Visa-free entry to Canada for US visa holder Fils
By Nidz Godino
Most applications are automatically approved within minutes with cost CAN$7 (around P293) to apply for an eTA , Canadian Embassy says
Canadian Embassy in the Philippines announced some Filipinos can now enter their country by air without visa.
For Philippine citizens to be eligible for visa-free entry, they must have either held Canadian visa in the last 10 years or currently hold valid US non-immigrant visa.
Instead of applying for a visa, these eligible Filipinos will just apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA), digital travel document most visa-exempt travelers need to travel to or transit through Canada by air.
Canadian officials use eTA to conduct light-touch, pre-travel screening of air travelers.
Applying for an eTA requires only valid passport, credit card, email address and access to internet, Canadian Embassy said.
Once approved, Filipino visitors can stay in Canada for up to six months for either business or leisure.
Visa-free entry to Canada for eligible Filipinos is only applicable for air travel, so those traveling by land or sea must still secure visitor visa.
Sean Fraser, Canada's immigration minister, said decision to relax visa requirements for Filipinos will make traveling to their country more convenient, increase travel, tourism and economic benefits, and strengthen their bond with Philippines.
"Canada is destination of choice for so many around the world...we're making it easier for more people to visit Canada, whether they're coming to do business, sightsee, or reunite with family and friends," Canadian foreign minister Mélanie Joly said.
Joly stressed expanding eTA program to include Philippines is key part of their strategy in Indo-Pacific region, they want to engage further, build on people-to-people ties, and make travel to Canada easier, faster and safer.
Enrique Manalo, the Philippines' foreign affairs secretary, called inclusion of Philippines in eTA program "an important milestone and striking indication of Canada's growing friendship and trust in Philippines."
"Philippines considers Canada as close partner due to its well-established people-to-people ties and looks forward to charting a new era of engagement under this new policy," Manalo concluded.
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