Exciting news for Canada visa applicants! The country has just launched a new digital visa system that could soon change how travellers apply for and receive Canadian visas.
The pilot project, launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is part of the government’s plan to modernise its immigration services and make travel simpler and faster.
Canada Digital Visa Pilot
IRCC has launched a pilot project for digital visas. The test phase will collect feedback from real travellers and check whether the new system works well with airlines and other partners.
The digital visa means travellers will no longer need to mail or hand in their passports to get a visa. Canada says the system adheres to strict privacy and security rules and is designed to work seamlessly with international travel standards.
Why Was Morocco Selected First
Morocco is the first country chosen for the trial. A small number of Moroccan citizens who already have an approved visitor visa will receive a digital version along with the normal sticker in their passports.
Canada wants to see how these travellers use the digital visa in real life. If any problems appear, they can fix them before rolling out the new format more widely. According to IRCC, what they learn from Moroccan travellers will shape the future of digital immigration documents.
Visa-Free Entry for Qatar
Canada has also made travel easier for Qatari citizens by removing the visa requirement entirely. Qataris can now enter Canada visa-free, but there’s one step they still need to complete.
However, travellers who don’t already hold a valid temporary resident visa must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before flying to Canada.
Important Note About eTA Eligibility
IRCC reminds Moroccan travellers that some of them may not need a visitor visa at all. They can apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if all three of these conditions are true:
- They have had a Canadian visitor visa in the last 10 years or currently hold a valid US non-immigrant visa.
- They are visiting Canada for a short stay, usually up to six months.
- They are entering Canada by air using a valid passport from a country that qualifies for the eTA program.
If one of these conditions is missing, a visitor visa is still required.
What This Means for Travellers
For now, this digital visa trial affects only a small group. But if everything goes well, Canada may move toward digital visas for many travellers in the future. It could make the process much quicker and reduce paperwork for millions of people planning to visit Canada.
Final Thoughts
This digital visa pilot is worth watching, especially for frequent travellers and those who follow immigration tech developments. Canada seems ready to take a big step toward fully digital travel documents.
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