Canada has recently expanded its visa-free travel list, granting visitors from 13 different countries across Asia, Africa, Central and South America the privilege of traveling without a visa. The Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, made the announcement on Tuesday, unveiling the countries included in the extended travel program.
The newly added countries eligible for visa-free travel to Canada are Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts-Nevis, Panama, Argentina, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Morocco, Seychelles, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, and the Philippines. Notably absent from the list is Nigeria, the most populous African nation.
The expansion of the electronic travel authorization (eTA) programs aims to facilitate easier travel for “known travelers” from the aforementioned countries for both leisure and business purposes. Minister Fraser emphasized that the visa exemptions not only provide convenience for travelers but also bring about increased travel, tourism, and economic benefits, further strengthening global bonds with the 13 countries involved.
One significant advantage for known travelers from these countries is the substantial cost savings resulting from the visa exemptions. While a visitor visa currently costs $100 per person and $500 for a family of five or more, an eTA only incurs a fee of seven dollars per person and remains valid for up to five years.
By introducing visa-free air travel, the Canadian government aims to expedite and streamline the process, making it faster, easier, and more affordable for thousands of travelers to visit Canada for up to six months, be it for business or leisure purposes.