eTA for Canada, the new features of the electronic visa

In this article we delve into the features of Canada's eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) and the uses of this electronic visa.

Canada
Canada

eTA Canada – Who should request it and what is it for

First of all, it should be clarified that the eTA is mandatory for all those who intend to visit Canada for tourism or business trips. The eTA is also mandatory for those passengers who transit through Canadian territory, even if it is not their final destination: for example people who have planned a trip to the United States with an airline that stops in a city in Canada, they are obliged to apply for the eTA.
Contrary to what is commonly thought, the eTA is not a real visa, but a control procedure that the Canadian government wanted to implement to monitor the migratory flows of people in transit (even temporarily) in the country.
As the number of passengers traveling around the world increases each year and complex issues related to immigrants and refugees arriving from countries at war increase, airport borders are faced with complex, time-consuming situations.
With the introduction of the eTA, the Canadian government thought of this solution to streamline immigration procedures, avoiding an excessive bureaucratic burden of passenger verification procedures at the border.

Countries Eligible for the eTA Canada Program

To date, there are 52 countries exempt from requiring an entry visa and which can request an eTA before traveling to Canada. Italy is also one of the countries admitted to the eTA program for Canada.
To obtain the eTA, it is not necessary to go to a Consulate. The procedure is carried out directly online, by filling out a rather complex form and providing various information, all necessary to successfully complete the procedure.
Once the procedure has been successfully completed, the authorization allows multiple entries into Canada for 6 months (180 days) starting from the date of issue of the eTA.
It should be remembered that the eTA request is only necessary for those entering Canada by air: in practice, if you access Canada from the United States using a boat or a car, the eTA does not need to be requested. The eTA is also mandatory for minors.

The Procedure Required for the Issuance of the eTA for Canada

The entire procedure takes place completely online and requires a series of detailed information that must be available when completing the form:

  • personal information of the passenger (complete personal data, including a valid telephone number);
  • passport data with which you intend to travel to Canada;
  • information about your employment and your employer
  • a valid email address
  • valid credit card to make the payment for the eTA issuance

Submitting the form is the first step in the process. The data is examined by the authorities for formal validation with feedback on what was declared.
If there are no problems and the eTA is issued, it must be printed and kept with your passport to be shown to the authorities upon departure, before boarding, and upon arrival in Canada.

Failure to issue a Canada electronic visa

There have been cases where eTAs have also been denied to citizens belonging to the visa-exempt list of countries. This happens if:

  • you attempt to have an eTA issued using a passport that is lost or stolen;
  • if the person applying for the eTA has failed to leave Canada within the time required by law on previous trips;
  • if you have been denied entry to Canada on other occasions;
  • if there is a suspicion of being in any way connected to criminal or terrorist organisations.

The various uses of an eTA Canada
With the eTA you can plan trips to Canada for:

  • tourism and holidays;
  • visits to relatives and friends;
  • medical care and specialist visits;
  • participation in social events, concerts, sporting events, and more generally any event or competition, provided that no remuneration is foreseen;
  • participation in conferences and events of a scientific or educational and/or professionalizing or commercial nature;
  • participation in training and training courses;

the eTA is NOT valid for:

  • study activities (school credits, enrollment in a Canadian university);
  • work in Canada
  • work as a journalist or foreign correspondent for a newspaper, or to work in communications (press, film, or radio);
  • emigrate to Canada.
Sacacomie Lake, CanadaCanada

When to Apply for an eTA Canada?

The eTA must be requested at least 72 hours before departure for Canada. This must be considered as the extreme limit. In general it is best to make the request at least 2 weeks before departure, especially if there is a fear that for some reason the eTA may be denied. In that case it will be necessary to contact a consulate to verify the possibility of having a visa issued.

The Interview with the Immigration Officer upon arrival in Canada

Issuance of the eTA does not guarantee access to Canada. Before crossing the border there may be the need to have a brief interview with an immigration officer who will be able to ask the traveler all the questions he deems appropriate to ask in the interests of Canada to identify those "undesirable" subjects to whom he wishes to deny access.
We start from the general information about the subject and the purpose of the trip to get to personal life. This is all information that the customs officer collects to decide whether to reject the traveller.
In approximately 1 year of operation of the eTA there are a series of events and circumstances that characterize the operation of the eTA for Canada. There is a very detailed compilation of frequently asked questions and examples that can be consulted , here.

The Requirements to Access the eTA Canada Program

To use the eTA electronic visa, all of the following requirements must be met:

  • be a citizen of one of the countries admitted to the eTA Canada program (currently 52, including Italy);
  • provide for a maximum stay in the country for a duration of less than 180 days for holidays and tourism or business trips;
  • have a clean criminal record, without criminal records or convictions;
  • be in good health;
  • have (and be able to demonstrate that you have) economic interests and important ties with the country of origin (such as a job, owning a house or property).

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