In a move that further internationalises Canada’s low-friction Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) programme, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has quietly expanded the list of eligible countries to include Qatar, effective 26 November 2025. Qatari nationals can now board a flight to Canada by completing a short online application that costs just C$7 and is normally approved within minutes. Once issued, the eTA remains valid for five years—or until the traveller’s passport expires—allowing multiple short stays of up to six months at a time.
The decision is part of Ottawa’s broader strategy to deepen ties with fast-growing Gulf economies. Bilateral trade with Qatar topped C$800 million in 2024, and Canadian engineering, energy-services and education firms have expanded their footprint in Doha in the lead-up to the 2030 Asian Games. Removing the visa barrier is expected to bolster two-way business travel, spur Qatari investment in Canadian real estate and technology start-ups, and entice more leisure visitors to cities such as Vancouver and Québec City.
![Canada adds Qatar to its eTA list, granting Qatari citizens visa-free entry for five years]()
For Canadian companies, the change means Gulf-based executives and technicians can now reach project sites on very short notice—critical in sectors like LNG, aviation and smart-city infrastructure where Qatar is investing heavily. Travel managers should update invitation-letter templates and traveller profiles to reflect the new eTA requirement, and airlines must ensure that check-in systems recognise Qatar as visa-exempt.
IRCC’s announcement also signals that the government remains committed to expanding the eTA model despite recent consultations on adding a biometric layer for higher-risk nationalities. Sources inside the department say additional Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members could be considered in 2026 if security metrics remain favourable.
Practical tip: although an eTA is much simpler than a visa, travellers should still carry proof of onward travel and be prepared to satisfy border officers that their visit is temporary. Those planning to study or work still need the appropriate permit.
The decision is part of Ottawa’s broader strategy to deepen ties with fast-growing Gulf economies. Bilateral trade with Qatar topped C$800 million in 2024, and Canadian engineering, energy-services and education firms have expanded their footprint in Doha in the lead-up to the 2030 Asian Games. Removing the visa barrier is expected to bolster two-way business travel, spur Qatari investment in Canadian real estate and technology start-ups, and entice more leisure visitors to cities such as Vancouver and Québec City.
For Canadian companies, the change means Gulf-based executives and technicians can now reach project sites on very short notice—critical in sectors like LNG, aviation and smart-city infrastructure where Qatar is investing heavily. Travel managers should update invitation-letter templates and traveller profiles to reflect the new eTA requirement, and airlines must ensure that check-in systems recognise Qatar as visa-exempt.
IRCC’s announcement also signals that the government remains committed to expanding the eTA model despite recent consultations on adding a biometric layer for higher-risk nationalities. Sources inside the department say additional Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members could be considered in 2026 if security metrics remain favourable.
Practical tip: although an eTA is much simpler than a visa, travellers should still carry proof of onward travel and be prepared to satisfy border officers that their visit is temporary. Those planning to study or work still need the appropriate permit.
