Canada has listed 17 countries whose citizens may be eligible to travel to the country by air with an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead of a visitor visa, subject to meeting specific requirements.

The eTA option is available to citizens of certain countries whose nationals normally require a visa to enter Canada.

However, eligibility is not automatic. Travellers must meet all the requirements set by the Canadian government before applying for an eTA.

To qualify, travellers must have held a Canadian visitor visa within the past 10 years or currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa.

They must also be travelling to Canada for a temporary stay, normally of up to six months, and must be flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport using a valid passport from one of the eligible countries.

Citizens who do not meet all three conditions will still need to apply for a Canadian visitor visa.

17 countries whose citizens may be eligible for Canada eTA

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Brazil

Costa Rica

Indonesia

Malaysia

Mexico

Morocco

Panama

Philippines

St Kitts and Nevis

St Lucia

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Seychelles

Thailand

Trinidad and Tobago

Uruguay

Indonesia and Malaysia are the latest additions to the list.

eTA only applies to air travel

The eTA arrangement applies specifically to travellers flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport.

Eligible citizens who plan to enter Canada by car, bus, train or boat must still obtain a valid visitor visa. This includes people travelling to Canada from the United States by car and those arriving by bus, train or cruise ship.

Travellers with an existing Canadian visa

People who already have a valid Canadian visitor visa do not need to obtain an eTA to fly to Canada.

They can continue travelling with their visitor visa until it expires.

Travellers must use the same passport used when applying for their eTA.

Anyone who receives a new passport after obtaining an eTA must apply for a new eTA using the new passport.

Canadian authorities also recommend carrying an old passport if it contains an expired Canadian visitor visa or a valid US non-immigrant visa.

The US visa must have been valid at the time the traveller applied for the eTA, although it does not necessarily have to remain valid on the date they travel to Canada.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents

Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, cannot apply for an eTA and must travel to Canada by air with a valid Canadian passport.

Canadian permanent residents also cannot use an eTA. They must travel with a valid permanent resident card or permanent resident travel document. (Vanguard)