In a recent press release, Canada\’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, announced that 13 countries, including Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Lucia, have been added to the electronic travel authorization (eTA) program.
Nationals from these countries who have held a Canadian visa in the past decade or currently possess valid non-immigrant visas for the United States can now apply for an eTA instead of a visa when traveling to Canada by air.
Similar to the United States\’ ESTA and the European ETIAS, which is still awaiting implementation, most visa-exempt nationalities require an eTA for travel to Canada. Eligible individuals can apply for an eTA online and typically receive approval within minutes. The eTA is usually valid for five years.
However, Antiguans, Saint Lucians, and Kittitians who have not obtained a Canadian visa in the past 10 years, do not possess a valid US visa, or are entering Canada by land or sea will still need to obtain regular visas. Those who already have a valid Canadian visa can continue to use it for entry.
In addition to benefiting Caribbean nationals by enhancing their travel freedom, this development is also a positive step for the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) sector. When Antigua & Barbuda lost its visa-free travel privileges to Canada six years ago, concerns were raised by the Canadian High Commission regarding individuals acquiring passports through Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programs.
The recent reinstatement indicates that Antigua & Barbuda, along with Saint Kitts & Nevis and Saint Lucia, has successfully addressed Canada\’s concerns regarding the vetting process of citizenship by investment programs.
Minister Fraser expressed his excitement about this development in the press release, stating, \”This exciting development means that more individuals from around the world can now 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.\” He further emphasized that this expansion would not only improve convenience for travelers but also boost travel, tourism, and economic benefits while strengthening global bonds with these 13 countries.
The remaining 10 countries on the list, which includes several popular investment migration destinations, are:
Argentina
Costa Rica
Morocco
Panama
Philippines
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Seychelles
Thailand
Trinidad and Tobago
Uruguay