Starting this year, Canadians will require electronic visa waivers for these regions.

January 10, 2025 TruthUSA

Canadians planning short trips to the United Kingdom and several other European countries will now need to obtain an electronic waiver before their departure starting this year.

Currently, waivers are required for travel to the UK and will be necessary by mid-2025 for visits to most other European countries.

Here is an overview of the new process for Canadians traveling to these destinations.

United Kingdom

Canadians intending to visit the UK are exempt from visa requirements but must obtain an electronic travel authorization (ETA) before their trip.

The ETA is a newly implemented digital travel waiver that visa-exempt travelers need to gain entry to the UK, as stated on the UK government’s website. This document pre-approves travelers for entry prior to their arrival.

ETAs are mandatory for both adults and children and can be utilized for stays of up to six months, including tourism, visiting family and friends, business trips, or short-term studies.

Individuals who currently reside in the UK or hold a valid visa are exempt from this requirement. This includes those already permitted to live, work, or study in the UK.

The ETA fee includes a non-refundable charge of CA$18 (£10). Travelers can submit their applications via the official app on the UK government’s website.

Applications take approximately 10 minutes to complete on the app and are usually processed within three days, according to the website. Applicants must have a valid Canadian passport to apply.

Once an ETA is approved, it remains valid for two years and allows for multiple entries. Since ETA applications are tied to the visitor’s passport, getting a new passport necessitates reapplying for the ETA.

Canada is among over 50 countries eligible to apply for an ETA. More than 30 additional countries will be added to this list on March 5, as per the government website.

Europe

Thirty other European countries will soon require a similar waiver from Canadian travelers.

Currently, Canadian travelers only need their passport for most European countries, but this will change by mid-year.

Under the upcoming regulations, Canadian travelers will need an approved visa waiver through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), as stated on the European Union (EU) website. ETIAS operates as an electronic visa waiver that screens non-EU citizens before granting them entry.

“ETIAS will assist in identifying potential security threats and enhance safety for residents and travelers in Europe,” the EU stated. “The ETIAS system has received backing from all EU member states.”

Countries expected to implement the system later this year include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The waiver is mandatory for all short-term visits and is valid for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It is linked to the traveler’s passport and remains valid for up to three years or until the passport expires. If a new passport is obtained, a new ETIAS travel authorization will be required.

The application fee for ETIAS is 7 euros, or approximately CA$10.

Processing of applications typically occurs within minutes but may take longer if additional information or documentation is requested by authorities.

Source link