Visas: changes for business travellers to Canada

Canada is now following in the footsteps of the United States and Australia. Since 3 August, a electronic travel authorisation (AVE) is required for any traveller from a country which until now has been exempt from the visa requirement. This includes citizens of the European Union, including France. However, the electronic travel authorisation is not required for citizens of the United States, or for all travellers with a valid Canadian visa. Canadian citizens with dual nationality and permanent residents of the country are also exempt from the ETA requirement.

However, there are a number of reasons for this, a " leniency period "exists It will end on 29 September next. During this period, the authorities will still accept passengers with the appropriate travel documents: for example, a valid passport, a return plane ticket, and the fact that they are in good health and have sufficient financial resources in Canada.

Applying for an AVE is very quick, and is done online. The online process is simple and inexpensive (7 $ CAN, or around 5.50 Euros) and generally only takes a few minutes to complete. Most electronic travel authorisation applications are processed within a few minutes. Authorisation to enter Canada is then issued to the applicant. valid for a period of five years. It generally allows for a stay of up to six months after the date of arrival. The measure was adopted last year to enable Canada to screen and monitor any visitor wishing to enter the country.

The measure is largely modelled on that for the United States, but the Canadian formula is more flexible and less expensive. In the United States, the prior travel authorisation costs 14 dollars for a stay not exceeding 90 days, and is valid for a maximum of two years.