The Canadian government has announced that visitors from thirteen countries in Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America can enter the country without a visa.
Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts-Nevis, Panama, Argentina, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Morocco, Seychelles, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, and the Philippines are now visa-free travel destinations, according to a statement by Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Sean Fraser.
“An expansion of the electronic travel authorization better known as the eTA programs makes it easier for ‘known travellers‘ from those countries to come here for fun and business,” the statement reads.
He said the expansion not only enhances convenience for travellers, it will also increase travel, tourism and economic benefits, as well as strengthen global bonds with these 13 countries.
“The known travellers from these countries can save a lot of money as a result of the visa exemptions.” the statement reads.
While Morocco and Seychelles were added to the list, Ghana, the gateway to Africa, did not make the mark.
A current visitor visa costs $100 per person and $500 per family of five or more, whereas an eTA costs only $7 per person and is valid for up to five years.
According to the government, the introduction of visa-free air travel will make it faster, simpler, and more affordable for thousands of tourists and business travellers to visit Canada for up to six months.
