Toronto: Canada has announced visa-free entry for citizens of 13 countries as part of efforts to boost tourism and strengthen international ties. Under the new policy, travelers from selected Caribbean and Latin American nations will be allowed to visit Canada without obtaining a traditional visa, provided they meet specific eligibility requirements.
Canada has also expanded its “Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)” program to include more countries, making short-term travel easier and faster. The eTA is a mandatory digital permit for visitors from visa-exempt countries arriving in Canada by air. The newly added visa-free countries are: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, the Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.
The decision has been widely welcomed, particularly for its diplomatic significance, as five Caribbean nations are included in the list. According to Canadian officials, the visa-free facility will apply to air travelers who have either held a Canadian visa within the past 10 years or currently possess a valid US non-immigrant visa.
Eligible travelers will be allowed to stay in Canada for up to “six months” without applying for a separate visa. The Canadian government said the move is aimed at increasing tourism, enhancing people-to-people connections, and positioning Canada as a more accessible destination for global travelers.
