Argentina, Philippines, Thailand Among Thirteen Countries Added to Canada’s eTA Program for Visa-Free Air Travel: New Updates You Need To Know

Published on April 11, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

Argentina, Philippines, Thailand, and ten other countries are now part of Canada’s expanded electronic travel authorization (eTA) program, allowing eligible travelers to visit Canada by air without a traditional visa, provided they meet certain conditions. This policy update, officially announced on June 6, 2023, by Sean Fraser, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, is designed to simplify travel procedures, enhance international tourism, and reduce processing times at Canadian consulates.

As per the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, the 13 countries newly included in the eTA expansion are:

• Argentina
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Costa Rica
• Morocco
• Panama
• Philippines
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Seychelles
• Thailand
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Uruguay

Under the updated policy, eligible passport holders from these countries no longer need to apply for a visitor visa to travel to Canada by air. Instead, they can apply for an eTA, a digital document linked to the traveler’s passport, which permits multiple entries into Canada for visits of up to six months at a time.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for the eTA under the new guidelines, travelers must either:

1. Hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa, or
2. Have obtained a Canadian temporary resident visa (TRV) in the past 10 years.

If either condition is met, travelers may apply online for the eTA. It is important to note that this eTA is only valid for air travel. Travelers planning to enter Canada by land (e.g., through the U.S.) or sea (e.g., cruise ship) must still apply for a standard visitor visa unless exempt under another category.

Simple application process

According to IRCC, applying for an eTA is a fast and easy process that takes only a few minutes:

• Visit www.canada.ca/eTA
• Submit the required documents, including:
  • A valid passport from one of the eligible countries
  • A credit or debit card for the CAN$7 fee
  • A valid email address
• Most applications are processed within minutes, although some may take longer if additional documentation or verification is needed.

The eTA remains valid for five years or until the traveler’s passport expires—whichever comes first.

Economic and travel benefits

The expansion of the eTA program is expected to boost tourism, business travel, and economic ties between Canada and the newly included countries. Minister Sean Fraser emphasized that the goal is to make visiting Canada more affordable, accessible, and efficient for eligible travelers while simultaneously reducing the pressure on Canadian visa processing centers.

“This move supports Canada’s strategic approach to increasing global mobility while maintaining the integrity of our immigration system,” Fraser said during the announcement.

The change also allows IRCC offices to process visa applications more efficiently by shifting thousands of routine tourist visits from visa channels to the streamlined eTA system.

Direct flight growth and tourism links

The update also coincides with increased connectivity. For example, direct flights from Vancouver to Manila were launched recently, a move that is expected to significantly increase inbound tourism from the Philippines, one of the countries newly eligible under the eTA expansion. The development of more air routes to Latin America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia could further enhance the practical benefits of the policy.

As per the Government of Canada’s travel and immigration portal, this expansion reflects Canada’s commitment to enhancing international relationships, fostering people-to-people connections, and encouraging economic development through easier access for tourism and short-term business travel.

What if you’re not eligible for eTA?

If a traveler does not meet the eligibility requirements (such as not having a U.S. visa or a previous Canadian visa), they will still need to apply for a visitor visa through the standard channels. Similarly, travelers entering Canada by car, train, bus, or boat are not covered under the eTA and must hold the appropriate visa or immigration status.

Planning your trip

Travelers should visit the official government eTA portal to:

• Confirm their eligibility
• Access the application form
• Learn about documentation requirements and current processing timelines

The Canadian government encourages all international travelers to verify their entry requirements before travel to ensure a smooth arrival experience.

This initiative is one of several steps taken by Canada to modernize its immigration policies and strengthen global mobility in a post-pandemic world. By welcoming travelers from Argentina, the Philippines, Thailand, and 10 other countries under this expanded eTA regime, Canada reinforces its reputation as a diverse, accessible, and globally connected destination.