People choose Canada as their preferred destination for traveling, conducting business, or getting together with loved ones. We are dedicated to making our immigration services and programs more effective and equitable for people all over the world.
The electronic travel authorization (eTA) scheme has been expanded to include 13 new nations, according to the honorable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship. Travelers from these nations can now apply for an eTA rather than a visa when flying to Canada if they have either recently held a Canadian visa or currently have a valid United States non-immigrant visa.
As of right now, eligible visitors from the following nations may make use of the program:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Philippines
- Costa Rica
- Morocco
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Seychelles
- Panama
- Argentina
- Uruguay
Thousands of visitors will find it quicker, simpler, and more economical to visit Canada for up to six months on business or for pleasure after the introduction of visa-free air travel. In addition, it will deepen Canada’s ties with these nations while ensuring the safety of Canadians, and encouraging increased travel, tourism, and international trade.
Our ability to process visa applications more quickly will help all visa applicants as this decision will also redirect thousands of applications from Canada’s workload.
The following details are essential for obtaining a free visa to visit Canada:
Who are eligible?
- Philippine passport holders who have held a Canadian visitor’s visa in the past 10 years.
- Philippine nationals with current non-immigrant visas for the United States.
What are the requirements for Filipinos?
Accomplished IMM5257 Form
- This is the Visitor Visa Application Form.
- It is available for download here: Form IMM5257.
- Complete it electronically. It’s not required that you print it out or sign it.
- Open the form in Adobe Acrobat to view it. Especially if you’re using Chrome or Firefox, the file may occasionally not load at all when you view the forms online and instead display a “Please wait” notice. Download it nevertheless (IE is recommended for accessing it). The form is present when you access it using a PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat Reader DC or Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional. Use Acrobat to fill it out.
- Don’t fill out the signature field. Your electronic signature will be provided at a later stage of the process when you submit the form.
Accomplished Family Information Form
- It can occasionally be the IMM5645E Form. It can occasionally be the IMM5707 Form. Family Information Forms, both of them. Send the form that is included on your Document Checklist if you want to be safe. IMM5645E was requested in my situation.
- It is available for download here: IMM5654E.
- Fill out the form online. As with the application form, utilize Acrobat Reader if the page won’t load. Don’t sign it, either. A digital signature will be required of you later in the application process.
Valid Passport
- The bio page and all pages with visas and stamps have been scanned.
- Your passport’s validity must be at least six months, and it must be signed. The signature field is located on Page 3, the page after the Information Page, if you are using a new 10-year e-passport. If you have a 5-year e-passport, there is no need to sign the bio page again because it already includes a digital signature.
Digital photo
- Size of a passport (35 x 45 mm).
- White Background.
- Details below: Canada Visa Photo
- Upload a soft copy of the photo in place of the “scanned” option that the website requested when I applied.
Proof of Purpose of Travel
Please provide documentation proving your temporary travel to Canada. Any or all of the following may be submitted:
- Airplane ticket (return or onward) leaving Canada
- Your agenda for travel
- Reserving a hotel
Tip: Actual tickets do not need to be submitted. You can submit hotel or flight reservations, which you can revoke if your application is rejected (saving you money in the process).
Although you don’t use any of them, a few airlines permit flight blocking, and several hotel booking services offer free cancellations. These reservation documents may also be issued by travel agencies.
Travel History
Scanned. Any one or all of the following can be this:
- Previously used passports during the last ten years
- Valid and expired visas
- Exit and entry stamps
Proof of Means of Financial Support
Scan any or all of the following documents:
- a four-month rolling bank statement
- an Employment Certificate
- ITRs (Income Tax Returns)
- evidence of assets, such as land titles.
If you’re a student, you must additionally provide documentation showing that your tuition and housing costs have been paid. Include a letter from the organization or individual paying for your vacation if someone else is covering the cost.
Business Registration Documents
Only if you work for yourself or are on business trips.
The paperwork must include the registered name of the business, the business address, and the type of ownership. You may provide SEC, DTI, or BIR registration documents.
Letter of explanation
This is not required. Although it’s not necessary, you can send a letter of justification if you want to go into further detail regarding your trip.
Sent a letter outlining travel plans and my motivation for wanting to go to Canada. It is concise and to the point.
Visa Fee and Biometrics Fee
- Visa cost: 100 CAD. It is possible to pay using MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.
- Cost for biometrics: CAD 85. It is possible to pay using MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.
How to apply?
The actions to take are as follows, per the official website of the Canadian government:
- Read the assistance manual while getting your passport and credit or debit card ready.
- Access Canada.ca/etA.
- To apply, use the online form. One cannot save the form. So be prepared with your information.
- After finishing the form, immediately pay $7 CAD for your eTA.
- Regarding your eTA application, you’ll receive an email. Most application approvals happen quickly.
- Before your application is granted, you might need to submit documentation. You will receive instructions via email within 72 hours if this occurs.
Please read: REITS FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
Conclusion
Whatever your plans are for visiting Canada, you must always be ready and anticipate the unexpected when you attempt to commit to a goal you have worked on or dreamed about. The list above is just the beginning of your path toward your objective. Be patient, keep at it the proper way, and give it your all.
Best of luck on your next travels!
