Starting November 10, all Canadian citizens, as well as all Canadian citizens with a second passport from a visa-exempt country, will need a valid Canadian passport to board their flight to Canada. This means Canadian citizens with a second passport who currently fly to Canada on their non-Canadian passport, including those with a second citizenship from a visa-exempt country (other than U.S. passport holders), will need to show proof that they are Canadian citizens to board any flight to Canada. Canadian citizens are strongly encouraged to renew or obtain a Canadian passport as soon as they can to avoid missing their flight to Canada.

Pakistani passport holders still require a visa to fly to Canada. Information on visas for Canada is available through the website of the High Commission of Canada at www.pakistan.gc.ca. Travellers are also encouraged to consult our Visa Application Centers in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore, by phone at +92-51-843-9344 or in person at:

• 14-B Sadiq Plaza, G-9 Markaz, Islamabad
• Bahria Complex IV, 4th Floor, Main Chaudhary Khaliq UZ Zaman Road, Gizri, Clifton, Karachi
• 20 Ex American Centre Building, Opposite Ganga Ram Hospital, Queens Road, Lahore

If a traveller normally does not need a visa to enter Canada because she or he is a citizen of a visa-exempt country, or is a holder of a U.S. Green Card, that traveller needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada. Exceptions include United States citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa. Your readers can find more information about these changes at Canada.ca/eTA.

Why can’t Canadians, including dual citizens, apply for an eTA? The eTA program is a new entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to or transiting through Canada by air. It was set up to screen these travellers for admissibility to enter Canada. Every Canadian citizen has the right to enter Canada without being subject to the immigration screening that is done under the eTA or the visa application processes. A valid Canadian passport is proof that a person is a Canadian citizen and has the right to enter the country.

An eTA costs CAN$7 and is obtained through Canada.ca/eTA. Travellers should be cautious of other websites that appear legitimate but are charging more than CAN$7 to submit eTA applications. Since the Government of Canada started phasing in the eTA requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals on August 1, 2015, a number of companies have established websites to charge additional fees to provide information and submit eTA applications on behalf of travellers. These companies are not operating on behalf of the Government of Canada.

We remind travellers that individuals flying to Canada with a Pakistani passport require a visa. A visa and an eTA are not the same document. The Government of Canada is aware that some third parties are selling fraudulent eTAs to Pakistani citizens. Travellers are advised that anyone attempting to fly to Canada with a Pakistani passport and an eTA will not be allowed to board the aircraft.

Canadian permanent residents are also not eligible to apply for an eTA. As usual, they will need to present a valid permanent resident cardor permanent resident travel document as well as a valid passport to board their flight to Canada.

We encourage your readers who are planning travel to Canada in the coming weeks and months to consult our websites Canada.ca/eTA and www.pakistan.gc.ca for information on eTAs and visas to help ensure a trouble-free travel experience