UAE citizens travelling to Canada will be eligible for visa on arrival starting in June, a report said.

The announcement came during a meeting between Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Canada's Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, in Ottawa, said a report in WAM.

Ahmed Hussen said, "The UAE is a key strategic partner and lifting the visa requirement will help reaffirm the strong relationship between our two countries. It will also promote increased tourism, cultural, academic and study exchanges, as well as foster new business, trade, and investment opportunities."

Starting at 5:30 am ET (1:30 pm Gulf Standard Time) on June 5, Emirati citizens will no longer need a visa to travel to Canada for short stays (normally for up to six months) for business, to visit family and friends or for tourism.

However, Emirati citizens, similar to other visa-exempt travellers, will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through a Canadian airport. The eTA allows Canadian officials to screen travellers for admissibility before they board their flight to Canada. Emiratis will be able to apply online for an eTA after 5:30 am ET (1:30 p.m. Gulf Standard Time) on June 5.

In the meantime, citizens are advised to continue with online applications for a visitor visa, or use the services of one of the visa application centres (VACs), including the VAC in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, the report said.