IRCC Adds 13 New Nations To List Of Visa-Free Countries

Last Updated On 6 June 2023, 5:04 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

Today, Minister of IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) Sean Fraser announced addition of 13 new nations to the list of eligible countries for visa-free travel to Canada.

As per one of the expectations posted by INC – Immigration News Canada, IRCC adds 13 nations to the list of visa-free countries.

New countries eligible for visa-free travel to Canada: Panama, Caribbean island states of Antigua and Barbados, St. Kits and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Argentina, Morocco, Seychelles, Thailand, and Philippines.

Effective today, travellers from these countries who have held a Canadian visa within the past 10 years or who currently possess a valid United States non-immigrant visa can now apply for an eTA (electronic Travel Authorization) instead of a visa while coming to Canada.

You can watch the announcement here 👇

The announcement was made at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport – Departure Terminal, 2000 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 1C2.

Immigration minister was joined by Kevin Lamoureux, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Rechie Valdez, MP for Mississauga—Streetsville, Ontario.

After media availability, IRCC Minister Sean Fraser will be attending a roundtable discussion with local stakeholders and community members at the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM).

As per official press release, on the following day (June 7, 2023), Minister Fraser will also be welcoming 20 new Canadian citizens at a special ceremony hosted by VIA Rail.

INC News Expectations Prior to the announcement

There was no confirmation from IRCC or immigration department regarding what the new announcement was supposed to be.

However, INC – Immigration News Canada posted the possibility that immigration minister announces addition of new visa-free country or countries for Canada or Canadian citizens, but there was no official update to confirm it.

With immigration minister’s schedule to have a roundtable with community members at the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM) indicates that there was an expectation that there could be some good news coming for filipinos community, but it was just based on the speculation.

Full list of Visa-Free countries for Canada

1. Andorra
2. Argentina
3. Australia
4. Austria
5. Bahamas
6. Barbados
7. Belgium
8. British citizen
9. British National (Overseas)
10. British overseas citizen (re-admissible to the United Kingdom)
11. British overseas territory citizen with citizenship through birth, descent, naturalization or registration in one of the British overseas territories of:Anguilla
    • Bermuda
    • British Virgin Islands
    • Cayman Islands
    • Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
    • Gibraltar
    • Montserrat
    • Pitcairn Island
    • Saint Helena
    • Turks and Caicos Islands
12. British Subject with a right of abode in the United Kingdom
13. Brunei Darussalam
14. Bulgaria
15. Caribbean island states of
    • Antigua and Barbados
    • St. Kits and Nevis
    • St. Lucia
    • St. Vincent and the Grenadines
    • Trinidad & Tobago
16. Chile
17. Costa Rica
18. Croatia
19. Cyprus
20. Czech Republic
21. Denmark
22. Estonia
23. Finland
24. France
25. Germany
26. Greece
27. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, must have a passport issued by Hong Kong SAR.
28. Hungary
29. Iceland
30. Ireland
31. Israel, must have a national Israeli passport
32. Italy
33. Japan
34. Republic of Korea
35. Latvia
36. Liechtenstein
37. Lithuania
38. Luxembourg
39. Malta
40. Mexico
41. Monaco
42. Morocco
43. Netherlands
44. New Zealand
45. Norway
46. Panama
47. Papua New Guinea
48. Philippines
49. Poland
50. Portugal
51. Romania (electronic passport holders only)
52. Samoa
53. San Marino
54. Seychelles
55. Singapore
56. Slovakia
57. Slovenia
58. Solomon Islands
59. Spain
60. Sweden
61. Switzerland
62. Taiwan, must have an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes the personal identification number
63. Thailand
64. United Arab Emirates
65. Uruguay
66. Vatican City State, must have a passport or travel document issued by the Vatican.

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