Canada urging visitors to plan ahead

With the number of visitors coming to Canada on the rise, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is launching a campaign to encourage those who need a visa to apply early to avoid disappointment.

In 2016, Canada received 2,674,964 temporary resident applications – an increase of 15 per cent from 2015, and the upward trend is continuing in 2017.

With a significant number of visitors wanting to visit Canada in the coming months, particularly for #Canada 150 (2017 marks the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation0, applying early is more important than ever. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is reminding travellers to review Canada’s entry requirements to help ensure they are prepared for their trip ahead of time.

The campaign will also focus on encouraging Canadian residents and citizens to remind any friends or relatives who may be visiting the country to get their visas sorted.

“It is our goal to ensure that Canada remains a welcoming destination for visitors,” explained Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. “If you know of someone coming to Canada for their holidays, to attend a wedding or visit family, we encourage you to reach out to them. Help raise awareness of the importance of applying early for any travel documents, to avoid any last-minute problems.”

British travellers entering Canada through a Canadian airport need to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). You can apply for an eTa with a valid passport, a credit or a debit card, and an email address.

An eTa is not required if entering the country on road or through a seaport.

Article published 28th April 2017