Filipinos can travel visa-free to Canada Read Next MSC participates in World Environment Day Next article Bernadette E. Tamayo By Bernadette E. Tamayo

UPDATE) OTTAWA on Wednesday said eligible Filipinos now qualify for "visa-free" travel to Canada under its electronic travel authorization (eTA) program. The Canadian Embassy in the Philippines said the decision supports Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, which aims to strengthen relations and invest in people-to-people ties between Canada and the Indo-Pacific region, including the Philippines. The Philippines is one of the 13 additional countries whose eligible citizens may benefit from visa-free travel, the embassy said in a statement posted on Twitter. In the last 10 years, Canada issued 466,936 temporary resident visas to citizens from the Philippines. These individuals, along with US non-immigrant visa holders, are eligible for visa-free travel. The embassy said it costs CA$7 to apply, and most applications are automatically approved within minutes. To apply for an eTA, travelers need only a valid passport, a credit card, an email address and access to the internet. "Introducing visa-free air travel will make it faster, easier and more affordable for thousands of known travelers from [the] Philippines to visit Canada for up to six months for either business or leisure," the embassy said. "With the well-established Filipino diaspora in Canada, we recognize the importance of expanding and simplifying travel between our countries." The embassy said Filipinos who either held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or who currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa can apply for an eTA instead of a visa when traveling to Canada by air. Individuals who already have a valid visa can continue to use it to travel to Canada. Those who are not eligible for an eTA, or who are traveling to Canada by means other than air will still need a visitor's visa. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said expanding the eTA program to include the Philippines "is an important part of our Indo-Pacific Strategy, as we look to further engage in the region, build on people-to-people ties, and make travel to Canada easier, faster and safer for everyone." Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said the move will allow more individuals from the Philippines to "embark on unforgettable adventures, explore our diverse landscapes, reunite with family and friends, and immerse themselves in our vibrant culture without the hurdle of visa requirements." The Department of Foreign Affairs welcomed Canada's announcement. "The new policy is expected to spur travel, stimulate more business opportunities and foster greater interest for family reunification efforts," Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said.

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