Canada’s new ETA rule for visa-exempted countries

March 5 (TravelAndy): The new pre-screening measure imposed by Canada, on visitors from visa-exempted countries, that was set to take effect on March 15, has been extended by 2 months.

Travellers, from countries enjoying no-visa facility, will require electronic travel authorization (eTA) prior to boarding their flight, which will be flying to or passing through Canada.

[ALSO CHECK OUT: eTA for Canada] 

This new rule is applicable for foreign travellers including British, Australian and French citizens, , as well as permanent residents of the U.S.

But, U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa are exempt from eTA.

The eTA requirement is not applicable for Canadian citizens, dual citizens, and permanent residents of Canada.

This new rule will become compulsory by the fall of 2016, said a Canadian government release.

Travellers can apply for their eTA online, by answering a few questions and by paying a sum of CAD7.

The authorisation will be electronically linked with the passport, within a few minutes of online form submission.

The eTA will be valid for five years from the date of issue or till the passport expires, whichever comes earlier.