Canada tightens entry requirements for sea arrival from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon
Most visa-exempt travellers from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon now require electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) to enter Canada by sea.
The new entry requirement applies equally to those arriving by ferry, commercial vessels, and private vessels.
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The following individuals are exempt from the new eTA requirement:
- Passengers arriving by cruise ship.
- Seafarers working on commercial vessels (e.g., fishing boats).
- U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents.
- French citizens who are residents of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and are travelling directly to Canada.
According to the government press release, the new policy was put in place in response to foreign nationals “attempting to bypass Canada’s pre-arrival screening requirements by travelling by boat between Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and Fortune, Newfoundland and Labrador.”
The change was put in place at 1:00 a.m. EDT, on June 5, 2026.
There are no changes for travellers from visa-required countries.
Typically, eTAs are required by foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries arriving in Canada by air, and/or transiting within a Canadian airport.
Foreign nationals apply for eTAs online. Once issued, typically within a few minutes, an eTA is linked to the traveller’s passport, and remains valid for up to five years.
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