Canada travel checklist for Hungarians

Canada is the second-largest nation in the world. As such, it is a haven for tourism with plenty of attractions and destinations for visitors to explore. This is evidenced by the volume of foreign tourists who visit the country on an annual basis. In 2018, Canada experienced a record-breaking 21 million tourist visits. The international arrivals showed significant growth in comparison to data from the past few years. 

Before you go to Canada, you may be wondering about Canada’s visa requirements. Canada has an electronic travel authorization called eTA, which can be applied for and received online, making the process quicker and smoother without having to go to the embassy for an interview as you would with a regular visa.  The type of visa you will need depends on your nationality, the purpose of your stay, and the duration of your stay, so we recommend that you check in advance.

When you travel to Canada, you have a variety of accommodation options to choose from. But if you want a unique place to stay aside from hotels then you can check out North York condos.

For Hungarian citizens who wish to visit Canada, you need to comply with certain requirements in order to be permitted entry to the country.

eTA to Canada

The eTA is one of the documents required by the Canadian government for those who wish to visit their country. The acronym eTA stands for Electronic Travel Authorization. This is a basic entry requirement for all foreign tourists to enter Canada, even those with a visa exemption, as long as the travel is by air.

The eTA is an electronically produced document that is linked to the passport information of a given traveler.

It is valid for up to five years or until the expiration of said passport (whichever is sooner). Whenever you get a new passport, you need to apply for a new eTA to Canada.

Even when you have been issued the eTA, you are not guaranteed entry to Canada just yet. There will be immigration officers and border services that will inspect your documents. This will include your passport and your eTA, or any other documents requested of you upon arrival. In some cases, foreign tourists will be asked a series of questions about their impending visit to Canada. 

The eTA program was approved in 2012. But it took the Canadian government four years to implement this program so that it would tie in with their existing database and security data for immigration. They wanted to make sure that it will serve as a seamless new tool for screening foreign tourists. 

eTA for Hungarians Traveling to Canada

Visa-free travel has been imposed on a few countries, including citizens from Hungary.

This means that Hungarian citizens will no longer have to secure a visa in order to gain entry to Canada.

But the Canadian government has imposed the eTA as the condition for the visa-free travel. Hungarian citizens who are unable to secure this document will be barred from entering the country. This is also true for other citizens from the European Union. 

Hungary is one of the launching members of the eTA program, which means citizens of this country are valid to apply for it. This document is only valid for air travel. It is also recommended for short tourist trips, business travels, and transit travels to Canada. The applicant of the eTA must be at least 18 years old. Any applicants below the required age should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The eTa to Canada is a requirement for Hungarian citizens. (Image Source: Nomad Capitalist)

The eTA is provided to Hungarian citizens for a short-term stay in Canada (no more than 90 days). Since it was introduced in 2016, it has enabled Canadian immigration to screen travelers from various parts of the world, including Hungary. This was in response to the global threat of terrorism. 

If you are a Hungarian citizen who wishes to stay in Canada for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a different type of visa.

You need to complete your eTA at least 72 hours prior to arriving in the country. The main requirement to qualify for this travel document is that you must be a full Hungarian citizen. If you are a refugee or have a different status on your passport, you must apply for the full Canadian visitor visa (which has a more stringent approval process).

Applying for the eTA

Given that the eTA is a valid requirement for those who wish to travel to Canada, it is important that Hungarian citizens know the process of application. The first step is to visit the official Government of Canada website. 

Once you are on the website, look for the button that will redirect you to the eTA application form online. Make sure you complete the form and supply all the needed information. If you can provide all the required data, you will have a higher chance of getting approved quickly. You will also be asked to provide your passport, email address, and credit or debit card details. There are also a few questionnaires that you need to complete. Pay extra attention to the passport number or any information relating to your passport. The passport number is linked to your eTA approval email. The info contained in that approval email must be consistent with your passport, or it would be invalid.

The entire application process is so easy and efficient that you may complete it within a few minutes. In some cases, the eTA approval is also determined within minutes via email. But this can vary as some applications can take days to process for approval. The main reason why it can take longer can be because the Canadian embassy asks you to provide additional supporting documents. 

It is, however, recommended that you secure your eTA prior to booking a flight to Canada. The cost of the eTA is $7. You need to apply for the eTA for one person at a time. 

Who Else Needs to Apply for the eTA?

Foreign tourists who are required to secure the eTA as part of the travel requirements to Canada are divided into a few basic types. The first ones are the foreign nationals who have visa exemption to the country. You need the eTA in order to fly or transit through the airport in Canada. You do not need to secure this document if you are arriving by bus, car, or cruise ship.

The second type of travellers that are required to obtain this document are those who are citizens of visa-required countries. Instead of applying for a visa, you can obtain the eTA in order to be allowed to travel to Canada. If you are arriving by cruise ship, bus, or car, you need to obtain a visitor’s visa.

There are some exceptions for obtaining an eTA to travel to Canada. US citizens, in particular, are exempt from obtaining this travel document as long as they present a valid passport and proper identification. 

Why Travel to Canada? 

Despite the stricter rules imposed by the Canadian government on foreign tourist travel, it remains a popular destination. It is home to a wide range of natural attractions like Banff National Park, Moraine Lake, and Emerald Lake.

You can also explore a few notable tourist landmarks such as the CN Tower in Toronto, the Butchart Gardens, and the awe-inspiring Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac.