New Electronic Travel Authorization Required For Visa-Exempt Individuals Entering Canada

On August 1, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada ("CIC") began accepting online applications for the new electronic Travel Authorization ("eTA") program. Starting March 15, 2016, most visa-exempt foreign nationals will not be permitted to board an airplane bound for Canada without first obtaining an eTA. The program aims to identify inadmissible foreign nationals prior to departure, deterring them from travelling and thereby avoiding significant expense and delay for the inadmissible individual, fellow travellers, air carriers, and the Canadian government. The eTA policy is expected to affect many travellers to Canada. Excluding citizens of the United States, who are exempt from the eTA requirement, visa-exempt foreign nationals represent approximately 74% of foreign nationals who arrive by air in Canada.