Visa requirements on Romania and Bulgaria lifted

Citizens of Romania and Bulgaria no longer need a visa to travel to Canada for short stays (normally for up to six months) for business, to visit family and friends, or for tourism.

“Canada values its strong ties with Romania, Bulgaria and the EU, and we are pleased to be able to extend visa-free travel to citizens of all EU member states. Making it easier for Romanians and Bulgarians to come to Canada will encourage more travel and trade, which in turn, will create new business, trade and investment opportunities for Canadians and Europeans alike,” said  Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

However, similar to other visa-exempt travellers, they will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport. An eTA allows officials to screen travellers for potential inadmissibility before they board their flight to Canada.

The decision to lift the visa requirements is a culmination of high-level engagement with Romania and Bulgaria on visa issues that began in 2014. It demonstrates the importance the Government of Canada places on its relationship with both countries, and the EU more broadly.