Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada has updated its travel frameworks for 2026, releasing comprehensive guidelines that clarify the specific entry documentation required for international visitors based on their nationality and mode of transport.
French citizens residing in and flying directly from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, diplomatic passport holders, and commercial transit flight crews meeting specific operational criteria are also exempted from both requirements.
A broader registry of nations allows citizens to bypass traditional embassy visas provided they travel by air and secure an online eTA beforehand.
Notably, these travellers do not need an electronic permit if they arrive by land or sea instead of by air.
Nations Requiring Only an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Papua New Guinea
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania (electronic passport holders only)
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Vatican City State
The immigration department also maintains a secondary list of visa-required nations whose citizens may transition to an eTA under narrow conditions.
To qualify, these travellers must arrive exclusively by air and satisfy separate structural requirements, such as holding specific active foreign travel permits.
Countries Eligible for Conditional Online Clearance
- 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
It is important to note that any passport holder from a nation missing from these electronic registries must secure a traditional visitor visa and submit mandatory biometric data prior to departure, as border authorities will not grant entry without these requirements being met in advance.
