CANADA: Electronic Travel Authorization comes into effect

In Canada, the new entry requirement is now in force: countries that were previously exempt from visa requirements must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). This is the Canadian equivalent of the Visa Waiver Program(ESTA) introduced by the U.S. government in 2009.
The AVE costs only CAN$7. Most AVE applications are approved within minutes of being sent.

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Which countries are concerned?

The following are some of the exceptions:

  • U.S. citizens and travelers with a valid Canadian Visa
  • Canadian citizens, including dual citizens
  • Permanent residents of Canada

What this change means for Canadian citizens with dual nationality

If you are a Canadian citizen and a citizen of a country whose nationals are exempt from the visa requirement (Canadian citizen with dual nationality) and you usually fly to Canada with your non-Canadian passportYou don’t need to apply for an AVE: the AVE was introduced to control the admissibility of foreigners entering Canada temporarily.
All Canadian citizens have the right to enter Canada and are exempt from immigration control. By traveling with a valid Canadian passport, you prove that you are a Canadian citizen.

How do I get it?

Travelers must obtain an AVE before leaving for Canada. Even if the document is issued quickly, we advise you to plan ahead, as some applications can take several days to process. Please note that the AVE is obtained via the dedicated website managed by the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada.

The questionnaire is quite long, so we advise you to take the time to fill in all the fields correctly, to avoid any problems with the delivery of your document.

Remarks :

  • The period of leniency during which travelers can fly without an AVE ends on November 9.
  • No changes have been made to the requirements for entry by other means of transport (land or sea).
  • Travelers requesting an AVE are advised to be vigilant about companies claiming to offer assistance in obtaining an AVE. These companies do not act on behalf of the Government of Canada. Many have set up websites that charge fees for providing information and submitting EVA applications.
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