Canada’s expanded electronic travel authorisation (eTA) program has ushered in a wave of ease for several countries, reducing their visa constraints. Among the 13 nations recently added to this list, several hail from the Caribbean.
Jamaica’s absence from the eTA Program
However, Jamaica’s omission from Canada’s program was a focal topic on the ‘Good Morning Minister’ radio program, where Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith, provided insights.
Johnson Smith highlighted discussions with Canada centered around Jamaica’s visa refusal rate.
Why the high refusal rate?
One primary reason cited for the increased refusal rate was the incomplete submission of forms, leading Canadian authorities to perceive a lack of transparency.
Another issue Johnson Smith revealed was the engagement of Jamaicans with unauthorized agents during the Canadian visa application process.
She shared that many Jamaicans believe any travel agent can handle their application. However, the Canadian system specifies a list of authorized agents to be used.
The minister shared that this practice has two-fold repercussions.
“So, when you use an unauthorised agent… not only would you be refused just for that, but you are adding up the statistics for Jamaicans who act outside of the system,” she said.
Overstays and asylum seekers
Johnson Smith also pointed to the number of Jamaicans overstaying their valid visas and those using their visas to subsequently seek asylum on unrelated grounds as reasons for Jamaica’s omission from the list.
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