Canada “values its growing relationship” with Morocco, said the Canadian Ministry of Immigration, noting the positive effect of simplified travel procedures on human, cultural and commercial exchanges between the two countries.
Canada is “pleased” to announce the addition of Morocco to the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) program, the ministry said in a statement to MAP.
This decision is likely to “facilitate travel, tourism and international business activities between our countries, as well as strengthen interpersonal and cultural ties,” the same source added.
“There is a well-established Moroccan diaspora in Canada, and we recognize the importance of broadening and simplifying access to travel between our countries,” said the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
On Tuesday, Canada announced the addition of 13 countries, including Morocco, to its AVE program. Moroccan citizens who have obtained a Canadian visa in the last 10 years, or who currently hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa, can now apply for an AVE, instead of a visa, when traveling to Canada by air.
The introduction of visa-free air travel will enable thousands of travelers from Morocco to visit Canada more quickly, easily and affordably for up to six months, whether for business or leisure, the ministry noted.
“This decision complements our existing mobility measures for Morocco, such as the Direct Stream for Studies, which offers expedited processing of study permit applications for those applying to study in Canada,” the ministry recalled.
Over the past 10 years, Canada has issued 110,257 temporary resident visas to Moroccan citizens, the same source noted, adding that these people, as well as current holders of US non-immigrant visas, can now be authorized to travel without a visa.
“By allowing more visitors to apply for an AVE instead of a visa will divert thousands of applications from Canada’s visa workload, we will be able to process visa applications more efficiently, thus benefiting all visa applicants,” the ministry stressed.
The AVE is an electronic travel document that most visa-exempt travelers need to come to Canada or transit the North American country by air.
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