Philippines Now on the List for Canada Visa-Free Entry

Philippines has officially joined an exclusive group of countries that no longer need a standard visitor visa to enter Canada. This major update also includes 12 other nations, such as Thailand, Argentina, and several Caribbean countries like St. Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda. This move aims to make travel faster and cheaper for people visiting family or doing business.

According to a formal announcement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the federal agency in charge of the country's borders, this change is part of a strategy to make travel more efficient. Instead of paying for a traditional visa that often costs over $100 CAD, eligible Filipinos can now apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). This digital permit costs only $7 CAD and is usually approved in just a few minutes.

Full list of Canada visa exempt countries 2026

Philippines is part of a broad expansion of this program. This update covers 13 different nations across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The countries included are:

• Philippines

• Thailand

• Argentina

• Costa Rica

• Morocco

• Panama

• Seychelles

• Uruguay

• Antigua and Barbuda

• St. Kitts and Nevis

• St. Lucia

• St. Vincent and the Grenadines

• Trinidad and Tobago

Also read: No Job, No Agent, No Age Limit: How Filipinos Can Immigrate to Canada in 2025

Canada eTA eligibility for Filipinos

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While the news sounds like a total open door, there are specific rules on who actually qualifies for this visa-free access. You cannot simply book a flight and show up with just a passport.

To use the eTA system, you must meet these two requirements:

• You must be flying into Canada. This rule only applies to air travel. If you try to enter Canada by car from the U.S., or if you arrive on a cruise ship, you still need a regular visitor visa.

• You must be a "known traveller." This means you either had a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years, or you currently hold a valid non-immigrant visa for the United States.

If you do not have a past Canadian visa or a current U.S. visa, the old rules still apply. You will need to go through the standard application process for a temporary resident visa managed by the IRCC.

How to apply for Canada eTA online

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The application is done entirely online through the official government portal. You only need a valid passport, a working email address, and a credit or debit card to pay the $7 CAD fee, which is approximately ₱301.00. Once approved, the eTA is linked to your passport and stays valid for five years or until your passport expires.

If you use a Philippine credit or debit card (like GCash, Maya, or a regular BPI/BDO card), the bank will automatically do the conversion for you. You will usually see a charge between ₱305 and ₱320 on your statement to account for the bank's service fee.

Be very careful when searching for the application link. Since the fee is so low ($7 CAD), many third-party websites try to look like the official government site but charge $50 to $100 CAD for the same service.

The official link to apply for a Canadian Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is directly through the Government of Canada's website, Canada.ca/eTA, specifically the page: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html, which leads to the secure online application portal. Be cautious of unofficial sites; only use the official government domain (canada.ca) to ensure your application is legitimate and secure.

Even with an eTA, you can stay in Canada for up to six months at a time. You still need to show border officers that you have enough money for your stay and that you plan to leave before your time is up. This new policy is a big change for the Filipino community, especially for those who already travel frequently to the U.S. It removes the barrier of high fees and long processing times for thousands of people.

With Philippines now on the eTA list, traveling to Canada is more affordable for many families and professionals. Whether you are visiting relatives in Toronto or exploring the mountains in Banff, this update cuts down on the stress of international travel. Just remember to check your passport and visa status before booking your flights to ensure you qualify for this easier entry method.

Featured image credit: Canva Pro