VISA LETTERS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

VITAL INFORMATION ABOUT ENTERING CANADA AND OBTAINING VISAS

Prior to traveling to Canada for GHS2018 please review Citizenship and Immigration Canada's List of Countries Requiring a Visa for Entry to clarify your Visa requirements. The Congress Organizers recommend that if required, you apply for a visa as soon as your attendance is confirmed, as visa requests can often take months to process.

**IMPORTANT**

Starting 15 March, 2016, citizens from countries other than the United States who do not need a visa to enter Canada will need to obtain an ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (eTA) before flying to or transiting through Canada.

The eTA process is similar to that of the United States ESTA: travelers apply individually online here. Each individual must pay CAD $7 by Visa, Mastercard or American Express, and their eTA is valid for 5 years. Travel agents can apply for their clients, but they cannot charge a fee for this service.

For more information about this new requirement, visit the eTA page for videos and fact sheets in multiple language.

+ VISA INFORMATION - ***NEW Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

**NEW** Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Canada has introduced a new entry requirement, known as an eTA, for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. As of March 15, 2016, this entry requirement will become mandatory and travellers will need an eTA before they can board a flight to Canada. Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid visa. Entry requirements for other methods of travel (land, sea) have not changed.

To find out if you need an eTA and to apply, please visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/

Please note there are many countries where visas for Canada are required, so check Canada’s List of Countries Requiring a Visa for Entry to clarify your Visa requirements online at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

For average visa processing times please visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/

For additional information on what is required to visit Canada, please visit the following website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp

For official instructions on visiting Canada and applying for a visa, please visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp

  

+ VISA INFORMATION - Helpful Hints about the VISA process:

Helpful Hints about the visa process:

  • Application for a visa can be made only 9 months in advance of the date of entry this means that if you intend being in Toronto for June, 14 2018 the earliest date for a visa application is September 14, 2017
  • Preparations can begin at least one year in advance from June 2017
  • United States Visa Requirements: If your flight includes a stopover in the United States, you may require an additional visa in order to enter the US. Check before flight booking
  • Review the US Department of State website for countries requiring an entry visa: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html
 

+ VISA INFORMATION - Invitation Letters

The GHS2018 Congress Secretariat would be pleased to provide letters of invitation to Delegates registered for the GHS2018 Congress to assist in their visa applications for travel to Canada. In order to be issued an invitation letter, the participant must be register and fully pay the registration fee for the Congress.

For registration, please click the Registration link. Please note that while the letter will be an official invitation, applicants are responsible for all costs of attending the Congress. Application for a visa must be made by the person to whom this letter is addressed, and directly to the appropriate Canadian Embassy/High Commission. The Congress Secretariat will not apply for a visa on your behalf. For details, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website www.cic.gc.ca.