What the Canada Digital Visa Pilot Includes
The Canada digital visa pilot currently involves a small group of pre-approved Moroccan visitors. These travellers will receive both a digital visa and the traditional physical visa sticker. IRCC designed the dual setup to compare system performance and ensure compatibility with airline and border-control procedures.
For official details, visit IRCC’s announcement here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/testing-digital-visas.html
Why IRCC Introduced the Digital Visa Pilot
IRCC created the digital visa test to reduce delays and modernize travel documentation. A digital visa can offer several advantages:
Faster processing without mailing passports
More secure data handling that follows Canadian and international standards
Reduced administrative steps for travellers and officers
Easier verification for airlines and border systems
What Stays the Same During the Pilot
Even with the new digital format, applicants must still meet existing requirements. Biometrics, background checks, and admissibility rules continue to apply. The pilot only supports testing; it does not replace the physical visa counterfoil yet. Travellers outside the selected group must continue the standard process.
What This Pilot Means for Future Applicants
If the Canada digital visa pilot succeeds, IRCC may expand digital visas to more countries and visa categories. Over time, travellers may experience smoother processing, fewer document-handling steps, and a more efficient entry process into Canada.
For now, digital visas remain available only to selected participants, but they signal Canada’s move toward a fully modernized immigration system.