Are Filipinos Visa-free in Canada?

Starting this month, certain Filipinos will be able to visit Canada visa-free by air, according to an announcement made by the Canadian Minister and Canadian Embassy in the Philippines, which adds to the existing visa-free countries for Filipinos. Canada is dedicated to enhancing its immigration programs and services, and this change in the Canadian Visa Policy allows more nations to enter the country without a visa.

Increased travel, tourism, and economic advantages, as well as strengthen global bonds with these 13 nations, are only some of the claimed outcomes of this expansion, as stated by the Canadian government.

Moreover, they claim that extending the eTA program to countries like the Philippines is a vital aspect of their Indo-Pacific Strategy since it would increase Canada's engagement in the area, strengthen people-to-people relations, and streamline the visa application process for Canadian visitors.

Are Filipinos Visa-free in Canada?

The answer is YES. You can now travel to Canada visa-free as long as you meet all the requirements for it. To enter Canada without a visa, if you are a Philippine citizen, you must either have a valid US non-immigrant visa or have had a Canadian visa within the last 10 years.

The eligible Filipinos will not need to apply for a visitor visa but rather an electronic travel authorization (eTA), a digital travel document required by most visa-exempt travelers for flying travel to or transit through Canada.

Air passengers in Canada are subject to minimal pre-trip screening thanks to the eTA used by Canadian authorities. This eTA is valid for up to six months for leisure and business or until the passport expires.

Meanwhile, those who hold a current, valid visa to Canada may utilize it without any more action on their part.

Steps for Getting the eTA with the New Canadian Visa Policy

The Canadian government has declared that citizens of the Philippines who have a valid non-immigrant US visa or a Canadian visa issued within the previous ten years are eligible for visa-free entry to the country, thanks to the ETA program.

However, passport holders who meet the requirements must actively pursue participation in the program. Here are the steps you need to follow to submit your application:

Step 1. Prepare all the requirements and fill out the application form.

According to the Philippines' Foreign Affairs, you'll need only a valid passport, an active email account, and a credit card to pay the CAD 7 application cost, which is about Php 293 at the current exchange rate, in order to apply for visa-free travel. You also need to visit http://Canada.ca/eTA to fill out the electronic application.

Step 2. Wait for the email.

An email will be sent to you when you apply. In the vast majority of circumstances, you may expect a response by email within a few minutes. The processing time for certain petitions, however, might be several days. Expect an email within 72 hours if this is the case with your application.

Step 3. Check your passport number.

Once you have received your eTA, it is imperative that you verify the passport number listed in the approval email is identical to the number found in your passport. Your passport number will be linked to your eTA system after your application has been accepted.

Your application will need to be resubmitted with the right passport number if it doesn't match.

Important Note: You may not be allowed to board the plane to Canada if you have submitted an incorrect passport number.

Step 4. Present your passport.

When you check in for your flight to Canada, you'll need to provide your Philippine passport for inspection.

Why OFWs Choose to Work in Canada

The fact that Canada will require approximately a million employees in the next five years to make up for a severe labor shortage is only one of the numerous draws for our overseas Filipino workers to go north of the border. Other reasons why OFWs love to work in Canada are:

A brighter and promising financial future

Since the average Filipino in Canada earns more than twice as much as they did in the Philippines, they are able to put away more money and buy nicer items than they could at home.

While Canadian taxes may appear hefty at first glance, residents are eligible for a variety of rebates and credits. Of particular significance to many OFWs is the fact that a significant portion of their taxes is being invested in Canada's world-class infrastructure, schools, and healthcare systems.

Free and equal access to employment

The high standard of living in Canada and economic benefits is a major draw for people from the Philippines. The hospitality and food service industries, as well as construction and food production, are just a few examples of the many fields in which Canadians may find work in the country's robust economy.

Those that meet the requirements may apply for these positions. It is against the law in Canada to treat anyone differently because of their age, color, gender, or religion. Although Canada has anti-discrimination legislation, most companies will still hire an enthusiastic candidate who is prepared to put in the extra effort.

There is also a need for competent people across sectors due to the low unemployment rate. The economic prospects in Canada attract many Filipinos, who then return home to better support their families.

Rising number of Filipino population

Canada's open immigration policy, robust economy, high standard of living, variety, multiculturalism, and sizable Filipino population all contribute to the country's appeal to overseas Filipino workers.

Over 900,000 Filipinos call Canada home, giving the nation a sizable and thriving Filipino population. In their new home, Filipino immigrants and OFWs won't have any trouble finding friends and allies among their own people. The Filipino diaspora also plays an important role in maintaining Filipino culture by hosting annual festivals and other cultural celebrations.

For these reasons, Canada is a great option for Filipinos seeking a fresh start elsewhere in the world.

The Philippines considers Canada as a trusted partner owing to our long history of friendly interactions between its citizens, and the new policy will allow us to steer into a new era of cooperation and economic gains between the two countries.

In return, Filipinos who have family or OFW loved ones can now easily enter Canada visa-free and visit them as long as they have all the qualifications for the eTA Program.

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