July 9, 2015 – Canada will begin accepting applications
for its new Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program on August
1, 2015. As of March 15, 2016, foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries will be required to
obtain an eTA prior to travelling to Canada as part of a new entry
authorization system.
The program is the product of a joint U.S.-Canada border action
plan to cooperate on prescreening of travelers in order to identify
security threats. The Canadian system is similar to the
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for visa-waived
nationals travelling to the United States.
Who is affected?
All foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries, as well as
U.S. permanent residents, travelling to Canada by air must obtain
an eTA prior to boarding their flight. U.S. citizens, as well as
foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries who enter Canada by
land or sea, are not affected.
