Is Canada truly visa-free for Filipinos? Here is what you need to know

Dubai: In just the last few days, reports circulating online have sparked a frenzy with claims that Canada has gone “visa-free” for Filipinos. For those currently planning their 2026 holidays or family reunions, the news is significant—but it comes with important fine print that many are overlooking.

While the Canadian government has widened access for Philippine passport holders, this is not a blanket visa waiver. The reality is a conditional system that rewards 'known travellers' while maintaining strict requirements for everyone else.

What is an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)?

At the heart of this recent “visa-free” buzz is the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). For a fee of CAD $7 (roughly P300), eligible Filipinos can bypass the traditional, more expensive visa process. However, the catch lies entirely in one’s travel history.

To qualify for this streamlined entry, travelers must meet one of two specific criteria: they must have held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years, or they must currently hold a valid non-immigrant visa for the United States. Those who do not fall into either category are not covered by the 'visa-free' claim and must still apply for a standard Temporary Resident Visa, which involves a CAD $100 fee and a much longer waiting period.

Air travel only: the hidden boundary

Another important detail for travellers to remember is that an eTA is strictly for those arriving by air.

This means that travelers planning a cross-border road trip from the US into Canada, or arriving via a cruise ship, cannot use an eTA. Even if visa history requirements are met, entry by land or sea still requires a traditional visitor visa sticker in the passport.

Faster, cheaper, but not automatic

For those who do qualify, the benefits are clear. Unlike the standard visa, which often involves lengthy processing times and biometric appointments at a visa centre, the eTA is digitally linked to a passport. To apply, travellers must have a valid passport, an email address and a debit or credit card.

Most applications are approved within minutes, and the authorization typically remains valid for up to five years or until the passport expires. For Filipino travelers, this means fewer travel requirements and greater flexibility when planning trips to explore or visit family in Canada.