- Canada's IRCC outlined specific traveller categories that are exempt from the standard visa and eTA requirements
- The exemptions cover a wide range of travellers, from US nationals and permanent residents to diplomatic passport holders
- Crew members, transit passengers, and armed forces personnel are among those who qualify for the exemption
TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published a list of 11 categories of foreign nationals who are exempt from the standard requirement to hold a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before entering the country.
Source: Facebook
IRCC exemptions apply across a broad range of traveller types, from those with existing ties to Canada or the United States to individuals performing official duties abroad.
Who qualifies for the exemption?
- US nationals and lawful permanent residents of the United States are among those who do not require a visa or eTA.
- Similarly, foreign nationals who already hold valid status in Canada as visitors, students, or workers are exempt if they are re-entering the country after travelling solely to the US or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.
- French citizens who reside in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and are flying directly from that territory to Canada also fall within the exempted group.
- Several travel-related scenarios involving stopovers are covered as well. Passengers on flights to or from the US that stop in Canada purely to refuel, provided they hold valid US entry documents, do not need a visa or eTA. The same applies to anyone on a flight that makes an unscheduled stop on Canadian soil.
- Foreign nationals transiting through a Canadian airport under either the Transit Without a Visa or China Transit programmes are likewise exempt from the standard travel authorisation requirements.
- Aviation and maritime professionals form another significant category in the IRCC guidance.
- Crew members arriving by boat who intend to continue working on that vessel or transfer to another are not required to obtain a visa or eTA. Flight crew, civil aviation inspectors, and accident investigators who are working or will be working during their time in Canada are also included.
- Air transportation crew members, or individuals travelling to Canada to join such crews, are covered under a separate provision, as are those transiting through Canada after completing crew duties, provided they hold a ticket to depart within 24 hours of arrival.
- Members of the armed forces, excluding civilian components, of countries designated under Canada's Visiting Forces Act are exempt when travelling to perform official duties.
- Diplomats holding a diplomatic, consular, or official acceptance issued by the Chief of Protocol of Global Affairs Canada in their passports round out the list of exempted individuals.
- Travellers who do not fall within any of these categories are required to obtain the appropriate travel document before departing for Canada.
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How many Express Entry invitations did Canada issue?
In other news, Canada issued 2,500 invitations to apply for permanent residence through its Express Entry system, targeting candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
The October 15, 2026 draw required candidates to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 519.
The score is based on factors such as age, education, language skills and work experience.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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