How the Government of Canada’s new entry rules affect Romanians

How the Government of Canada’s new entry rules affect Romanians

What has changed?

As of June 5, 2018, Romanian citizens need a valid electronic passport to continue travelling to Canada without a visa and only require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for air travel.

This means that Romanians who hold a non-electronic passport, such as a temporary passport, will need a valid visa to travel to Canada.

On this page

• Visitors
• Students and workers
• Travelling soon
• Upon arrival in Canada

Visitors

Got an eTA with an electronic passport on or after December 1, 2017?

Nothing has changed: you can keep travelling to Canada visa-free and you continue to need a valid eTA to fly to, or transit through a Canadian airport. You do not need to apply for a new eTA until your current one expires, or you get a new electronic passport, whichever comes first

Got an eTA with a non-electronic passport on or after December 1, 2017?

Your eTA is no longer valid. You will need to get a valid visitor visa to travel to Canada with a non-electronic passport. You can apply online for a visa or at any Visa Application Centre (VAC).

Note: If you have or get an electronic passport on or after June 5, 2018, you will remain eligible to apply for an eTA.

Got an eTA before December 1, 2017?

Your current eTA remains valid to fly to, or transit through a Canadian airport. An eTA is valid for five (5) years or until your electronic passport expires, whichever comes first.

NOTE:

• If you got your eTA on the basis of expanded eTA eligibility by either having held a previous Canadian visa, or holding a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa:
  • You must fly to, or transit through a Canadian airport with the same passport you used to apply for your eTA. Your eTA is electronically linked to your passport.
  • Bring your old Romanian passport if it holds:
    • your expired Canadian visitor visa, or
    • your valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa.
• If you get a new electronic passport, you will need to apply for a new eTA.
• If you got your eTA as a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., you must travel with your U.S. Green Card (permanent resident card), along with the valid passport you used to apply for your eTA.

How can you tell if you have an electronic passport?

Look for the symbol of a rectangle with a circle in the middle, on the cover of your passport. If you see it, you have an electronic passport.

Don’t remember when you got your eTA and want to confirm if it is still valid?

If you have been affected by the changes, you should receive an email from the Government of Canada informing you that your eTA is no longer valid.

Note: if you can locate your eTA approval email, you can check the status of your eTA. To do so:

• You will need the eTA number found in your eTA approval email;
• Details from the passport you used to apply for your eTA; and  
• Use the eTA Check Status Tool to confirm.

As a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., are you eligible to apply for an eTA?

Yes, you are eligible to apply for an eTA. To note, when flying to Canada, you must travel with your valid U.S. Green Card (permanent resident card), along with the valid passport you used to apply for your eTA.

Students and workers

Got a study or work permit with an electronic passport on or after December 1, 2017?

Nothing has changed: your permit is still valid, and you can continue to travel to Canada visa-free. The eTA that was issued to you with your permit remains valid and, as always, you will be able to use it to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport.

Note: if you got a study or work permit before December 1, 2017, you were automatically issued a visa so you can keep travelling to Canada with that visa until it expires.

Got a study or work permit with a non-electronic passport on or after December 1, 2017?

Your study or work permit is still valid. However, you can no longer travel to Canada visa-free, and the eTA issued when your permit was approved is no longer valid.

You will need to apply for a valid visa if you plan to travel to or re-enter Canada from abroad. You can apply online for a visa, or submit a paper application in person or by mail to any VAC.

Note: If you have or get an electronic passport on or after June 5, 2018, you will remain eligible to apply for an eTA.

Travelling soon

Flying to Canada on June 5?

The Government of Canada is working closely with airlines to help facilitate travel if you meet all requirements to enter the country and are already in transit to Canada. However, we may not be able to facilitate everyone and delays are possible.

If you have received an email from the Government of Canada informing you that your eTA is no longer valid, you will not be facilitated and you will need to apply for a visa to travel to Canada.

Flying to Canada in the next two weeks and need to apply for a visa?

If you booked a flight to Canada before June 5, 2018, and are travelling on or before June 18, 2018, you have two options:

• You can send your complete visa application, along with proof that you purchased your flight before June 5, 2018, the appropriate fees and supporting documents, to the nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) for priority processing.
• If you are in Bucharest, London, Rome, or Vienna and go in person to the IRCC visa office at the Canadian Embassy or High Commission before 12 p.m. Monday-Friday, your application will be processed that day or, if by courier, within 24 hours, provided you do not need to submit any additional documents. You must submit your complete visa application, along with proof that you purchased your flight before June 5, 2018, the appropriate fees and all supporting documents.

Please note that, while your application will receive priority processing, we cannot guarantee that your application will be approved, or that you will receive a visa by your travel date. You may need to reschedule your flight.

Flying to Canada after June 18, 2018, and need to apply for a visa?

You can apply online for a visa, or submit a paper application in person or by mail to any VAC.

Upon arrival in Canada

You should note that, similar to other international travellers, having a visa or eTA only allows you to travel to Canada. It does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter the country. All persons seeking entry to Canada must present themselves to a Canada Border Services Agency officer who will make the final determination on entry. Individuals who are improperly documented will experience delays and could be denied entry to Canada.

Find out what you need to travel to Canada at Canada.ca/visit

Electronic passport holders only

Look on the front cover of your passport for the symbol of a rectangle with a circle in the middle. If you see this symbol, you have an electronic passport.