Eligible Filipinos can now enter Canada visa-free for up to six months for either business or leisure as the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines announced on Wednesday that the country has been included in the list of nations that are qualified for visa-free travel.
In a video statement, Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines David Hartman said that instead of presenting a Canadian visa, eligible Filipino passport holders can now apply for Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when traveling to Canada via air.
Eligible Filipinos are those who have held Canadian visas in the last 10 years or those who currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa.
The new policy is effective on Tuesday, June 6.
"With the well-established Filipino diaspora in Canada, along with an increasing number of students and tourists, we recognize the importance of expanding and simplifying access to travel between our two countries," he said.
Hartman said the decision reflects Canada's commitment to making easy travel for Filipinos.
"This initiative also supports Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, which aims to strengthen relations and invest in people-to-people ties between Canada and the Philippines," he added.
But the Canadian government said those who will travel to Canada by land via car, bus, train, or by sea via boat including cruise ship are still required to present a visitor visa.
Aside from the Philippines, 12 other countries have been listed in the eTA program including Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo welcomed the inclusion of the country in Canada's list of visa-free countries.
"The Philippines’ inclusion, coming soon after the official visit of Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, is an important milestone and a striking indication of Canada’s growing friendship and trust in the Philippines as well as the great value it attributes to the Filipino community that has contributed to its diversity and dynamism," he said in a statement.
Manalo said this development is "expected to spur travel, stimulate more business opportunities, and foster greater interest for family reunification efforts."
