On March 15, 2016, the Canadian Government will be implementing
a new entry requirement for prospective visitors flying to Canada
from visa-exempt countries. Based off the US system, the new
Electronic Travel Authorizations or eTAs will be required for all
foreign nationals that don't require a Temporary Resident Visa
(TRV) to enter Canada on a non-permanent basis, aside from citizens
of the US.
Under the new eTA system, Canadian immigration authorities will
be able to prescreen passengers for admissibility before they
arrive in the country by air. Previously, the systematic screening
of people from Visa-exempt nations did not occur until their
arrival on Canadian soil, with many unwanted arrivals having to be
turned back once landed in the country. To apply for a Canadian eTA
online via credit card, it costs $7 CAD and authorization is valid
for a period of five years from the day it is issued or until the
applicant's passport expires, whichever comes first.
