Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 14) — Canada expects more Filipinos visitors after launching its visa-free program for qualified Filipinos in June.
Filipinos who traveled to Canada in the last 10 years or those who hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa are qualified for the visa-free entry to the North American country. They will only need to secure an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).The Philippines is among 13 countries chosen for the program.Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman told CNN Philippines that 82,000 have so far availed of the visa-free entry.Canada is a welcoming country, it’s welcoming to migrants, its welcoming families, it’s welcoming friends,” he said.The ambassador added that the ETA program is part of their efforts to further promote and strengthen people-to-people ties.It’s a mechanism for us to facilitate a free flow of exchange of people coming into Canada. It is intended to be facilitated, it is intended to be relatively quick to apply, relatively inexpensive,” Hartman said.Canada said it is ready to accommodate more Filipino visitors through the ETA initiative.We would be able to facilitate millions of eligible Filipinos to come to Canada to visit family, for tourism, to connect or reconnect… it’s something we are tremendously proud of,” the envoy noted.
