visa waiver list there should be less than 3% immigration violations and visa refusal rate of less than 3% over 3 years. For Bulgarians the immigration violation rate was 4.4% in 2013 and the average 3 year visa refusal rate was 15.76%. For Romanians the immigration violation rate was 2.7% in 2013 and the average 3 year visa refusal rate was 15%. Even though the thresholds are not absolute, Canadian authorities notified the EU that political manoeuvre is not possible when the difference between the threshold and rates is too big.[12]

As of 22 November 2014, holders of Saint Kitts and Nevis passports need a visa to enter Canada due to national security concerns.[68]

In December 2014, Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird announced changes in legislation that would allow a visa-free regime for all EU citizens.[69]

In April 2015, the previous Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, announced that Brazilian, Bulgarian, Mexican and Romanian citizens who have recently visited Canada or who have a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa will be able to visit Canada without a visa but with an electronic authorization from 2016.[70][71][72]

Incumbent Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has committed to abolish visa requirements for Mexicans visiting Canada.[73][74] On 28 June 2016, Trudeau announced that the visa requirements for Mexican nationals will be lifted on 1 December 2016, although many government officials were critical of the plan and advised against it. The risks identified include Mexico's weak passport controls, a potential rise in fake asylum claims, the increase of human and illegal drug trafficking, and the involvement of organized crime of some travelers. In addition, the U.S. can potentially tighten border controls which may slow the cross-border trades between the two countries and harm Canada's economy.[75] Opposition parties criticized that the move was "a completely political quid pro quo" in exchange for the Mexican government to lift the ban on Canadian beef since 2003.[76]

On 31 October 2016, the Canadian government announced that Canada intends to lift visa requirement for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens on 1 December 2017. The visa requirement will be lifted in stages. From 1 May 2017, Bulgarian and Romanian citizens who have had a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or who hold a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa can flight to or transit through Canada without a Canadian visa. This measure will apply to all Bulgarians and Romanians starting from 1 December 2017.[77]

According to CBC News, sources confirmed that after Donald Trump has been elected to U.S. presidentcy on 8 November 2016, high level meetings took place between officials at IRCC and other departments in order to prepare for a potential surge of asylum seekers and overstayers from Mexico, although the visa requirements will still be dropped on 1 December as planned. Some officials did state that Canada will reintroduce visa requirements if the number of asylum seekers is too high.[78]

On 24 November 2016, the Canadian government announced that starting from 25 November 2016, Mexican nationals can apply for the eTA online. However, Mexicans entering Canada before 1 December would continue to need a visa. On the same day, Mexican nationals can no longer apply for a visa online and must apply on paper through a visa application centre.[79] The visa requirement was lifted on 1 December as planned, altough Statistics Canada predicts that the net cost of lifting the visa requirement is over C$262 million in the next decade which includes the additional immigration enforcement resources and the extra costs of processing asyum claims.[80]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Visa Information - Canada". Timatic. IATA. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  2. 1 2 Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
  3. ↑ Canada gives visa-exempt travellers 6 months to comply with electronic travel authorization
  4. ↑ Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
  5. ↑ What can I apply for online?
  6. ↑ Countries and territories whose citizens do not need a visa (visa exemptions). IRCC
  7. ↑ Determine your eligibility–Visit Canada as a tourist
  8. ↑ Medical exam requirements for temporary residents (visitors, students and workers)
  9. ↑ Temporary residents: Examination and admission at the port of entry
  10. ↑ Prepare for arrival—Visit Canada
  11. ↑ Extend your stay – Visit Canada
  12. 1 2 REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION assessing the situation of non-reciprocity with certain third countries in the area of visa policy
  13. ↑ Notice requesting comments on a proposal to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations to establish the electronic travel authorization (eTA) program
  14. ↑ Tourists to pay new fee under Canada’s proposed online screening plan
  15. ↑ canada.ca/eTA
  16. ↑ Flying to Canada?
  17. ↑ Electronic Travel Authorization Description of application form fields
  18. ↑ eTA Exemptions
  19. 1 2 Canadian woman's family sideswiped by new passport requirement
  20. 1 2 3 Dual Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport
  21. ↑ I am a permanent resident of Canada. Do I need an eTA if I leave and want to return to Canada by air?
  22. 1 2 When will citizens from Brazil, Bulgaria and Romania be able to apply for an eTA?, Government of Canada, 8 September 2016.
  23. ↑ Transit through Canada
  24. ↑ YVR likely to get approval for transit-without-visa program before April
  25. ↑ Transit through Canada without a visa
  26. ↑ Determine your eligibility – Transit without a visa
  27. ↑ Determine your eligibility – China Transit Program
  28. ↑ Canada to expand China Transit Program starting from June
  29. ↑ Canadian Airports to boost Chinese pax
  30. ↑ Temporary residents
  31. ↑ Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (SOR/2002-227)
  32. ↑ International Experience Canada – travel and work in Canada
  33. ↑ Find out if you’re eligible – International Experience Canada
  34. ↑ Recognized Organizations for foreign youth – International Experience Canada
  35. ↑ Visit as a tourist
  36. ↑ Find a visa application centre
  37. ↑ Determine your eligibility – Visit on business
  38. 1 2 Temporary Resident Visa: Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou Visa Office Instructions
  39. ↑ Archived - Facilitating legitimate trade and travel
  40. ↑ Visa Office Instructions for: Bengaluru (Bangalore), Chandigarh, New Delhi
  41. ↑ Temporary Resident Visa: Buenos Aires Visa Office Instructions
  42. ↑ Temporary Resident Visa: Bucharest Visa Office Instructions
  43. ↑ Temporary Resident Visa: Manila Visa Office Instructions
  44. ↑ Visit your children or grandchildren
  45. ↑ Find out if you need to give biometrics
  46. ↑ Travellers to Canada who require visas to face biometric testing
  47. ↑ Travellers needing visas to enter Canada to undergo biometric screening
  48. ↑ Visitor Visas (V-1 Counterfoil Only) Issued Overseas (in Persons), 2009 - 2014 Q2
  49. ↑ Service bulletin International Travel: Advance Information, December 2015
  50. ↑ Yankee Classic: US/Canadian Border Crossings 25 Years Ago
  51. ↑ "Canada Gazette" (PDF). Government of Canada. 2002-09-25. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  52. ↑ "Canada Gazette" (PDF). Government of Canada. 2002-10-09. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  53. ↑ "Canada imposes visa requirements on Malaysians". Malaysiakini. 2002-09-23. Retrieved 2013-01-05.
  54. ↑ "Canada Gazette" (PDF). Government of Canada. 2004-05-19. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  55. ↑ "ARCHIVED — Canada Gazette – Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (temporary resident visa exemption for nationals of Croatia)" (PDF). Government of Canada. 2009-04-15. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  56. ↑ "Canada Gazette" (PDF). Government of Canada. 2009-08-05. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  57. ↑ Fourth Visa reciprocity report European Union
  58. ↑ "News Release – Canada imposes a visa on the Czech Republic". Cic.gc.ca. Retrieved 2013-01-05.
  59. ↑ MEPs ask Canada to lift visa requirements for all EU citizen Euractive.com
  60. ↑ Fifth visa reciprocity report European Union
  61. ↑ Canada abolishes visas for Czechs
  62. ↑ "Canada Gazette" (PDF). Government of Canada. 2010-12-08. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  63. ↑ "Citizenship and Immigration Canada: News Release — Canada imposes visas on St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland". Government of Canada. 2012-09-12. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  64. ↑ Ottawa speeds up visa process for Mexicans entering Canada
  65. ↑ Notice – Canada lifts the visa requirement for visitors from Chile
  66. ↑ Canada-EU trade: Ambassador confident visa concerns from Romania, Bulgaria will be resolved
  67. ↑ Visa snag looms as Harper heralds end of Canada-EU deal
  68. ↑ Notice – St. Kitts and Nevis citizens now need a visa to travel to Canada
  69. ↑ John Baird: Canada Is Preparing To Lift Visas for EU Citizens
  70. ↑ Canada Easing Visa Regime for Bulgarian Visitors from 2016
  71. ↑ PM Ponta: Canada relaxes visa regime for Romanians from 2016
  72. ↑ Canada eases rules for Mexican travelers
  73. ↑ Justin Trudeau Formally Commits To Lifting Visa Requirement For Mexicans
  74. ↑ Canada to lift visa requirements for Mexicans
  75. ↑ Lifting Mexican visa rules runs counter to official advice
  76. ↑ Canada drops Mexican visa requirement, Mexico lifts beef ban
  77. ↑ Canada announces its intention to allow all Romanians and Bulgarians to travel to Canada visa-free on December 1, 2017
  78. ↑ Canadian officials preparing for potential flood of Mexican migrants after Trump wins presidency
  79. ↑ Canada provides early eTA enrolment for Mexican citizens
  80. ↑ Mexican visa lift expected to cost Canada $262M over a decade
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