Friday 12 August 2016

Do YOU need a visa for CANADA? Find out more

Canada

ARE YOU PLANNING TO VISIT CANADA ANYTIME SOON?

If you’re planning a trip to Canada, make sure you know what visa you need to get before you travel.

Home to grizzly bears, astonishing landscapes and cosmopolitan cities — Canada is an alluring combination of the old and the new.

So it’s little wonder that around 724,000 British nationals visit Canada each year.

And if you are one of them, you need to make sure you get the correct visa before you travel — as the rules are changing soon.

Similarly to the American holiday visa — ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation)- failure to obtain this document prior to travelling means you WON’T be allowed in the country, although in Canada that rule will only apply from 30 September 2016.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) is required for all British citizens entering Canada from 30 September 2016.

There are exemptions for this who have a valid Canadian visa or permanent residency card, and if you hold dual British-Canadian nationality you cannot apply for an eTA.

You should also ensure that you have enough funds to support the duration of your stay, as you will need to show this.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) warn: “If you have any doubts about whether you’re eligible to enter Canada (eg if you have a criminal record or have been arrested even if it did not result in a conviction), or about visa matters generally, contact the Canadian High Commission before you travel.”

You will need an eTa if you are travelling by air to Canada, however you don't need one if travelling by land or sea.

Regardless of which way you enter Canada, you must carry an acceptable travel document and identification.

Unlike some countries, your passport only needs to be valid for the duration of your stay.

However the FCO advise: "but if your passport has less than 6 months validity remaining when you arrive in Canada it may take longer to pass through immigration control."

And if you decide to travel on to the USA after your Canada trip, then you need to heed their entry requirements which changed this year.

Everyone flying from the UK to the USA either by air or sea will need an ESTA. Even if you’re just passing through the country to fly on somewhere else, you will need one too.

How to get an ESTA:

You can only fill out an ESTA form online. Once you have completed the form, keep a note of the reference number or print out the page of authorisation. Always use the official ESTA site to complete your form.

It will cost $14 per ESTA form, which is roughly £10.

From April 2016, you MUST have an e-Passport to get an ESTA. If your passport was issued on or after the 26th of October 2006, it should have a chip in it. If it doesn’t, you’ll have it update your passport through the Passport Office.


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