Do I need a visa for Canada now?

Have a travel question that needs answering? Ask our expert Simon Calder

Passport control could become trickier in Canada with the country’s new visa rules (Getty)

Q Can you tell me what the current situation is with visas for Canada?

Name withheld

A It’s a muddle. A year ago, the government in Ottawa devised a scheme that mirrors the US Esta programme, though with less onerous demands for information, and validity of five years, not two. The idea is: “Visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA).” That includes most British citizens travelling to Canada.

However, as with the early days of the Esta, the Canadian system hit serious teething problems. A number of prospective British visitors said their applications have been inexplicably delayed or rejected. As a result of the system’s shortcomings, the insistence on an eTA was deferred for six months. It is now due to become compulsory on 29 September 2016. Until then, says the Government, “Travellers who do not have an eTA can board their flight, as long as they have appropriate travel documents, such as a valid passport.”

For travels up to that date, I have been urging people not to apply for an eTA, because the system has been rejecting innocent travellers seemingly randomly. If you don’t apply, you can’t be declined. But for anyone heading to Canada from 29 September onwards, eTAs are required. See here for more information.

Every day, our travel correspondent, Simon Calder, tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder