Ottawa (Web Desk): In a significant move to boost tourism and strengthen international ties, Canada has announced visa-free entry for citizens of 13 countries, including several Caribbean and Latin American nations.
Under the new policy, travelers from 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 will be able to enter Canada without a visa, provided they meet specific conditions.
The visa-free entry will be available to those who have held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years or currently possess a valid non-immigrant U.S. visa. Eligible travelers can stay in Canada for up to six months without the need for a separate visa.
Alongside this, Canada has expanded its Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program to include more countries, simplifying the entry process for short-term visitors. The eTA is a digital permit required for citizens of visa-free countries.
The Canadian government stated that the goal of this policy is to increase tourism, enhance international relations, and make Canada a more attractive destination for global travelers, particularly in strengthening ties with Caribbean nations.