OTTAWA, Dec. 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Citizens of Romania and Bulgaria no longer need a visa as of 9 a.m. ET (4 p.m. EET) today, to travel to Canada for short stays (normally for up to six months) for business, to visit family and friends, or for tourism.

However, similar to other visa-exempt travellers, they will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. An eTA allows officials to screen travellers for potential inadmissibility before they board their flight to Canada.

The decision to lift the visa requirements is a culmination of high-level engagement with Romania and Bulgaria on visa issues that began in 2014. It demonstrates the importance the Government of Canada places on its relationship with both countries, and the EU more broadly.

Quote

"Canada values its strong ties with Romania, Bulgaria and the EU, and we are pleased to be able to extend visa-free travel to citizens of all EU member states. Making it easier for Romanians and Bulgarians to come to Canada will encourage more travel and trade, which in turn, will create new business, trade and investment opportunities for Canadians and Europeans alike."

– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Quick facts

The Government of Canada website, Canada.ca/eTA , is the only valid site for travellers to apply for an eTA.

website, , is the for travellers to apply for an eTA. Applying for an eTA is a simple, inexpensive ( $7 CAD) online process that takes minutes to complete. All travellers need is a passport, credit or debit card, an email address and access to the Internet.

CAD) online process that takes minutes to complete. All travellers need is a passport, credit or debit card, an email address and access to the Internet. Between May 1 and November 30, 2017 , eligible Romanians and Bulgarians were able to apply for an eTA, instead of a visa, to fly to Canada .

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SOURCE Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada