The Government of Canada, as specified in Article 28 of the Headquarters Agreement signed with ICAO, shall issue, on request, diplomatic visas to Representatives of ICAO Member States coming to Canada to participate in ICAO meetings.
In preparation for the 41st Session of the ICAO Assembly (A41), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Canada (IRCC) has issued instructions in the form of an operational bulletin to all its visa offices abroad advising them to expedite the processing of visas for the Assembly participants, including delegates, alternates and advisers, as well as observers.
Canada has already dispensed with the requirement of entrance visas for temporary visitors of a considerable number of States. It should however be noted that visa-exempt visitors travelling to Canada by air will nevertheless require an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
Those delegates for whom visas continue to be required for entry into Canada are invited to take steps to obtain these visas in good time (8 weeks prior to departure) from the nearest Canadian authorities. Please note that it is not possible to obtain entry visas upon arrival in Canada.
In order to facilitate entry formalities upon arrival into Canada, it is suggested that participants carry with them a copy of the document notifying that they are participants at the ICAO Assembly, and that they identify themselves as such to the Canadian authorities.
Concerning travel requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic, all non-resident participants should have access to Canada, whether or not vaccinated with vaccines recognized in Canada, ensuring equal opportunity to attend A41 in-person.
The Government of Canada has accordingly established exemption processes that can be used by participants at A41 who might not meet Canada’s definition of “fully vaccinated”.
In particular, travellers who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or vaccinated with a vaccine not on Canada’s approved list must apply in advance for a National Interest Exemption Letter (NIEL) to board a flight to and/or enter Canada under the current travel restrictions in effect. To request a NIEL, please provide the information listed below at least 3 weeks prior to your intended travel dates to the Delegation of Canada to ICAO at: delcan.oacievenements-candel.icaoevents@tc.gc.ca: proof of valid travel documents (e.g. copy of passport biographical page and visa/eTA); and intended travel dates to Canada.
Detailed information regarding Canadian entry requirements on the occasion of the 41st Session of the ICAO Assembly is communicated in Electronic Bulletin 2022/19 of 20 May 2022 (see below).
| EB 2022/19 | Canadian Entry Requirements for the Participants at the 41st Session of the ICAO Assembly
(Montréal, 27 September – 7 October 2022) | 20/05/2022 |
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Protocols and Conditions for Participants who required a Government of Canada National Interest Exemption (NIE) (icao.int)
