Top 5 Things You Need to Know About the New Travel Restrictions to Canada
- First, all foreign nationals visiting from Mexico are now required to obtain a visa, reversing a previous policy that allowed visa-free travel—this change takes effect immediately to manage immigration volumes.
- Second, if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you are still exempt from visa requirements but must present a valid passport and may face enhanced questioning at the border regarding your trip purpose.
- Third, for travelers from other visa-exempt countries, a new electronic travel authorization (eTA) is now mandatory, even for short visits, and applications require up to 72 hours for processing.
- Fourth, any non-essential travel from countries with rising COVID-19 cases could trigger additional testing or quarantine requirements upon arrival, so check Canada's official travel health notices before booking.
- Fifth, all visitors must verify their eligibility using the new online "Travel Ready" tool on the Government of Canada website to avoid being denied boarding or entry at the border.