Canada eTA Eligibility
- » Canada eTA is required for Tourist, Transit and Business visits
- » Filipino citizens must have U.S. nonimmigrant visa to be eligible for eTA OR held a Canada Visitor Visa in the last ten (10) years
- » To apply for an eTA, Filipino citizen must be 18 years old or have a parent/guardian submit the application on their behalf.
- » Canada eTA is only required for travel by air
Canada eTA Summary
- » Canada eTA allows multiple entries. Visitors can stay for upto 6 months per visit
- » Canada eTA approval is online and send directly to your email
- » Canada eTA is linked to a Passport number
What is Canada eTA for Filipino citizens?
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is an automated system introduced by the Government of Canada to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries like Philippines into Canada. Instead of obtaining a traditional visa, eligible travelers can apply for the ETA online, making the process quick and straightforward. The Canada eTA is linked electronically to the Filipino passport and remains valid for upto 5 (five) years, allowing them to enter Canada multiple times during its validity.
Do Filipino citizens Need to Apply for Canada eTA (Online Canada Visa)?
To enter Canada for short-term visits (up to six months) for purposes such as tourism, busienss, or transit, Filipino citizens need to apply for and obtain a Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). This mandatory travel document is designed to expedite the border clearance process and strengthen Canada's security measures. Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure date.
What are requirements of Canada eTA for Filipino citizens?
The requirements for Filipino citizens to obtain a Canada eTA are straightforward:
Valid Filipino Passport
Filipino citizens must have a valid and current Passport to apply for a Canada eTA. Filipino citizens with dual nationality should ensure they apply using the same passport they will travel with, as the Canada eTA will be linked to the passport used during the application process.
Online Payment
A credit or debit card is needed to pay for the Canada eTA application.
Working Email Address
Applicants must provide a valid email address to receive the eTA approval.
No Prior Criminal History
If you have previous criminal history or previous immigration issues, you are unlikely to be successful in obtaining Canada eTA approval. Instead you will need to apply for traditional Canada Visitor Visa.
This notice is intended to inform Filipino citizens of the entry requirements for travel to Canada.
-
Air Travel: All Filipino citizens, regardless of their intended stay duration or purpose of travel (including those in transit), are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) prior to their departure for Canada.
- Filipino citizens must have U.S. nonimmigrant visa OR held a Canada Visitor Visa in the last ten (10) years to be eligible for Canada eTA.
- Land or Sea Travel: Filipino citizens entering Canada by land (including private vehicle or commercial bus) or sea (including cruise ship) require a valid Canada Visitor Visa. Visa applications should be submitted to a Canadian visa office in the Philippines.
Since your Canada eTA eligibility depends upon previously issued Canada Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) or US non-immigrant visa, you must travel with your old passport if it holds:
- your expired Canadian visitor visa, or
- your valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa.
How can I apply for a Canada eTA from Philippines?
Canada eTA Application Process for Filipino citizens:
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Online Application | Online Application Form that can be completed in as little as five (5) minutes. |
| Necessary Information | Applicants to enter information on their passport page, personal details, their contact details, like email and address, and employment details. |
| Health and Criminal History | Applicant must be in good health and should not have a criminal history. Otherwise extra documentation will be requested. |
| Submission & Payment | Pay the application fee using a Credit or Debit card. |
| Application Processing | Following successful payment of the application fee, the Canada eTA approval process commences. |
| Approval and Delivery | Once the online application form is submitted with all necessary information and the payment is verified, the approved eTA for Filipino citizens will be delivered electronically via email. In most cases, Canada eTA is approved within 24 hours. |
| Additional Documentation | In very rare circumstance, if additional documentation is required, then the applicant will be contacted prior to approval of Canada eTA. |
How Long Can Filipino citizens stay on Canada Visa Online?
Filipino citizen's departure date must be within 6 months of arrival. Filipino passport holders are required to obtain a Canada Electronic Travel Authority (Canada eTA) even for a short duration of 1 day up to 6 months. If the Filipino citizens intend to stay for a longer duration, then they should apply for a relevant Visa depending on their circumstances. Canada eTA is only valid for 5 years. Filipino citizens can enter multiple times during the 5 year validity of the Canada eTA.
Can Filipino citizens extend their stay in Canada on Canada eTA?
By law, Canada eTA allows you to visit Canada for upto six months or upto the date authorised by CBSA(Canada Border Security Agency) officer. You can extend your stay in Canada but you must apply to extend your stay using Visitor Record. It is important to note that a Visitor Record is not an Visa or an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). Visitor Record includes a new expiry date before which you must leave Canada, so it extends the time limit of existing Visa or Canada eTA. You must apply for it before the existing allowed stay period expires.
Applying Early for Canada eTA for Filipino Citizens?
Filipino citizens seeking to obtain a Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) are advised to submit their applications at least 72 hours (or three days) prior to their intended departure to Canada. While most eTAs are processed within 24 hours, allowing for a longer processing time can help mitigate potential delays.
It is important to note that Canada eTAs once issued are valid for up to five years (unless your Passport expires earlier). This allows for advance planning and application, even if flight details have not yet been confirmed. In rare instances, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may request additional documentation.
Additional documents could include:
- A Medical Examination - A medical examination, which may be required for certain individuals.
- Criminal record check - A criminal record check, if the applicant has a previous conviction. The Canadian Visa office will determine whether a police certificate is necessary based on the specific circumstances.
By adhering to above guidelines, Filipino citizens can increase their likelihood of a successful eTA application.
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Canada eTA Application Form?
While Canada eTA Application process is extremely straightforward, it is worthwhile to understand the essential requirements and avoid common mistakes listed below.
- Passport numbers are almost always 8 to 11 characters. If you are entering a number that is too short or too long or outside of this range, it is quite likely that you are entering a wrong number.
- Enter information without hyphens, spaces, or special characters (like shown below in the image)
- Another common error is swapping letter O and number 0 or letter I and the number 1.
-
Name related issue like
- Full name: Name put in Canada eTA application must match the name exactly as given in the Passport. You can look at MRZ strip in your Passport information page to make sure you have entered the full name, including any middle-names.
- Do not include previous names: Do not include any part of that name in brackets or previous names. Again, consult the MRZ strip.
- Non-english name: Your name must be in English characters. Do not use non-English characters like Chinese/Hebrew/Greek alphabets to spell your name.
- Learn more at How To Enter a Name On the Canada eTA Application
Enter passport number as shown without spaces and name as given on MRZ strip
Summary of Canada ETA for Filipino Citizens
Canada ETA Visa for Filipino Citizens is valid for the following reasons:
- Sightseeing
- Visiting Tourist Spots
- Business events and meetings
- Passing or Transit via Canadian Airport
- Medical treatment
Benefits of obtaining Canada eTA
- It can be filled entirely online and does not require you to get a stamp on the passport or visit Canadian Embassy
- Sent to your electronically by email instead of a stamp on passport
- It is valid for upto 5 Years
- It is a Multipe-Entry authorization and allows stays of upto 180 days per trip
- Valid for travel by Air
Filipino citizens should take advantage of ArriveCAN app
For several Canadian international airports, the advanced declaration may be made online via the ArriveCAN service. The ArriveCAN app lets you submit your customs and immigration declaration electronically up to 3 days before your flight, so you can use the express lane and get through customs faster
Consulate General of Philippine in Canada
Address
7th Floor, 160 Eglinton Ave. East Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 3B5Phone
(416) 922.7181Fax
(416) 922.2638Apply for Canada eTA at least 72 hours before your flight to Canada.