Electronic Travel Authorization System to Expedite Travel

Canada

Starting March 15, 2016, visa-exempt nationals will be required to register for Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to obtain pre-approval for travel to Canada. The application system will be available online on August 1, 2015. U.S. citizens and Canadian Permanent Residents are exempt from the eTA requirement.  The eTA will be valid for five years and will cost CAD$7.

Background

The eTA’s main goal is to expedite travel for visa-exempt nationals and to prevent security threats to North America. The eTA program will mirror the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program to ensure a common screening approach. The Canadian government estimates that prescreening will prevent more than 60,000 inadmissible foreign nationals, such as those with criminal records, those with no-fly orders, or those without the required documentation for travel to Canada, from flying to Canada over the next decade.

In addition to the eTA, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is also expected to implement an Interactive Advance Passenger Information (IAPI) system to screen passengers on international flights to Canada prior to boarding. This will allow the government to confirm with airlines whether travelers requiring an eTA are properly documented for travel to Canada and to prevent travel for those who are not.

eTA Application Process

Applicants will be able to apply for the eTA on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website by submitting personal information such as name, date of birth and possibly a copy of the foreign national’s fingerprints. Most travelers will likely be able to receive approval within minutes, and other eTA decisions will likely be made within 72 hours.

What This Means for Foreign Nationals

Visa-exempt nationals should benefit from the eTA program as it should expedite travel to Canada. Affected foreign nationals who have questions about the program should contact their immigration professional.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

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