In a surprise move that signals Ottawa’s intention to deepen commercial and people-to-people ties with the Gulf, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced on 25 November 2025 that Qatari passport-holders no longer need a temporary resident visa to enter Canada. The change, which took effect at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time, immediately shifts Qatari travellers to the electronic travel authorization (eTA) regime used for most visa-exempt visitors arriving by air.
The decision follows months of bilateral talks that began after Canada and Qatar expanded their air-services agreement in late 2024. Trade between the two countries reached CA $325 million in 2024, and Canadian officials see untapped demand in sectors such as artificial intelligence, clean energy and agribusiness. Removing the visa hurdle is expected to boost visitor flows—roughly 9,000 Qatari tourists visited Canada last year—and to shorten lead times for executives exploring investment or joint-venture opportunities.
![Canada Grants Visa-Free Access to Qatari Citizens]()
From a mobility-management perspective, the policy simplifies short-term business travel: Qatari executives now complete an online eTA form that is usually approved in minutes, avoiding weeks-long visa processing and biometric appointments. Corporations should update internal travel-approval matrices and duty-of-care protocols to reflect the new entry requirement. The move may also influence Gulf-based multinationals to use Canada as a North American hub, especially given the generous intra-company transfer options under the International Mobility Program.
IRCC emphasised that Canada’s security screening remains intact because the eTA platform conducts real-time risk assessments against watch-lists before boarding. Existing Qatari visa holders may continue to use their visas until expiry, but all new travellers must apply for an eTA. Carriers have been advised through an advance “carrier messaging” bulletin to update their check-in systems to prevent boarding disruptions.
Analysts view the announcement as part of a broader strategy to recalibrate Canada’s temporary resident mix. Ottawa’s 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan seeks to curb overall temporary admissions; expanding eTA eligibility for targeted, low-volume markets such as Qatar supports tourism and trade without overwhelming processing capacity. Corporations with Gulf operations should monitor whether other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members—most notably the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia—could be next in line for visa-free status.
The decision follows months of bilateral talks that began after Canada and Qatar expanded their air-services agreement in late 2024. Trade between the two countries reached CA $325 million in 2024, and Canadian officials see untapped demand in sectors such as artificial intelligence, clean energy and agribusiness. Removing the visa hurdle is expected to boost visitor flows—roughly 9,000 Qatari tourists visited Canada last year—and to shorten lead times for executives exploring investment or joint-venture opportunities.
From a mobility-management perspective, the policy simplifies short-term business travel: Qatari executives now complete an online eTA form that is usually approved in minutes, avoiding weeks-long visa processing and biometric appointments. Corporations should update internal travel-approval matrices and duty-of-care protocols to reflect the new entry requirement. The move may also influence Gulf-based multinationals to use Canada as a North American hub, especially given the generous intra-company transfer options under the International Mobility Program.
IRCC emphasised that Canada’s security screening remains intact because the eTA platform conducts real-time risk assessments against watch-lists before boarding. Existing Qatari visa holders may continue to use their visas until expiry, but all new travellers must apply for an eTA. Carriers have been advised through an advance “carrier messaging” bulletin to update their check-in systems to prevent boarding disruptions.
Analysts view the announcement as part of a broader strategy to recalibrate Canada’s temporary resident mix. Ottawa’s 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan seeks to curb overall temporary admissions; expanding eTA eligibility for targeted, low-volume markets such as Qatar supports tourism and trade without overwhelming processing capacity. Corporations with Gulf operations should monitor whether other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members—most notably the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia—could be next in line for visa-free status.
