DUBAI: Emirati citizens will not need a visa to visit Canada for up to six months starting from June 5, effectively pushing the UAE passport to the 14th rank of the Passport Index’s power ranking, shared with Cyprus.
In addition to Canada, UAE has visa waivers coming in force from Brazil and Guyana resulting in a total visa-free score of 151 – a major step for UAE’s Race to the Very Top with the UAE’s Passport Force Initiative.
The announcement came during a meeting between Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, in Ottawa, said a report in WAM.
Ahmed Hussen said, “The UAE is a key strategic partner and lifting the visa requirement will help reaffirm the strong relationship between our two countries. It will also promote increased tourism, cultural, academic and study exchanges, as well as foster new business, trade, and investment opportunities.”
Starting from June 5, Emirati citizens will no longer need a visa to travel to Canada for short stays (normally for up to six months) for business, to visit family and friends or for tourism.
However, Emirati citizens, similar to other visa-exempt travellers, will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through a Canadian airport. The eTA allows Canadian officials to screen travellers for admissibility before they board their flight to Canada. Emiratis will be able to apply online for an eTA after June 5.
