Visa-Free Travel for Eligible Filipinos to Canada: How to Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization

By vivomigsgee in Features Travel June 8, 2023

You’re eligible to apply for an eTA. This is the answer I’ve got from the official government website of Canada for immigration/travel (ircc.canada.ca) when I inquired whether I need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada for either leisure or business purpose. In my mind, “So, the trending news is legit”. Ahhh, I’m so stoked!!!

While most travelers need a visitor visa (temporary residence visa or TRV for short) to travel to Canada, access to the new “visa-free travel” program has been expanded by the Canadian government. With the recent announcement by Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, regarding visa-free entry, travelers from 13 countries (including Philippines) are added to the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program. This means that qualified Filipinos can now visit Canada using an Electronic Travel Authorization as the entry document, instead of the regular visa (TRV).

Filipino visitor is visa-exempt and eligible to apply for an eTA if the following requirements are met:

Philippine passport holder (not a citizen of Canada and not a lawful permanent resident of the US or a green card holder)
holding a Canadian visitor visa for the past 10 years OR currently holding a valid US Nonimmigrant Visa
traveling by air (via a Canadian airport)
visit Canada as a tourist OR visit family (not more than 6 months) OR transit through Canada (between two international flights) OR attend a meeting, conference, or trade show

Please note that the eligibility requirements above are specific. For example, you can apply for an eTA if you are a Filipino citizen with a TRV in the last 10 years or a valid US Non-immigrant Visa (e.g., B1/B2 visa category, among others) traveling to Canada by air only. If you decide to get to Canada by car, train, bus or boat (including cruise ship), you need a visitor visa (not an eTA). On the same vein, if you are holding a US Immigrant Visa or if you travel by air but your purpose is to study or work, then you are not eligible for an eTA.

What is an eTA?

As per IRCC, an eTA:

an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada
costs CAN$7 (less than ₱294)
is electronically linked to your passport
is only valid when flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport
allows you to travel to Canada as often as you want for short stays (normally for up to six (6) months at a time)
is valid for up to five (5) years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first

What are the requirements to apply online for an eTA?

Applicants must have:

a valid passport
a valid email address
a credit or a debit card
answer a few questions in the online application

Where to apply an eTA?

Apply an eTA in the official website of the Government of Canada:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html

Overview of the eTA Application Process

Get your passport, credit or debit card ready, and read the help document.
Use the online form to apply. The form cannot be saved. So have your information ready.
Pay $7 CAD for your eTA right after you complete the form (Please note that you can only apply and pay for one person at a time. For example, for a family of three, you will need to complete and submit the form three times. In addition, make sure you print your receipt right away. You won’t be able to print it later or receive a copy of it.)
Get an email about your eTA application (updates and approval is by email only). Most applications are approved within minutes (check your junk mail folder if needed); OR You may need to submit documents before your application can be approved. If this happens to you, an email will be sent with instructions within 72 hours.

IN PHOTOS: Step-by-Step Application Guide for an Electronic Travel Authorization (Canada Visit)

Applying for an eTA is a simple online process that takes just a few minutes to complete. Since I have a US B1/B2 Visa, I decided to apply online for an eTA. Here’s how:

Complete the eTA Online Application Form

Application Form Link: https://onlineservices-servicesenligne.cic.gc.ca/eta/welcome?lang=en

Consent and Declaration of Applicant

eTA PaymenteTA Approval Email ConfirmationWithin 5 minutes, I received my eTA approval via email. It’s really fast! But before you rejoice, confirm first if the passport number is correct. To avoid hassles at the airport: Once your eTA is approved, check that the passport number included in your eTA approval email matches the number in your passport. If they don’t match, you need to apply for a new eTA.

Final thoughts

There you go CADreamers! Easier, faster and more affordable way of traveling to Canada is now within reach, especially for those who are struggling to apply for a Canadian tourist visa in a country where there is no embassy, consular office or VFS center processing a visa. Exciting days ahead!