Canadian eTA: Now a requirement

TRAVELLERS to Canada
from certain visaexempt
countries are
now required to obtain
an Electronic Travel
Authorization (eTA) before
travelling.
Passengers from those
countries, including
those travelling with a
UK passport, flying to or
transiting through Canada,
must apply before their
flight. The eTA allows
Canadian officials to
screen travellers before
they board. Passengers
travelling with a valid US
passport do not need an
eTA to enter Canada.
Travellers can check
if they require an eTA
and apply for it on the
Government of Canada’s
website and are advised
to do so before booking
their flight. Applicants will
receive approval by email;
in most cases it takes
minutes but could take
several days.
The requirement became
mandatory for certain
visa-exempt travellers to
Canada on March 15, but
a leniency period – which
ended on November
9 – allowed travellers
unfamiliar with the eTA
requirement to still board
their flight to Canada.
SA passport holders
require a visa when
travelling to Canada.