engen territory, like France or Portugal. Similarly, any EU passport holder can travel and reside in Poland.
However, after the European community was the target of various terrorist attacks in 2015 and 2016, both Poland and other EU countries decided to restructure their immigration system. One of the measures discussed by the European Commission was the implementation of an online travel application to screening travellers prior to their arrival in European territory. The EU named the new system ETIAS and plans to introduce it in all Schengen countries as of 2021.
Although the ETIAS will not affect citizens of the European Union, Canadians and other visa-free nationals will have to bear a valid ETIAS authorization before departing for Europe. The process for acquiring an ETIAS will consist of filling out an online form with personal and travel information and paying the ETIAS processing fee.
The Canadian Embassy of Warsaw represents Canada in Poland while the Embassy of Poland in Ottawa is responsible for Polish affairs in Canada.
The relationship between Poland and Canada has deep historical roots which are represented by a large community of Polish descendants living in Canada.
This bond extends to the Canada-Poland trade relations, with Poland being the largest partner of Canada in Eastern Europe. After the CETA was signed by Canada and the European Union, commercial relations between Poland and Canada increased.
Besides being close NATO allies, the fact that Poland is a member of the EU strengthens the international relations between both countries. In addition, the two nations cooperate in global institutions like the UN, the OSCE and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
The Polish and Canadian governments have established a serious of youth mobility programs where young Canadians or Polish citizens are allowed to work and travel in the other country for up to 12 months. Polish passport holders who wish to visit Canada for short-term business or tourist trips need to apply for an eTA. Meanwhile, Canadian nationals enjoy a visa-waiver agreement with Poland and all other Schengen Member States, which allows them to travel in Europe for up to 90 days in every 180-day period.
However, beginning in 2021 the Polish government plans to create a new immigration system – similar to the Canadian eTA – called ETIAS. The ETIAS will an online procedure in which Canadians should provide information about their personal background and travel plans. After submitting the application and paying the processing fee, Canadian applicants can expect to have the response delivered to their email within 72 hours.