Canada is all set to lift visa requirements for UAE citizens beginning June 5.
Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Ahmad Hussen made the announcement on Monday, May 27, after a meeting with Sheikh Abdulla bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
“The United Arab Emirates is a key strategic partner and lifting the visa requirement will help reaffirm the strong relationship between our two countries,” Hussen said.
“It will also promote increased tourism, cultural, academic and study exchanges, as well as foster new business, trade, and investment opportunities,” he added.
The announcement comes on the heels of a comprehensive review of UAE visa criteria alongside that of Canada. The assessment revealed that the UAE passed and met Canada’s criteria for visa exemption.
Starting June 5, Emiratis traveling to Canada for short vacations and business trips, or stays that usually last up to six months, will no longer be required to present visas.
Like all visa-exempt travelers, UAE citizens will be required to show an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). They can apply for the eTA online beginning 5:30 a.m. ET (1:30 p.m. Gulf Standard Time) on June 5.
For Emiratis coming to study or work temporarily in Canada, they will still need to apply for a study or work permit despite the lifting of visa requirements.
PHOTO CREDIT: WAM
