Canadia to require ETAs from April 2016

[MEL_Traveller]

this thread probably belongs in the visas and immigration section, but not sure how many visit that forum on a regular basis.

seems confirmed that Canada will require 'visa free' nationals to apply for an ETA for travel from April 2016. similar to the USA's ESTA, the cost will be CAD7.

applications for your ETA open August 2015.

details of the scheme are here (although the actual commencement date has been reported on a range of other sites on the web): http://canada-electronic-travel-authorisation.com/

 

[opusman]

Nice that it lasts 5 years instead of only 2, that's my biggest gripe with ESTA.

 

[Mattg]

Slightly annoying but not entirely unreasonable, I guess.

 

[TomVexille]

Don't forget that Australia already require this for Canadian and American citizens travelling to Australia.

 

[Himeno]

Don't forget that Australia already require this for Canadian and American citizens travelling to Australia.

But you can get Australian ETAs for free.

Is the fee for the Canada ETA as silly as that of the US ESTA? (where most of the fee is used to promote inbound international tourism - tax the visitors to encourage them to come)

 

[opusman]

But you can get Australian ETAs for free.

They're $20 it seems: https://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETAS3/etas

And only valid for 12 months, which must be kind of sucky. I guess the distinction is they're actually a visa, not just a pre-authorisation for visa free travel (Australia doesn't have visa-free travel for anyone but Kiwis).

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Where is Canadia? Is it anywhere near Canada?

Anyway Australia charges everyone and has done for years, and if you need a visa it costs a fortune!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Where is Canadia? Is it anywhere near Canada?

Anyway Australia charges everyone and has done for years, and if you need a visa it costs a fortune!

Canadia is where a Canadian comes from!

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Canadia is where a Canadian comes from!

Got it. Shouldn't we treat Canada as domestic. ... we have the same lovely Queen

 

[serfty]

Guy Betsy on FT has done these for US citizens at no ca$h cost on a "pay it forward" basis.

 

[Foreigner]

Guy Betsy on FT has done these for US citizens at no ca$h cost on a "pay it forward" basis.

Golly I haven't read that name in 8 years. Is he still on FT?

 

[Anna]

Where is Canadia? Is it anywhere near Canada?

I think it's near Argentinia