Canada ETA requirements for Saint Lucian citizens in 2024

If you are planning a trip to Canada and want to see beautiful, majestic scenery, here are some things you need to know:

• Applying for a Canada ETA online: As a Saint Lucian citizen, you do not require a visa to visit Canada. Instead, obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for Canada. Applying for a Canada eTA from Saint Lucia is quick and simple. The application form is completed online, and the accepted travel authorization is attached to your passport, ready for travel.
• Booking your flight: The fastest way to travel to Canada from Saint Lucia is by plane. The most popular flight routes from St. Lucia to Canada are St. Lucia to Toronto and St. Lucia to Halifax. The fastest flight from St Lucia to Canada is from St Lucia to Toronto, with an average flight time of 5h 30m.  The most popular airlines for this route are WestJet, American Airlines, and Delta. 
• Buying travel insurance: When traveling to Canada, you should get travel insurance that covers medical costs, as care in Canada is very expensive.
• What to pack: With so much to do and such variation in weather and climate due to the country’s vast size, it can be hard to know what to pack for Canada. Here are essential things to carry while traveling to Canada including Toiletries, Passport, Mobile Charger, Clothes, visa, Mobile Charger, Medical Kit, Travel insurance and more.
• Get a travel sim: If you get a Canada eSIM, you will have quick and easy access to local services online. Because they operate on a local network, they offer the same unrivaled coverage across Canada. From start to finish, we've got you covered.
• Booking your accommodation: Hotels in Canada can range from cheap to luxury. From sports lodges on British Columbia's coastal islands to elegant 18th-century castles in Quebec, premier destinations and fantastic pricing are available when you visit Canada. The offered facilities might be basic and inexpensive, allowing you to enjoy your dream holiday at a price you can afford. They may also be luxury, such as private hot tubs on mountain chalet balconies, private horseback rides, and zip lines at prairie ranches and spas. The most popular hotels in Canada are Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Fairmont Pacific Rim, The Hazelton Hotel Toronto, Four Seasons Resort, and Residences Whistler.
• Currency exchange: When you travel to Canada, it is best to pay in the local currency in Canadian dollars or CAD. It is widely accepted at hotels, retailers, and local commutes. 

When entering Canada, all overseas travelers must have appropriate identification and a valid visa (if required). A passport is suggested since it is the only trustworthy and widely accepted travel and identity document for international travel.

International transportation firms, such as airlines, must ensure that passengers have suitable and legitimate travel documentation. If you do not have the necessary documentation, you may be detained or denied entrance into Canada. What you need will be determined by your location, mode of transportation, and the papers you are carrying. Consult the admission criteria for each nation.

When you enter Canada, a border services officer will ask for your passport and, if applicable, a valid visa. For additional information on what travel papers are necessary, go to the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website.

Citizens of the United States who are members of the NEXUS program may produce their membership card as evidence of identification and a document indicating citizenship while entering by air (from the United States), land, or marine modes.

Citizens of the United States who participate in the FAST program may use their cards as evidence of identity while arriving by land or sea only.

Permanent residents of the United States who are part of the NEXUS or FAST programs must travel with a passport and evidence of permanent residency, and they may be required to provide these documents to the officer upon arrival at the border.

All tourists coming from or transiting through the United States are invited to visit the Customs and Border Protection website for information on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and the procedures for entering or returning to the United States.

No, most tourists will not be able to enter Canada just by showing their birth certificate. While a birth certificate is one form of proof of citizenship, Canadian border officers ask all visitors to provide proof of citizenship or permanent resident status, as well as identification. A birth certificate merely establishes citizenship.

The following documents are generally accepted at the Canadian border:

• Passport
• Canada ETA 

All travelers must first obtain an electronic travel authorization, or eTA before traveling to Canada. The Canadian government introduced eTA Canada for tourists in 2015. This electronic travel permit is obtained by a simple online application, eliminating the need for in-person applications at an embassy or consulate.

The approved Canadian electronic travel document (eTA) is a travel permit that allows tourists to make multiple trips within a five-year validity period, with a total stay of 180 days per entry.

Travelers are required to complete an eTA application before they board an aircraft heading to Canada, to receive an approved authorization that is digitally linked to their German travel document.

The Canadian eTA is a multiple-entry permit, which implies that Germans can visit Canada as many times as they need as long as the eTA is valid.

This may be especially useful for businesspeople who need to make frequent journeys to Canada, as the eTA is valid for both business and tourism purposes.

If the passport connected to the eTA becomes invalid, the visa waiver will no longer be applicable for future entries. In such circumstances, a new eTA must be applied for with the renewed passport.

No stay in Canada may exceed the maximum time limit, which is usually 180 days.

No, a Canada eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) and a Canadian TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) are not the same, although they both allow temporary entry into Canada. Here's a breakdown of the difference between a Canadian temporary resident visa and an Electronic Travel Authorization. 

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Visa-exempt travelers must get an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before entering Canada by flight. An electronic travel authorization (eTA) is a number that is connected to your passport. 

Who needs an eTA? 

To enter Canada by aviation, citizens of visa-exempt countries may require an eTA.

Citizens of the United States are exempt from the eTA requirement. They must have an appropriate identity and satisfy the minimum conditions to enter Canada. 

eTA Validity 

An eTA can be valid for up to five years, or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you receive a new passport, you must also obtain a new eTA.

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), or Visitor Visa

The Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), also known as a Visitor Visa, is an entrance requirement for visa-required travelers entering Canada via any mode of transportation. The TRV is a counterfoil/sticker that is inserted in your passport to indicate that you fulfill the first entry requirements for Canada. 

Who requires a TRV?

Citizens of visa-required countries require a TRV to enter Canada via air, land, or sea.

US citizens are exempt from the TRV requirement. They must have an appropriate identity and satisfy the minimum conditions to enter Canada.

While in Canada, international students do not need to have a valid TRV. However, it is strongly advised that you always have one valid, especially if you want to leave and re-enter Canada throughout your studies.  

TRV Validity

A TRV is good until the expiration date mentioned on the counterfoil/sticker. If you apply for an initial study permit from outside Canada without a valid travel document, your TRV will have the same expiration date as your study permit.

A TRV and study permit will not be given after the expiration date of your passport. As a result, it is critical to verify that your passport is valid during your studies.

The best time to visit Vancouver is from March to May and September to November when the weather is pleasant and hotel accommodations are reasonably priced. Summer is the most popular season due to the promise of nicer weather; nevertheless, if you're planning a trip, make sure to book your hotel room at least two or three weeks in advance. If you enjoy winter sports, don't let the cold weather dissuade you: this city is an excellent home base for skiers and snowboarders eager to test the powder at Grouse Mountain or neighboring Whistler. Regardless matter when you travel, packing layers is necessary to keep you comfortable. Additionally, ensure that you apply for your visa well in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles and to ensure a smooth trip.