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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Travel devider Is Canada truly visa-free for Filipinos?

Is Canada truly visa-free for Filipinos?

Not exactly, but here's what you need to know

Published Jan 8, 2026 08:51 am
Recent news of Canada going "visa-free" for Filipinos has been spreading online, but the reality is that this only applies to a certain portion of Filipino travelers.
To qualify for a visa-free entry from the Philippines, the traveler must meet the following criteria:
- Must have held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or a current non-immigrant visa for the US.
- Must have a valid passport.
- Must be traveling via air. 
These guidelines put up by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) were released as part of Canada's hopes to ease the travel process. It allows individuals to stay in Canada for up to six months without obtaining a separate visa. Alongside the Philippines, 12 other countries are included in the expanded list of visa-free entry. These include Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.
How to gain visa-free entry
To avail of visa-free entry, travelers can apply via the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). This waives having to fork over the CAD $100 (₱4,275) visitor fee. Instead, eligible travelers will only need to pay the CAD $7 (₱300) fee. Approval only takes a few minutes and can be valid for up to five years or until your passport expires. If you meet the criteria, simply visit the Government of Canada's official web page to apply for eTA. Ensure you have a valid passport and a credit or debit card to pay the fee. Standard Canadian entry requirements also apply. These mean having proof you have sufficient funds for the visit, showing an intent to leave Canada before the authorized stay ends, and not posing a security or health risk. 

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