Immigration Corner | Do green card holders need a visa?

Dear Miss Powell

I have a USA green card and I travel back and forth between the USA and Jamaica. May daughter, who is eight years old, is also a green card holder. Do we need a Canadian Visa to travel to Canada? Or can we just travel using our green cards? My aunt in Canada is ill and I’m the only relative she has, so I’m planning to visit her and help her out for a while. Do I need to apply for a visitor’s visa?

AW

Dear AW,

There was a time when individuals who were USA permanent residents were authorised to travel to Canada using only their USA permanent resident card/ green card. This was changed recently since the Government of Canada has introduced a new entry requirement known as an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). Now citizens and permanent residents of all visa exempt countries who are travelling to or transiting through Canada, must submit an online application to receive an electronic travel authorisation from the government of Canada. This requirement is not applicable to individuals with a USA passport. It is applicable to green card holders.

How to apply

You should only apply for an eTA with the help of a Canadian authorised immigration lawyer or submit an application personally via the official Government of Canada website.

You will be required to submit information such as your passport number, full name, country of residence, your green card number, expiry date, occupation, employment details, and address. You must have a valid email address to receive the authorisation. Most applicants get their eTA approval via an email within minutes. However, in some cases, applications can take some time to process if there is the need to provide supporting documents. It is therefore recommended that you apply for your eTa at least two weeks before your travel date.

The current fee for an eTA is CAD$7, which is payable via debit or credit card. You can only apply and pay for one person at a time. So if you are applying for your daughter, you will need to submit a separate application and state that you are applying on behalf a minor.

Caution

Individuals who wish to enter Canada from a visa exempt-country must bear in mind that an eTA is an entry requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada via air. Once approved, an eTA is electronically linked to your passport and valid up to five years. Therefore if your passport or eTa expires a new one is required. In other words, if you get a new passport, you will need to get a new eTA.

An eTa authorises you to travel to Canada at any point for a short period of time. Usually up to six months. You must, however, note departure date that is provided upon entry into Canada. If none is stamped, you must depart before the six months granted. If you need to stay longer, you must submit an application for extension of time before the expiry date. If you fail to adhere to these immigration rules, you could run the risk of being refused entry on your next visit.

You should also note that an eTA doesn’t guarantee entry to Canada. Upon your arrival at the airport in Canada, a border service officer/immigration officer will examine your records and supporting documents, including your USA green card to decide whether or not you should be admitted into Canada. Therefore, you should be prepared to bring documents to substantiate the reason for your visit such as an invitation, documents to show where you will be staying and the length of time you will be staying in Canada. You should also have a return ticket.

Be prepared to convince the officer that you are eligible to enter Canada; that you will not breach the laws of Canada and will not be a threat to Canadians or individuals in Canada.

If you apply for an eTA and your application is refused or you are refused entry into Canada at the airport, I recommend that you consult with an immigration lawyer to assist you with obtaining an authorisation to return to Canada.

Deidre S. Powell is a lawyer, mediator, and notary public who is a member of the Jamaican and Ontario, Canada bars. Send your questions to: info@deidrepowell.com. Subject: Immigration. Find her on Twitter: deidrespowell and Facebook: jamaicanlawyer. Call 613.695.8777