Even visa-exempt visitors need to apply for eTA before travelling to Canada

Beginning 29 September, it will be compulsory for visa-exempt tourists to Canada to apply for an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before they depart if they are travelling by air. Citizens of the US and people with a valid Canadian visa are allowed to travel without an eTA.

Canada Immigration News was quoted as saying that recent reports focus on the compulsion for eTA applicants to disclose information about themselves instead of relying on people such as employers, travel agents, friends or other organisations as there are chances that the latter may not be aware of the applicants’ histories totally, including criminal cases filed against them.

Prospective visitors to Canada could assign another party or individual to complete the eTA application for them. But it is preferable that applicants fill it up themselves.

If a visitor is not revealing appropriate information on an eTA application, she/he may not be allowed into Canada and also may face a long-term ban on entering it. To avoid it, people may book a flight ticket to Canada through a travel agency which provides services to fill up the eTA application. One piece of information that needs to be furnished when applying for an ETA is the passport number of the applicant.

To the uninitiated, using the eTA system, visa-exempt individuals can travel hassle-free by filling up a short online form before departure. In this form, the visa-exempt individuals would be required to provide some personal details and answer straightforward questions with regard to instances of law-breaking or medical history.

If you are planning to travel to Canada, approach one of the 19 offices of Y-Axis, which are spread all over India to avail the best possible guidance to file for a visa.