canada visa free travel philippines

• Subscribe Now

Canada opens limited visa-free travel to Filipinos

Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. In this file photo, travelers crowd the security queue in the departures lounge at the start of the Victoria Day holiday long weekend at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario, Canada.

Cole Burston/REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos can now enter Canada visa-free, with certain conditions.

Travelers must either have held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or currently hold an active United States non-immigrant visa.

Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser announced the addition of 13 countries to Canada’s  electronic travel authorization (eTA)  program, where travelers only require online registration and an application fee of $7 CAD (P293). Visitors can stay visa-free for up to 6 months, either for business or leisure.

The 13 countries include the following:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Philippines
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago

“This expansion not only enhances convenience for travelers, it will also increase travel, tourism, and economic benefits, as well as strengthen global bonds with these 13 countries,” Fraser said.

Thailand and the Philippines join Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan as the only Asian countries under the eTA program . – Rappler.com

$1 CAD = P41.86

Add a comment

Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines .

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

How does this make you feel?

Related Topics

Recommended stories, {{ item.sitename }}, {{ item.title }}, travel and tourism, seeking holy week destinations explore cagayan de oro’s top pilgrimage spots.

Japan saw record 2.79 million visitors in February due to Lunar New Year boost

WATCH: A trip to Aurora’s Millennium Tree at Ronquillo Balete Ecopark

How to plan a trip to Laos, from Luang Prabang to Vientiane

[WATCH] #ShareAsia: Winter flower viewing at Hasedera in Kamakura, Japan

Checking your Rappler+ subscription...

Upgrade to Rappler+ for exclusive content and unlimited access.

Why is it important to subscribe? Learn more

You are subscribed to Rappler+

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy .

Eligible Filipinos may now travel to Canada visa-free

File picture of people with the Canadian flag

MANILA, Philippines — Canada has added the Philippines to its electronic travel authorization (eTA) program, effectively allowing Filipinos who held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years, or those who currently hold a US non-immigrant visa, to travel to the country visa free.

Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser made the announcement on Wednesday.

He added this expansion is effective immediately.

“This exciting development means that more individuals from around the world can now embark on unforgettable adventures, explore our diverse landscapes, reunite with family and friends, and immerse themselves in our vibrant culture without the hurdle of visa requirements,” said Fraser.

Apart from the Philippines, other countries included in the program are Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.

“This expansion not only enhances convenience for travelers. It will also increase travel, tourism and economic benefits, as well as strengthen global bonds with these 13 countries,” said Fraser.

To apply for an eTA, travelers need a valid passport, a credit card, an email address, as well as access to the internet.

Meanwhile, those who are not eligible for an eTA will still need a visitor visa before traveling to the country.

Canada says it expects 200,000 visitors from these 13 countries in 2024, garnering about $160 million in revenue within a decade.

In a separate statement, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) welcomed Fraser’s announcement, tagging it as an “important milestone and a striking indication” of the country’s friendship with Canada.

“The Philippines considers Canada as a close partner due to its well-established people-to-people ties and looks forward to charting a new era of engagement under this new policy,” said DFA.

RELATED STORIES:

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

Canada unveils new passport design with more security features, nod to King Charles

How Filipinos can become Canadian residents

Subscribe to our global news

Disclaimer: Comments do not represent the views of INQUIRER.net. We reserve the right to exclude comments which are inconsistent with our editorial standards. FULL DISCLAIMER

© copyright 1997-2024 inquirer.net | all rights reserved.

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. To find out more, please click this link.

Canada to offer visa-free travel for eligible Filipinos | ABS-CBN News

• Latest News
• Emergencies
• Ask the Law
• GN Fun Drive
• Visa+Immigration
• Phone+Internet
• Reader Queries
• Safety+Security
• Banking & Insurance
• Dubai Airshow
• Corporate Tax
• Top Destinations
• Corporate News
• Electronics
• Home and Kitchen
• Consumables
• Saving and Investment
• Budget Living
• Expert Columns
• Community Tips
• Cryptocurrency
• Cooking and Cuisines
• Guide to Cooking
• Art & People
• Friday Partner
• Daily Crossword
• Word Search
• Philippines
• Australia-New Zealand
• Corrections
• From the Editors
• Special Reports
• Pregnancy & Baby
• Learning & Play
• Child Health
• For Mums & Dads
• UAE Success Stories
• Live the Luxury
• Culture and History
• Staying Connected
• Entertainment
• Live Scores
• Point Table
• Top Scorers
• Photos & Videos
• Course Reviews
• Learn to Play
• South Indian
• Arab Celebs
• Health+Fitness
• Gitex Global 2023
• Best Of Bollywood
• Special Features
• Investing in the Future
• Know Plan Go
• Gratuity Calculator
• Notifications
• Prayer Times

Visa-free travel for eligible Filipinos to Canada

Asia philippines.

Visa update: Qualified Filipino citizens now eligible for visa-free travel to Canada

Manila: Eligible Filipinos can now travel to Canada visa free, it was announced late on Tuesday.

The announcement came as Canada has added the Philippines to its electronic travel authorisation (eTA) programme, which now allows citizens of the Philippines currently holding a temporary residence visa in Canada or a US non-immigrant visa to travel “visa-free” to Canada.

In a statement, the Canadian Embassy in Manila said the decision will support Canada's “Indo-Pacific” Strategy, aimed at boosting relations and invest in people-to-people ties between Canada and the Indo-Pacific region, including the Philippines.

• Visa on arrival to the Philippines: List of 158 countries
• EB-5 visa helps international students seeking to study in the US
• UK bars foreign students from bringing dependents with them

Under the new e-visa regime, the Philippines becomes one of 13 additional countries whose eligible citizens may now benefit from visa-free travel, the embassy said in a Twitter thread.

Canada has granted inhabitants of the Philippines 466,936 temporary resident visas over the past 10 years. These people could now travel without a visa, along with those who currently possess non-immigrant visas for the US.

The embassy said it costs C$7 ($5.22) to apply, and most applications are automatically approved within minutes.

“We recognise the importance of expanding and simplifying travel between our countries. Canada is pleased to announce the addition of the Philippines to the electronic travel authorization (eTA) program," the embassy here stated.

"Philippine citizens who have either held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years, or who currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa can now apply for an eTA, instead of a visa,when travelling to Canada by air. Introducing visa-free air travel will make it faster, easier & more affordable for thousands of known travellers from the Philippines.”

More From Philippines

Philippines: Why it needs to update laws on satellites

Philippines: Immigration changes from April 1

17 killed as van collides with truck in the Philippines

Philippines: Fugitive ex-congressman arrested

15m flocked to Prophet’s Mosque in 1st half of Ramadan

5 days of rainfall forecast in Saudi Arabia

Watch: Elderly man donates 4,000 daily iftar meals

Prophet’s Mosque roof readied for 90,000 worshipers

Saudi Arabia, China to cooperate in filmmaking

Life jail for mother accused of killing 3 daughters

Stunning laurel river eases to dubai world cup title, de kock, pooran help lucknow to first ipl 2024 win, 9,000 patients need emergency evacuation from gaza: who, lizzo says 'i quit' after 'lies' told about her, second ship with aid bound for gaza leaves cyprus port.

Get Breaking News Alerts From Gulf News

We’ll send you latest news updates through the day. You can manage them any time by clicking on the notification icon.

• Hi, My Account Subscriptions --> My KT Trading Contact Us Privacy Notice Sign Out

Sun, Mar 31, 2024 | Ramadan 21, 1445

Dubai 20°C

• Expo City Dubai
• Emergencies
• Ras Al Khaimah
• Umm Al Quwain

Life and Living

• Visa & Immigration in UAE
• Banking in UAE
• Schooling in UAE
• Housing in UAE
• Ramadan 2024
• Saudi Arabia
• Philippines
• Cryptocurrency
• Infrastructure
• Currency Exchange
• Horse Racing
• Local Sports

Entertainment

• Local Events

Dubai World Cup

• Track Notes
• Big Numbers
• Daily Updates
• Arts & Culture
• Mental Health
• Relationships
• Staycations
• UAE Attractions
• Tech Reviews
• Motoring Reviews
• Movie Reviews
• Book reviews
• Restaurant Reviews
• Young Times

Supplements

• Back To School
• Eid-Al-Adha
• It’s Summer Time
• Leading Universities
• Higher Education
• India Real Estate Show
• Future Of Insurance
• KT Desert Drive
• New Age Finance & Accounting Summit
• Digital Health Forum
• Subscriptions
• UAE Holidays
• Year of the 50th
• Latest News
• Prayer Timings
• Cinema Listings
• Inspired Living
• Advertise With Us
• Privacy Notice

KT APPDOWNLOAD

Visa-free entry announced for some filipino nationals travelling to canada, eligible categories need only apply for eta, or electronic travel authorization, instead of a visitor's visa, by web desk.

• Follow us on

Top Stories

Embracing the bright side: A guide on how to cultivate optimism

The power of solitude: Why you should go on a solo trip

How to get your kids to read: Essential tips for parents

Published: Wed 7 Jun 2023, 10:46 AM

Last updated: Wed 7 Jun 2023, 2:48 PM

Canada has announced that eligible Filipinos travelling by air for business or leisure will be granted visa-free entry.

This comes as Philippines is included in the North American country's Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) programme. Canada's Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said that the country is making it easier for people around the world to visit, and including the Philippines is a part of its Indo-Pacific Strategy, according to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Eligible categories include Philippine passport holders who have held a Canadian visitor’s visa in the past 10 years or a valid United States non-immigrant visa. These categories of Filipinos need only to apply for an eTA instead of a visa. This can be done through the website Canada.ca/etA, and is used to 'conduct light-touch and pre-travel screening of air travellers'. It costs 7 Canadian dollars or about 300 pesos, reported PNA. Meanwhile those who already have a valid visa can use it to travel to Canada.

This decision joins other existing measures for Filipino travellers, including the Canada’s Transit Without Visa programme, and the Student Direct Stream.

• UAE travel: Top 6 affordable all-inclusive holidays for Eid Al Adha break
• Travel to UK to get cheaper, easier for UAE, GCC and Jordanian visitors
• Kuwait's visa ban on Filipinos: President Marcos issues statement on restriction

More news from Travel

An architectural feast in tbilisi.

Tbilisi’s babel of building styles is a product of its complicated past

travel 2 months ago -->

Dubai: Can you get paid to travel? Influencers spill secrets of monetising content

Creating content constantly is often challenging, especially for their mental health, said one speaker at 1 Billion Followers Summit

UAE announces visa-free travel to Mongolia, allowing up to 30 days per visit

Mongolians who hold diplomatic, official, and regular passports are also exempted from a visa to enter the Emirates

Dubai ranked top global destination for third year in a row

Other cities on the list include Bali, London, and Hanoi

Phu Quoc island in South Vietnam: A traveller’s dream destination?

With plenty of luxurious resorts, chic bars, and quaint cafés to cater to even the most pernickety punter, here's why you should give this place a go in 2024

Baku: How the combination of wind and fire led to the nation’s advancement

The city of winds in the Land of Fire

travel 3 months ago -->

Celebrate white Christmas at the Great Rann of Kutch

Why not give the colour of the season, white, a twist, by welcoming Christmas and New Year in the Rann of Kutch?

India-UAE flights: Airline connects another Indian city to Dubai

The inaugural flight landed at Dubai International Airport on Sunday, carrying 171 passengers

Type your keywords

Filipinos can now travel to Canada visa-free (if you meet certain requirements)

B een itching to travel on a long-haul flight abroad? Here’s some good news: Canada has included the Philippines on a list of 13 countries that can now visit their country visa-free as part of its Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program.

According to the program, Filipinos may enter Canada by air without a visa, provided they have either held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or currently have a valid US non-immigrant visa.

“Canada is a destination of choice for so many around the world. We’re making it easier for more people to visit Canada, whether they’re coming to do business, sightsee, or reunite with family and friends. Expanding the eTA program to include countries like the Philippines is also an important part of our Indo-Pacific Strategy, as we look to further engage in the region, build on people-to-people ties, and make travel to Canada easier, faster, and safer for everyone,” Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said in an Embassy of Canada release.

Although the embassy hasn’t provided guidelines on duration of stay, eTAs typically allow travelers multiple entries for stays of up to six months at a time.

The full list of eligible passport holders include the following countries:

• Philippines
• Antigua and Barbuda
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent and Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago

The Canadian Embassy in Manila said the inclusion is effective immediately.

• Meet our partners
• Advertise with us

Canada introducing visa-free travel to 13 countries

Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship , visited Winnipeg today for an announcement regarding visa-free travel.

Passport holders from 13 countries will now be able to travel to Canada by air without requiring a Temporary Residence Visa. However, this applies only to travellers from these countries who have either held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or who currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa.  Eligible travellers include passport holders from:

• Philippines
• Antigua and Barbuda
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent and Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

Fraser says Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been working to make the pretravel screening process easier, faster, and more affordable. He says this decision will divert thousands of applications from Canada’s visa caseload, allowing IRCC to process visa applications more efficiently.

A similar pilot program was introduced in Brazil in 2017. The minister says that the program was successful in increasing visitors from Brazil by 40% and reducing the caseload in IRCC's Sao Paulo office by 60%, freeing IRCC officers to work on more complex applications.

Visa-free travel to Canada

There are more than 50 countries that can enter Canada without a visa, although most require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if they are arriving by air.

United States citizens do not require an eTA or a visa to enter Canada unless they are moving to Canada to work or study.

Nationals of countries that are not exempt from obtaining a visa, must apply for a Temporary Residence Visa (TRV), also known as a visitor visa.

A TRV allows an individual to visit Canada for a period of six months (although this may differ for some foreign nationals).

Arriving in Canada with a TRV does not give the holder permission to work or study in Canada and they may be asked to demonstrate that the purpose of their visit to Canada is only temporary (such as tourism or visiting family) at their port of entry.

IRCC is currently working through a backlog of TRV applications. The latest backlog data from IRCC shows that 50% of TRV applications are not being processed within service standards, which is 14 days.

Minister Fraser has said TRV applications were impacted by the recent strike by the Public Service Alliance of Canada . The 12-day strike lasted from April 19 until May 1 and Fraser told reporters that there were 100,000 applications not processed during that period that otherwise would have been. He also said that he expects IRCC will be able to catch up to pre-pandemic processing standards within the coming weeks, or a few months.

• sean fraser
• study in canada
• visitor visa
• Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
• Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at [email protected]

• Express Entry
• Family Sponsorship
• Citizenship
• Life in Canada

Everything You Need to Know About Visa-Free Travel for Pinoys to Canada

Processing only takes a few minutes. by Ina Louise Manto | June 08, 2023

Planning to visit Canada for business or leisure? Here’s something to look forward to. On June 7, the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines announced the addition of the Philippines to Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program, entailing visa-free entry for Filipinos traveling via air. Here’s everything you need to know about it:

What is an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)?

The eTA is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals traveling to Canada by air. It’s a document linked to your passport that’s valid for five years . Once approved, you can travel to Canada as often as you like and stay up to 6 months at a time.

Who is eligible for eTA?

Filipinos can enjoy visa-free travel to Canada if they either:

• had a Canadian visa in the last 10 years
• OR currently hold a US non-immigrant visa.

If you have an existing and valid Canadian visa, there’s no need to apply for an eTA.

How do I apply for an eTA?

Here are the requirements for eTA application:

• A filled-out form
• A debit or credit card

Note: Apply for your eTA before booking your flight.

How much will it cost?

An eTA costs CAN$7 or approximately PHP 295 .

How long will visa processing take?

Processing your eTA will only take a few minutes . After successful payment, you will receive an email regarding its approval. In some cases, it might take longer, if you will be required to submit additional documents.

For more information and updates, follow the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines on Facebook .

Pinoy Travel: How to Get a Canadian Visitor Visa Pinoy Travel: How to Get a Canadian Visitor Visa Therese Aseoche | Aug 16, 2016

Looking for other places to explore? Join WindowSeat.ph’s official Facebook community What’s Your Trip PH for more recos!

Ina Louise Manto

When she’s not writing, Ina’s busy curating playlists that will save her when words don’t work, reading, annoying her cat, or thinking of her next meal.

Related Posts

Survey says these are the top countries where people would most like to live, bookmark: 8 most lgbtq+-friendly countries around the world, things you should know before applying for a canadian visa, post a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Language selection

• Français fr

How to apply

Additional changes to entry, testing and quarantine requirements in response to the Omicron variant

There are temporary changes for all travellers, including Canadian citizens, regardless of their vaccination status.

Additional restrictions and requirements now apply to these countries:

• Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe

News release

Changes to border measures

New border measures include

• rules for re-entering Canada, if leaving for 72 hours or less
• who is considered fully vaccinated
• rules for travelling within Canada

Starting January 15, 2022, there will be new rules for who can enter Canada as an unvaccinated or partially vaccinated traveller.

Learn more about the new measures

Venezuelan passport holders

You may need to complete extra steps when you fill out your application .

If the printed expiry date on your Venezuelan passport has passed

If the printed expiry date has passed and you’re applying for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or to extend your stay as a temporary resident in Canada, follow these steps:

• Add 5 years to the printed expiry date shown on your passport and enter it in the expiry date field of the application form.
• Include a letter of explanation with your application stating: “I am a Venezuelan national with a Venezuelan passport, which has been extended for 5 years”.

Warning: If your passport is still expired after adding 5 years to the printed expiry date, your passport is considered expired. You’re not eligible to submit an application with that passport.

Prepare documents and apply

The reason you’re traveling to Canada determines the way you apply and the documents you need to submit with your visa application.

Why are you applying for a visitor visa?

• To visit as a tourist
• To visit for business
• To visit your spouse or partner who has sponsored you for permanent residence

What is your family member’s status in Canada?

• Canadian citizen
• Person registered under Canada’s Indian Act
• Canadian permanent resident
• Temporary resident in Canada
• For compassionate reasons
• None of the above

Do you plan to visit your children or grandchildren for more than 6 months?

You may be eligible to apply for a Super Visa

A super visa lets you visit your children or grandchildren for 5 years at a time. It’s a visa that provides multiple entries for a period up to 10 years.

Find out how to apply for a Super Visa

Step 1 Gather documents

Gather these documents to submit with your visa application and bring when you travel.

About the documents listed

• Not all documents listed below are required—some are optional.
• This is not an exhaustive list of acceptable proof to support your visa application.
• Only submit the recommended documents that prove you’re eligible for a visa.
• Even if you submit all the documents listed, there is no guarantee that we’ll approve your application.
• We may request more information from you in addition to what is listed here.

Documents we accept:

• passports (regular, official or diplomatic)  from most countries (see exceptions below)
• alien’s passport for stateless persons
• US Permit to Re-Enter (Form I-327)
• US Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)
• other refugee travel documents for non-citizens

Documents we don’t accept:

• any passport issued by Somalia
• non-machine-readable passports issued by the Czech Republic
• temporary passports issued by the Republic of South Africa
• provisional passports issued by Venezuela

A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you’ll use to travel to Canada

If you have a passport, you must provide a copy of

• the page that shows your birth date and country of origin
• any pages with stamps, visas or markings

If you have a travel document, it must be issued by a government and include your

• date of birth
• document number
• citizenship or residency status
• expiry date (if applicable)

Submit this document with your visa application.

Family members or third parties who apply on behalf of the applicant need to complete this form.

Submit the completed form with your visa application.

Each applicant 18 years or older must complete this form.

Submit the completed form with your visa application

Documents needed depend on whether a child under 18 years of age will travel with only 1 parent, with a relative or friend or alone.

You may need to show

• a letter that authorizes the minor child to travel to Canada
• other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on if the minor child travels alone or not

Consult Minor children travelling to Canada .

Submit these with your visa application.

• Show the border services officer when you arrive in Canada.

If you’ve travelled to Canada or to other countries, this can show that you’ve been able to get a visa in the past.

Proof of this includes copies of previous visas in your passport.

Include a clear copy of 1 or more of the following:

• your previous passports and/or visas (used within the last 10 years to travel outside your country)
• entry and exit stamps
• study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside of your country
• expired or valid visas

Submit this document with your visa application

Documents that show how long you plan to stay and what you’ll do in Canada

Include copies of any of the following:

• flight details
• hotel reservations
• registration for an event

This can help us understand if you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada.

Bank name and contact This allows us to contact your bank or financial institution with questions.

Proof it is your account Your name and address on the statement show that the account is yours.

Account details At least 6 months of account details, including balances, helps us understand your financial situation.

Use this form if you want to allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to release your personal information to someone you choose.

The person you choose will be able to get information on your case file, such as the status of your application.

Business visitor

A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you'll use to travel to Canada

Submit this with your visa application.

A clear copy of 1 or more of the following:

• study and/or work permits that indicate your duration outside your country

Copies of any of the following:

A letter from your employer can confirm that you have a stable job and will return to it. It can also show that your employer supports your visit to Canada.

The letter should be printed on your employer’s official letterhead.

The letter should include the following:

• date, no earlier than 3 months before you apply
• confirmation that you have a job with the employer
• your full name and date of birth
• date you started the job
• brief description of your job
• current salary
• contact information of your manager
• phone number
• email address
• employer information
• company name
• state or province
• Your manager or human resources contact should print their name and sign the letter.

A letter from a business or company in Canada

It can confirm that your purpose for visiting Canada is valid.

A copy of the letter from the business or company inviting you to Canada

• The letter must be written to you from the business or company.

Consult the details to include in the letter .

Visit your spouse or partner who sponsored you for permanent residence

Proof of your relationship with the person or family member inviting you to Canada

This can include a copy of

• a marriage certificate
• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM5409)
• a birth certificate
• an official document naming you as a parent

Each applicant 18 years and older must complete this form.

The documents needed depend on whether a child under 18 years of age will travel with only 1 parent, with a relative or friend, or alone.

• other documents, such as adoption papers or a custody decree, depending on whether the minor child travels alone

Consult Minor children travelling to Canada

A letter written by your family member in Canada

A copy of the letter from the family member inviting you to Canada

• The letter must be written to you from your family member.
• current Salary

Complete the form that declares you and your partner are in a common-law relationship. Also provide proof that you and your common-law partner have combined your affairs and set up a household together.

What is a common-law partner?

Proof can include

• joint bank accounts or credit cards
• joint ownership of a home
• joint residential leases
• joint rental receipts
• joint utilities (electricity, gas, telephone)
• joint management of household expenses
• proof of joint purchases, especially for household items
• mail addressed to either person or both people at the same address

Faster visitor visa processing for spousal applicants

If you’re being sponsored for permanent residence (PR) by your spouse or partner, you could benefit from faster processing for a visitor visa.

You may be eligible if you

• submitted an application to be sponsored for permanent residence
• received an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) that confirms the application is in progress

Applications that need more information, for example custody documents for a child, will take longer to process.

When your sponsor receives the AOR for your permanent residence application, you can apply for a visitor visa. If you’re eligible, your visitor visa application will automatically receive faster processing. You don’t need to request it.

You must still meet all of the requirements to be eligible for a visitor visa .

Visit family (Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act, or permanent resident of Canada)

Submit with visa application

Visit children or grandchildren Super visa option

Submit this with your visa or super visa application.

For super visa applicants only

Proof that medical insurance for at least $100,000 coverage has been purchased from a Canadian insurance company.

A copy of the insurance certificate or policy you received for medical insurance coverage for 1 year with a Canadian insurance company.

Submit this with your super visa application.

Documents that show that the super visa applicant’s child or grandchild meets the low income cut-off minimum.

Submit one of the following documents:

• If the child or grandchild does not have a paper copy of their notice of assessment on file, they can view and print their tax returns as well as other personal tax information using the Canada Revenue Agency My Account online service.
• a copy of the child’s or grandchild’s most recent T4 or T1
• an original letter from the child’s or grandchild’s employer stating their job title, job description and salary
• a letter from an accountant confirming the child’s or grandchild’s annual income, if they are self-employed.
• proof of other sources of income (pension statement, investments, etc.)

A document confirming that you had an  immigration medical exam (IME)

The exam must conducted by a panel physician authorized by IRCC.

Get complete details about how to get a medical exam with a panel physician.

Submit this with your super visa application, or wait for instructions from the visa office.

Visit family (temporary resident of Canada)

A letter written by your family in Canada

Documents that show how long you plan to stay and what you’ll do once in Canada

Visit for compassionate reasons

A clear, colour copy of your valid passport or travel document that you'll use to travel to Canada.

• Show the border services officer when you arrive in Canada

A letter written to you from a person or business inviting you to Canada

A copy of the letter from the person or business inviting you to Canada

• registration for an event.

Step 2 Apply through the IRCC Portal

Step 2 apply.

To apply for a visitor visa to visit Canada on business, you need to qualify as a business visitor.

To qualify, you must show that:

• you plan to stay for less than 6 months
• you don’t plan to enter the Canadian labour market
• your main place of business and source of income and profits is outside Canada

Business visitor activities include business meetings, special events or training for a few days or weeks.

If your meeting, event or conference is registered with us, include the event code in your application. You should get this code from the organizer.

Note: If you plan to stay for more than 6 months, or if you plan to work in Canada, you may be considered a temporary worker and have to  apply for a work permit .

To apply online, you need a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and a valid credit or debit card.

Read the instruction guide before you complete your application. As an online applicant, you can ignore steps 3 and 4 of the guide (paying the fees and submitting your application).

If you’re applying for the first time , you must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application (unless you’re exempt). Otherwise, you may experience delays.

Apply through the IRCC Secure account

Sign in to your IRCC secure account

Apply through the IRCC Portal

Only for tourists, visiting for business, family visits, compassionate reasons

Sign in to the IRCC portal

Applying on paper for specific situations

If you need a visitor visa to travel to Canada, you must apply online for one. Only online applications will be accepted and processed. However, you can apply on paper if:

• you can’t apply online because of a disability or
• you’re travelling with an identity or travel document that was issued to a refugee, a stateless person or a non-citizen

The application package includes an instruction guide and all the forms you need to fill out.

Read the guide carefully before you complete your application . We will not refund your application fee, so make sure you need a visitor visa before you apply.

Each individual applicant must submit a completed application form. Applicants under the age of 18 must have this form signed by a parent or a guardian.

Download the application package .

Pay your application fees

In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application.

If you’re applying for the first time, you must pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application (unless you’re exempt). Otherwise, you may experience delays.

Third-party fees

Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for

• your medical exam
• a police certificate

Our instruction guides (opens in a new tab) can help you understand which fees apply to you.

Submit your application

Families should send their individual applications in one package. The principal applicant must send this combined package to the location where their application will be processed.

Select the country/territory you’ll be applying from to find out where to submit your application. You can choose your country of nationality or the country or territory where you have been legally admitted:

• Afghanistan
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• British Virgin Islands
• Burkina Faso
• Burma (Myanmar)
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• China (People’s Republic of)
• Comoros Island
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Czech Republic
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Hong Kong SAR
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia (Federated States of)
• Netherlands
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• North Korea
• North Macedonia (Republic of)
• Palestinian Authority (Gaza)
• Palestinian Authority (West Bank)
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Puerto Rico
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Korea
• South Sudan
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Switzerland
• Timor-Leste (Timor oriental)
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• US Virgin Islands

If you need to give biometrics (fingerprints and photograph), and you’re applying on paper, submit your application in person . VAC staff will check that it is complete and will confirm that you have paid the correct fees before you can give your biometrics.

Credit cards and prepaid cards

We accept the following credit cards and prepaid cards:

• MasterCard ®
• American Express ®
• UnionPay ® (for online applications only; debit cards not accepted)

If you use a prepaid credit card, keep it for at least 18 months after you pay to make refunds easier. Find more on prepaid cards .

We also accept all Visa Debit cards.

The card you use doesn’t have to be in your name. The cardholder’s name will appear on the receipt but it does not need to match your application.

Debit cards

• be from a Canadian bank using INTERAC ® Online
• be registered for online banking through your bank’s website

We also accept all Debit MasterCard ® and Visa ® Debit cards. If your card has the Visa Debit logo on it, alone or with the INTERAC ® Online logo, select Visa Debit as your payment method.

Page details

6 Countries That Make Retiring Abroad (Relatively) Easy

By Laura Kiniry

Whether it’s the appeal of universal healthcare, affordable living, or overall quality of life, there are many arguments for retiring abroad. These days, it’s easier than ever to stay connected with family and friends over long distances, one of the many reasons today's retirees are making travel a priority in their lives.

For Americans looking to relocate abroad in their golden years, we have good news for you: a handful of incredible destinations offer incentives specifically for expat retirees. Countries like Costa Rica and the Philippines grant special visas to foreign retirees and pensioners, while other places offer financial perks such as tax cuts and discount programs to expats regardless of their age. There are even rural towns in countries like Switzerland, Italy, and Spain attracting new residents with cash payouts and one euro homes —all things that can make those retirement savings go a long way.

The below seven countries, across Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, offer some of the best incentives for expat retirees . So, what are you waiting for? Your big move is just a plane flight away.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

If you have money to invest,  Greece  may be the retirement spot for you. Since 2013, this European country has offered its  Greece Golden Visa , granting five-year permanent residency to anyone investing approximately $271,562 or more in local real estate. After five years you can then renew your residency (as long as you’re still invested in local property), and you can apply for citizenship after seven.

To make things more enticing, Greece’s Ministry of Finance proposed a  7% flat tax  in 2020 for any foreign nationals willing to transfer their tax residence (meaning the place where you’re legally required to pay taxes) here. This means that any pensions, rental income, and other transferable investments will stay at a 7% tax rate for up to 15 years. With tax brackets in the US  typically ranging from 10 to 37% , it’s a steal.

Requirements:  There's no requirement to invest in local real estate to take advantage of the tax rate, nor are you expected to permanently reside in Greece. Still, the overall goal is to bring in foreign dollars, so government officials hope you’ll spend accordingly. Anyone interested in utilizing Greece’s flat tax can take advantage, no matter their age. To qualify for a tax transfer, however, you can’t have paid taxes in Greece over any of the last five years. Also, the country or nation where you’re transferring your tax residence from must already have a tax agreement with Greece; the US  income tax treaty with Greece  qualifies, and means you won't be paying income taxes twice.

Cost of living is key for American retirees in Colombia , where you can live comfortably for approximately $2,000 a month. The city of Medellín, in particular, is especially popular with foreign nationals, due to such factors as year-round warm weather, excellent public transit, and an internationally recognized healthcare system.

In 2022, Colombia updated its TP—7 pensionado visa, in place since 2017, with a new M-11 pensionado visa . According to new rules, the visa is now valid for up to three years and requires the purchase of private medical insurance (private Columbian plans start at about $50 per month ) for the duration of your visa. Then, after five years of living within the country, visa holders can apply for permanent residency.

Requirements: Along with a clean bill of health and no criminal record, pensionado visa holders must earn at least three times Colombia's minimum wage (approximately $340 per month) in passive income, including investments. This equates to $1,020 per month, with the cost of the visa being around $325 . There's no tax treaty between Colombia and the US, meaning US expats are at the risk of double taxation. However, a number of IRS tax credits, including the Foreign Tax Credit , which allows taxpayers to take any paid foreign taxes as a deduction from US taxes, can significantly assist with tax breaks.

Portugal is known for its  Golden Visa , which uses tax perks to attract foreign nationals. Recently, the Portuguese government has tightened rules regarding the visa scheme, due to a magnifying housing crisis . Rather than investing in real estate, expats who transfer approximately $543,070 into one or more qualifying funds—including Pela Terra, a farmland fund that focuses on regenerative agriculture projects within Portugal, and Sharing Education , which supports the country’s international school system—or pour $271,537 towards supporting the arts or preserving national heritage, qualify for the visa. You must then maintain that investment for five years (at which time you can apply for citizenship) in order to keep your Golden Visa status.

Another great option for both retirees and semi-retirees is Portugal’s  D7 Passive Income Visa . This popular residency program includes the option to become a non-habitual resident (and reap the aforementioned tax benefit), as well as the ability to actually work while there, whether it’s living life as a digital nomad or being employed at a Portuguese-run business. It even allows access to the country’s extensive healthcare system. The visa is valid for two years, and then can be renewed for three more. Five years in, you can apply for permanent citizenship.

Requirements:  There are no age restrictions for the D7 visa, though you must demonstrate an annual passive income of at least $10,680 (plus $5,340 per adult, and $3,560 per dependent), which is equal to the country’s current minimum wage, to apply. To qualify for the Golden Visa, you can’t have paid taxes in Portugal over any of the last five years.

The official currency of  Panama , the balboa, is currently equivalent in value to the US dollar, making deciphering costs easy for Americans keen on retiring here. According to an estimated count from 2020, there are also an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 American expats currently living in Panama—no surprise, since the  Panama Pensionado  (or Panama Retirement) visa, started in 1987, is one of the best for attracting foreign nationals.

Why? It’s all about the discounts. Think of the Panama Pensionado as the ultimate coupon book. Qualifying applicants for this permanent-residency visa receive import-tax exemptions on household goods up to $10,000 and on a new car every other year, plus substantial discounts on everything from utility bills (25%) to dental exams (15%) and transportation services (up to 30%). The full discounts list, which includes savings on hotel stays, theater performances, and even airline tickets, is available  here .

Requirements:  Anyone 18 years of age or older can apply for the Panama Pensionado, as long as you have a proven lifetime pension or income of $1,000 per month (it’s an additional $250 per month for each dependent). If your monthly pension falls between $750 and $999 you can still qualify by purchasing local property worth at least $100,000. All applications must be submitted in Panama, and through a Panamanian lawyer.

Steph Koyfman

Pam LeBlanc

Jamie Spain

Caitlin Morton

Philippines

The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) offers several distinct retirement options in an effort to attract foreign nationals. These range from a visa for retired armed forces officers to another for pensioners aged 35 and above who are in need of medical assistance. Each option has its own requirements, though the  Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)  is the country’s overall standard.

The SRRV’s many benefits include the option to import $7,000 worth of household items into the Philippines tax-free; the ability to work, study, and buy property; and access to PhiHealth, the country’s universal health care program. Discounts at PRA-accredited businesses, complimentary assistance in navigating other government agencies, and an exemption from taxes on pension and other foreign-earned annuities are also part of the draw.

Requirements:  To apply for the SRRV, you must be 50 years of age or older, and have a proven pension of $800 per month (or a joint $1,000 per month for couples), along with $10,000 deposited in a Philippine bank account. If you’re 50 or older but don’t have a monthly pension, you can qualify by depositing $20,000 in a local bank account, instead.

Along with its volcanoes, freshwater lakes, and rainforests brimming with wildlife, Nicaragua lures foreign retirees with a bevy of financial incentives. These include the ability for retirees to import up to $20,000 of household goods (such as furniture, clothing, etc.) and a car up to $25,000 in value, duty-free. Another motivator: All foreign income is tax-free.

The advantages of Nicaragua’s  Pensionado Residency program , which is renewable after five years, don’t end there. Once you receive a residency card, which grants retiree status (it takes up to 6 months once you’ve submitted your application), you can open a local bank account, use credit to shop, and even get a local phone plan. For those looking to build a home, retirees can also purchase up to $50,000 of construction materials tax-free.

Requirements:  Foreign nationals can retire in Nicaragua at the age of 45 as long as they have a permanent passive income of $650 per month (plus $150 per month for each dependent). You’re also required to spend at least 6 months (which can be non-consecutive) per year within the country to keep residency status.

This central American country has been popular with US retirees for decades, and for good reason: The country’s green environs, its laid-back way of living, and a high quality of life that includes a well-developed and supportive expat community are all incentives that make relocating here entirely worth your while. The relative ease of establishing residency is a bonus as well.

Costa Rica’s pensionado visa grants temporary residency to approved applicants of any age who make a minimum income of $1,000 a month, either from a retirement fund or a permanent pension source. Once settled, most retiree couples can live well within the country for as little as $2,000 per month. This includes making a small monthly contribution (approximately 7 to 11% of your monthly pension) to Costa Rica’s universal healthcare system, the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social , which guarantees services to all of the country’s residents.

Requirements: Proof of a permanent monthly income of $1,000 is really all that’s required for retirees to obtain temporary residency in Costa Rica. Any foreign national can then apply for permanent citizenship after three years, as long as they’ve stayed in the country for four months (continuous or discontinuous) per year and renewed their visa after two years. After seven years, they can even apply for citizenship by naturalization and obtain a Costa Rican passport, without having to renounce previous nationalities. As a pensionado visa holder, temporary residents can also establish a business or work independently—just not as an employee.

Another option for retirees is the two-year inversionista visa , which requires a one-time investment of $200,000 in either an active business, real estate, stocks, or securities; or an investment of $100,000 in forest plantations. As with Colombia, there is currently no US–Costa Rica tax treaty, but the IRS tax credits will typically help expats get around any extraneous dues.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Maps of the April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

By Jonathan Corum

On April 8, the moon will slip between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow across a swath of North America: a total solar eclipse.

By cosmic coincidence, the moon and the sun appear roughly the same size in the sky. When the moon blocks the glare of the sun, the sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, will be briefly visible.

Below are several maps of the eclipse’s path as well as images of what you might experience during the event.

Where Can I See the Total Eclipse?

The eclipse will begin at sunrise over the Pacific Ocean, then cut through Mexico and cross the United States from Texas to Maine. Most of North America will see a partial eclipse, but viewers within the deepest shadow — a band sliding from Mazatlán, Mexico, to the Newfoundland coast near Gander, Canada — will experience a total solar eclipse.

Percentage of

the sun obscured

during the eclipse

Indianapolis

Little Rock

San Antonio

Viewers inside the path of the total eclipse may notice a drop in temperature , a lull or shift in the wind , the appearance of bright planets in the sky, and the quieting of birds and other wildlife.

Many cities lie inside the path of the total eclipse, as shown below, the width of which varies from 108 miles to 122 miles.

20% partial eclipse

NEWFOUNDLAND

SASKATCHEWAN

Fredericton

Minneapolis

San Francisco

90% partial eclipse

Los Angeles

Mexico City

EL SALVADOR

Explore our interactive cloud outlook for eclipse viewing times and average cloud data at your location.

What Will I See?

A composite image of the 2017 solar eclipse over Madras, Ore.

Aubrey Gemignani/NASA

If the sky is clear, viewers in the path of the total eclipse should see a “diamond ring” effect a few seconds before and after the total eclipse, as the edge of the sun slips in and out of view.

The “diamond ring” effect during the 2017 solar eclipse.

Rami Daud/NASA, Alcyon Technical Services

The sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, is normally hidden by the sun’s glare. These tendrils and sheets of gas, heated to a million degrees Fahrenheit or more, are in constant motion and shaped by the sun’s swirling magnetic field.

The sun’s corona during the 2017 solar eclipse.

The sun is relatively active this year and is nearing the expected peak of its 11-year solar cycle . Researchers at Predictive Science are using data about the sun’s magnetic field to predict and model a dramatic corona for the April eclipse.

A prediction of how the sun’s corona might appear during the April 8 total eclipse.

Predictive Science

What Colors Should I Wear?

As the sky darkens, light-sensitive cells in human eyes become more sensitive to blue and green hues than to reds and oranges. This shift in color perception is known as the Purkinje effect , after a 19th-century Czech scientist, and is typically seen at twilight.

Watching the 2017 total eclipse at Southern Illinois University.

Andrea Morales for The New York Times

To take advantage of the Purkinje effect, wear green clothes or a contrasting combination of greens and reds. Blue-green colors (shorter wavelengths) will appear brighter, while red colors (longer wavelengths) will appear to recede into the darkness.

What If I Miss It?

The next two total solar eclipses in the United States won’t occur until 2044 and 2045 . But eclipse chasers might catch one in 2026 in Greenland, Iceland and Spain; 2027 along the coast of Northern Africa; 2028 in Australia and New Zealand; or 2030 across Southern Africa and Australia.

A Total Solar Eclipse Is Coming. Here’s What You Need to Know.

These are answers to common questions about the April 8 eclipse, and we’re offering you a place to pose more of them.

By Katrina Miller

What’s the Cloud Outlook for Eclipse Day? See if History Is on Your Side.

April 8 could be your best opportunity to see a total solar eclipse for decades. But if clouds fill the sky, your shot at seeing the spectacle could be lost.

By Josh Katz, K.K. Rebecca Lai and William B. Davis

• Share full article

Advertisement