Thailand is among the 13 countries that have been newly added to Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program, as announced by the country’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, on Wednesday. This allows travelers who have either held a Canadian visa in the last ten years or currently possess a valid United States non-immigrant visa to apply for an eTA, instead of a conventional visa, when traveling to Canada by air. More details on this exciting development can be found on the official government website, canada.ca.
Effective from Tuesday, eligible travelers from Thailand, along with those from the following countries, can now benefit from this convenient program: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.
This new initiative aims to make travel to Canada more accessible, thus opening up numerous opportunities for collaboration, trade, investment, and strengthening the bond between the nations. In doing so, the Canadian economy receives a much-needed boost too. “By making travel to Canada more accessible, we are enhancing opportunities for collaboration, trade, and investment, thus invigorating our economy,” said Kevin Lamoureux, Canada’s MP for Winnipeg North.
The eTA program’s introduction for these 13 countries highlights Canada’s commitment to fostering stronger relationships with diverse nations while facilitating convenient and secure travel experiences for foreign visitors. The eTA simplifies the visa application process by allowing travelers to apply online, resulting in quicker approvals and reduced waiting times.
Travelers who are eligible for the eTA need to complete an online application form, paying a modest fee, before receiving an email confirmation with their approved eTA. This travel authorization is electronically linked to the applicant’s passport and is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires – whichever comes first. It’s important to note that possessing an eTA does not guarantee entry into Canada; final discretion is still left to the Canadian border officials.
As more countries are added to the Canadian eTA program, it’s clear that the Canadian government is dedicated to promoting international cooperation and easing travel barriers for eligible tourists and business travelers. This move ultimately benefits both Canada and the participating nations, laying the foundation for greater economic growth and cultural exchanges.
In summary, the addition of Thailand and the other 12 countries to Canada’s eTA program is a significant step in promoting international travel and fostering positive relationships between Canada and these nations. This new and convenient method of obtaining travel authorization will likely result in more tourists and business travelers coming to Canada, generating greater economic and cultural exchange opportunities for all parties involved. So if you’re from one of these 13 countries, consider taking advantage of this fantastic opportunity and start planning your trip to the beautiful and welcoming country of Canada!
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