T&T is among 13 countries eligible for visa-free travel to Canada. This country has been added to Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorisation Programme (ETA). The announcement was made by Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, in Winnipeg yesterday. The other countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand and Uruguay.
In a press statement, T&T Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Amery Browne stated, “Trinidad and Tobago has a large Diaspora in Canada and this development is important for enhanced travel and connection for nationals seeking entry to the country.
“This latest development, the inclusion of Trinidad and Tobago on the list of countries eligible for visa-free travel to Canada, is a testament to the strength of the bilateral relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and Canada. A relationship, which is built upon our shared values, solid people-to-people, economic and cultural ties,” he said.
He noted that T&T nationals travelling to Canada by air would only require an ETA from the Canadian authorities and the High Commission of Canada in Port-of-Spain will provide details on that process in due course.
Browne added that T&T nationals have a history of travel to Canada whether for educational or career pursuits, tourism, business or family connections. “Canada has increasingly opened avenues allowing greater access to Trinidad and Tobago nationals through various programmes such as international study options like the Student Direct Stream and the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme.”
While pleased to receive this news, he reminded the public of the eligibility criteria outlined by Canadian officials. He said this visa-waiver arrangement will only be accessible to T&T nationals who have held a Canadian visa in the last ten years or currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa and enter Canada by air.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago, I wish to express our sincerest appreciation to the Government and people of Canada on this positive development; this gesture will continue to strengthen and grow our bilateral relations,” Browne said.
Meanwhile, Minister Fraser in his address, said his country was interested in encouraging more tourism as well as attracting others interested in working and studying in Canada. The minister said visa-free travel makes the pre-travel processing easier, faster and more affordable.
Explaining that ETA is basically a digital travel document to Canada, he said it costs seven dollars, most applications are approved automatically and it is valid for five years or until the expiration of the holder’s passport. Fraser said, “Today’s announcement is going to help facilitate the opportunity for people to come and visit and the tourism sector, to be reunited with loved ones more effectively and it will have a very important positive impact on immigration processing as well.”