Canada ETA for Filipino Citizens
Before a tourist from Philippines is allowed into the borders of Canada, they need a Canada eTA or a regular Canada Visa. The Canadian government authorizes a Canada eTA, or Electronic Travel Authorization, as an online document. It grants Filipino citizens approval to travel within Canada’s borders. Furthermore, this system offers a convenient and streamlined process for eligible travelers
eTA Eligibility for Filipino Citizens
- All citizens Philippines are eligible to apply for Canadian eTA.
- 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
- The Canadian eTA is valid only for air travel.
Other Requirements for Canada eTA
- Citizens of the Philippines can apply for a Canadian eTA online.
- Tourists must provide a soft copy of their passport which is readable by machine.
- All applicants must be over the age of 18 or have a parent/guardian.
- Canadian eTA is available for tourists, business purposes, transit, and medical visits.
What is a Canada eTA for Citizens Philippines?
A Canadian eTA is a travel document that is linked directly to the passport of the tourist and all the tourist is required to do after the approval of their Canadian eTA is to show their passport to the immigration officer before entering Canada proper.
Is a Canada eTA Even Necessary?
The short answer to this question is yes. For every tourist from Philippines, looking to stay for a long period in Canada, it is necessary to obtain a Canada eTA prior to visit so that they are able to legally travel within Canadian borders. This applies to citizens who are transiting from Canada via air travel.
Transiting means that a citizen is only arriving in Canada to travel to a different country. Tourists transiting via buses, ships, and trains do not require a Canada eTA.
To apply for a Canadian eTA, you will have to search online for the application form for Canada eTA. Here, you or your eTA service provider will be required to fill out an online application form that will sent to the government for scrutiny after which your Canadian eTA is granted.
This application form asks basic questions regarding personal details, background, employment details, and criminal records. You must attach all necessary documents to support the information you provide in the application. If you observed closely, you might have noticed that the Canadian eTA includes a request for your employment details. Interestingly, this requirement is not typically part of other tourist eTAs, making it somewhat unique to Canada’s system. This information might used to gain a better understanding of visitors’ profiles and purposes of travel
Your employment details are crucial to the Canadian government as this helps to support your reasons for visiting and your connections to your home country. These strict policies are the result of the increase in global terrorist activities in 2016, to prevent such individuals from entering Canada.
Can a Citizen Philippines Stay in Canada for More Than 90 Days?
Every tourist of Canada is allowed to stay in Canada for 6 months or 180 days during one visit while their eTA is still valid. The Canadian eTA allows for multiple visits until it is valid which makes it a multiple-visit permit for a citizen Philippines. Check the Canadian government’s official website if you wish to learn more.
Is it Possible to Extend My Stay in Canada?
A Canadian eTA allows you to stay in Canada for 6 months during one visit, you cannot extend it. But, if you want to extend your stay in Canada for longer than that, you will need to use the Visitor’s Record and apply for an extended date before the expiry period.
The Visitor’s Record is a database that contains the expiry dates of every Canada eTA before the holder is required to leave the country.
By applying for an extension, the Visitor’s Record will modify the existing date of expiry into a new one, allowing for a new date before which you must leave Canada. You need to submit this application and ensure its approval before your visit’s expiry date.
When Should a Filipino Citizen Apply for a Canadian eTA?
For every Filipino Citizen, the correct time to start applying for a Canadian eTa may vary. The biggest determinant of the correct time is the necessary documents that you need to submit along with the application.
In particular, to get a Canadian eTA, citizens Philippines need a valid passport that does not expire at least for the next 6 months from the date of the planned visit. So, if you need to renew any of these documents, you will spend more time applying for the Canadian eTA.
If these issues don’t apply to you, then it is recommended that you start applying for Canadian eTA at least 72 hours or 3 days before your date of visit.
How Long Does the Application Process Take?
The answer to this question depends on how fast you can answer all the questions asked in the application form. This depends on several factors, such as how quickly you type and whether you need to provide additional information. In certain cases, authorities ask for additional information when you have a criminal background. If your earnings fall below what is considered adequate, authorities actively request additional information to assess your situation.
It takes around 30 minutes for the Canadian government to scrutinize your application. So, in cases where you or your eTA service provider are well prepared with all necessary documents ready to submit and fast typing speed, the processing time should not take more than 1 or 2 hours for your Canadian eTA to be approved.
What Questions Are Asked by the Canadian eTA Application Process?
When it comes to the questions asked by the Canadian eTA application process, you will asked the following questions:
Basic Details: This includes questions like your name, age, gender, address, and contact details. The information provided here must match your valid passport.
Medical and Criminal Background: You will asked questions regarding your medical and criminal history. If you don’t have any noteworthy information to show here then no further questions are asked, otherwise you will have to provide additional details regarding any diseases or charges you have suffered from in the past.
Employment Details: This section asks you to provide information about your occupation, job, designation, and employment details. Applicants who classify as housewives, retired, or students can mostly skip this part of the application but, students must provide details regarding the school or university they are studying in.
Once you are done filling up the form, you will asked to submit a fee which at this time is 7 Canadian Dollars. Attach all the necessary documents to support the information you provided above and wait for the results of the scrutiny.
Can I Correct Mistakes in My Canada eTA Application Form?
If you find any errors in your Canada eTA application after approval or during the review process. You must correct them by submitting a new application using a fresh Canada eTA form. Therefore, it’s essential to double-check all information before submission to avoid unnecessary complications. Applicants cannot amend their approved Canada eTAs or the application form once submitted.
Ensure your Canada eTA is accurate and up-to-date before traveling to Canada. At the airport, immigration officers will examine your passport. If they discover any discrepancies between your passport and eTA information, you could face issues with entry. Therefore, double-checking your details beforehand is crucial for a seamless travel experience.
Benefits of Obtaining Canada eTA
- Canada’s eTA remains valid for 5 Years.
- Canada’s eTA allows multiple trips to Canada and a maximum stay of 6 months.
So, if you wish to apply for a Canada eTA, consider applying online for quick and easy approval of eTA application.
Canadian Embassy in Philippines
Tower 2, RCBC Plaza,
6819 Ayala Avenue,
Makati City,
Manila, Philippines 1200
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