As of November 25, 2025, citizens of Qatar can travel to Canada without needing a traditional visa. That’s a major change — one that is expected to deepen ties between the two countries and make travel for business or pleasure easier than ever. Canada+2CIC News+2
What Has Changed
- No more visa requirement. Qatari citizens no longer need a visa to enter Canada. Instead, they only need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if travelling by air. CIC News+1
- Immediate effect. The change took effect at 5:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on the day of the announcement. Canada+1
- Who it applies to. Citizens of Qatar who previously needed a visa — or those planning to travel for the first time — now qualify for visa-free entry under the eTA program. Qatari travellers who already hold a valid temporary resident visa may still use it until expiry or until their passport expires. CIC News+1
What is an eTA — and how does it work
- The eTA is a digital travel authorization. Qatari travellers can apply online, usually completing the approval process within minutes. CIC News+1
- To obtain an eTA, you need a valid Qatari passport, a credit or debit card to pay the fee (CAD 7), and an email address. CIC News+1
- Once approved, the eTA is valid for up to five years (or until your passport expires, whichever comes first) and allows multiple entries to Canada. Each stay can be up to six months. Qatar Tribune+2Travel And Tour World+2
- The eTA is electronically linked to your passport, so you don’t need to print anything — just make sure you travel with the same passport used for application. CIC News+1
Why This Change Matters
Canada’s decision to lift visa requirements for Qatari citizens reflects growing cooperation and stronger ties between both countries. Here are some of the key reasons and benefits:
- It makes travel easier — for tourism, visiting family or friends, business trips, or short-term visits. Canada+1
- It supports growing air services and flight connections between Canada and Qatar (following the expansion of their air-transport agreement in 2024). CIC News+2Travel And Tour World+2
- It may boost tourism, trade, cultural exchange, and business opportunities between the two countries — benefiting both Qatari travellers and Canadians. Canada+2Newswire+2
- For travellers: less paperwork, quicker travel plans, and more flexibility (multiple entries, longer eTA validity).
What This Means for Qatari Citizens Wanting to Travel to Canada
If you are a Qatari citizen and you plan to visit Canada soon — here’s what you need to do now:
- Check your passport validity — make sure it’s valid for travel.
- Apply for an eTA online (if you travel by air) — you’ll need passport info, a payment method, and an email. The approval is usually fast.
- If you already have a valid Canadian visa (temporary resident visa) — you can still use it until it expires or until your passport expires.
- Plan your stay carefully — each stay under eTA visa-free entry is typically up to six months.
- Enjoy easier travel — for business, tourism, family visits, or just exploring what Canada has to offer.
For Canadians and Travel/Tourism Industry — What to Expect
- An increase in visitors arriving from Qatar — which could mean more tourism revenue, more business travellers, and stronger multicultural exchange.
- Potential growth in air travel between Canada and Qatar, especially as flight connections have already increased. CIC News+1
- Chances for strengthened economic, educational, and cultural partnerships — with easier mobility supporting stronger people-to-people ties.
Other Visa-Exempt Countries for Canada (Short-Term Visits / eTA Eligible)
Canada already allows citizens of many countries to travel visa-free or with only an eTA for short stays (typically up to six months), depending on how they enter (air vs land/sea). Canada+1
Some examples of visa-exempt or eTA-eligible countries/territories include:
- Much of Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and more. Canada+1
- Several Asian and Oceanian countries: Australia; Japan; Republic of Korea (South Korea); Singapore; Brunei Darussalam; New Zealand. Canada+2Immigration News Canada+2
- Some Americas and Caribbean nations: Bahamas, Barbados, Chile, etc. Canada+1
- In 2023, Canada extended visa-free/eTA eligibility (for air travel) to 13 more countries — for passport holders who meet certain prior visa or U.S.-visa criteria. That group includes e.g. Philippines, Morocco, Panama, Antigua & Barbuda, Thailand, Costa Rica, Uruguay, etc. Canada+2University of Waterloo+2
Note: For some countries added via the 2023 eTA expansion, eligibility depends on conditions such as having held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years, or holding a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa. Canada+1
Final Thought — A Welcome Change for Many
By removing the visa requirement for Qatari citizens, Canada has made a clear statement: it values stronger global connections, easier travel, and dynamic international relationships. For people in Qatar who dreamed of visiting Canada — for business, study, or personal travel — this is a meaningful and positive step.
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Sources & References
- Canada lifts the visa requirement for Qatari citizens — IRCC press release, 25 Nov 2025. Canada
- Qatar joins Canada’s eTA programme, ending visa requirements for Qatari travellers — media coverage. Qatar Tribune+1
- Qatari citizens can now travel to Canada visa-free — CIC News summary. CIC News
- Entry requirements by country — official Canada.ca list of visa-exempt/eTA eligible travellers. Canada
- Previous expansion (2023) adding 13 countries to eTA eligibility — IRCC news release. Canada+2University of Waterloo+2
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