Nigeria, the most populous African nation, has been excluded from the list of countries to enjoy visa-free travel. by the Canadian authorities.
Meanwhile, two African nations, Morocco and Seychelles, have been added to the list.
Also, visitors from 13 different countries across Asia, Africa, Central and South America will enjoy visa-free travel.
The Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, in statement, said the visa-free travel is extended to Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts-Nevis, Panama, Argentina, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Morocco, Seychelles, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand and the Philippines.
He said: “An expansion of the electronic travel authorization better known as the eTA programs makes it easier for ‘known travellers’ from those countries to come here for fun and business.
“The expansion not only enhances convenience for travellers, it will also increase travel, tourism and economic benefits, as well as strengthen global bonds with these 13 countries.”
“The known travellers from these countries can save a lot of money as a result of the visa exemptions.”
A visitor visa currently costs $100 per person and $500 for a family of five or more, but an eTA only costs seven dollars per person and is valid for as long as five years.
According to the government, introducing visa-free air travel will make it faster, easier, and more affordable for thousands of travellers to visit Canada for up to six months for either business or leisure.
