Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTAs) Are Back

In August 2015, Canada introduced ‘Electronic Travel Authorizations’, more commonly known as eTAs. Subject to some exceptions (notably U.S. citizens), an eTA is an approval required by non-visa nationals before traveling to Canada. A full explanation of the requirements for, and the exceptions to, eTAs, is found in our previous ImmPulse™ release at http://www.kranclaw.com/2016/01/electronic-travel-authorizations-beware-the-ides-of-march/

Though the program was introduced last August, the date on which the requirement was to become mandatory was set to be March 15, 2016. Just prior to that date, however, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) announced that the mandatory implementation date would be postponed to a future date, as yet undetermined.

IRCC has now announced the new mandatory eTA implementation date: September 29, 2016.

As such, non-visa travellers should again be aware of this requirement, and ensure that they take proper action before travelling to Canada.

The information in this article is for general purposes only, and not intended as legal advice for any particular situation.