Leniency period for Canada’s new Electronic Travel Authorization extended until November 9

September 20, 2016 – Ottawa, ON – To give travellers and airlines more time to prepare for changes when flying to or transiting through Canada, the government is extending the leniency period for the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) requirement until November 9, 2016. Starting November 10, 2016, Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, will need a valid Canadian passport to board their flight to Canada otherwise, they will experience delays. All visa-exempt travellers (except United States [U.S.] citizens) will need an eTA to board their flight.

In March 2016, Canada introduced the eTA requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada temporarily by air. eTA was a key commitment under the Canada U.S. Beyond the Border Action Plan to develop a common approach to pre-screening air travellers coming to either country. A six-month leniency period was put in place so that travellers who are unfamiliar with eTA could still board their flight to Canada. This leniency period, which was set to end on September 29, has now been extended until November 9, 2016.

“In consultation with airline partners, we’re taking further steps to minimise any travel disruptions,” said John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. “We are extending the leniency period and doing another major information blitz in Canada and abroad to encourage affected travellers, including dual Canadian citizens, to plan ahead and get the necessary travel documents before they book a flight to Canada.”

Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, cannot apply for an eTA and will need a valid Canadian passport to board their flight, starting November 10, 2016. Travellers without a valid Canadian passport may experience delays.

Although eTA is a new requirement for travellers, applying for one is a simple online process that costs CAN$7. It is best for travellers to apply for an eTA before booking a flight to Canada.

As it can take time to get a Canadian passport, travellers should apply for one as soon as they can and plan travel accordingly.

Quick facts

• eTA was implemented to improve the safety of Canadians by helping to identify those who are inadmissible and prevent them from travelling to Canada. eTAs also help facilitate travellers’ entry into Canada, since they have already been pre-screened under the eTA process.
• Close to 2 million eTAs have been issued since the application went live on August 1, 2015. The Government of Canada website, Canada.ca/eTA, is the only valid site where travellers can apply for an eTA.
• An eTA is valid for five years or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, cannot apply for an eTA and will need a valid Canadian passport to board their flight, starting November 10, 2016. Travellers without a valid Canadian passport may experience delays.
• Canadian permanent residents cannot apply for an eTA and, as usual, must show their valid permanent resident card when travelling to Canada.
• Citizens of the U.S. are exempt from the eTA requirement. U.S. lawful permanent residents need an eTA and must present a valid U.S. permanent resident card (Green Card) and a valid passport when they check-in for their flight to Canada.

Associated links

• eTA, including information in multiple languages
• Informational video with key eTA details
• eTA frequently asked questions
• Apply for a Canadian passport
• Travel documents for dual Canadian citizens flying to Canada
• Fact sheet: Dual Canadian citizens: Make sure you fly to Canada with a valid Canadian passport

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Contacts

Camielle Edwards
Minister’s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca

Source: news.gc.ca