Most visa-exempt travellers from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon now require electronic travel authorizations to enter Canada by sea, effective 1:00 a.m. EDT on June 5, 2026. The new requirement applies to arrivals by ferry, commercial vessels, and private vessels.
Previously, the eTA requirement applied only to air arrivals and airport transits for visa-exempt nationals. The extension to sea travel from the French overseas collectivity marks the first time Canada has imposed pre-arrival screening for this maritime route, which connects Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to Fortune, Newfoundland and Labrador. Until now, visa-exempt travellers could board a ferry in Saint-Pierre without advance authorization.
The policy targets foreign nationals "attempting to bypass Canada's pre-arrival screening requirements," as reported by CIC News. Four categories remain exempt: passengers arriving by cruise ship, seafarers working on commercial vessels such as fishing boats, U.S. citizens, and U.S. permanent residents. French citizens who are residents of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and travelling directly to Canada also do not need an eTA for this route.
The government press release states the change addresses foreign nationals "attempting to bypass Canada's pre-arrival screening requirements."