Dual Citizens Need Canada Passports from 10th November, 2016

Canada, 5^th October: Dual citizens need Canada passports from 10^th November, 2016.

Yes, that is quite true.

Dual citizens need Canada passports from 10^th November, 2016—Dual citizens need Canada passports from 10^th November, 2016. Yes, that is quite true. Dual citizens holding Canada citizens and some other foreign citizenship will require Canada passport at entry into Canada. This is for those travelling by air.

“ Dual citizens will require Canada passports from 10^th November, 2016. “

Canada passport requirement comes from eTA program—As per the details, eTA(Electronic Travel Authorization) program was launched in 2015. Canada government had announced a leniency period earlier. This led to delay of implementation of eTA program. The leniency was set to become expired on 1^st October, 2016. However, its now extended until 8^th November, 2016.

What is eTA program?—Well, the eTA program happens to be an air-travel screening program. It is for citizens hailing from visa-exempt nations. Citizens of such nations can travel to Canada without getting a Canada Temporary Resident Visa.

This program is almost similar to ESTA(Electronic System for Travel Authorization) program. ESTA is used by the US for a similar purpose. Foreigners wanting to enter the US under the Visa Waiver Program need to get authorization under ESTA. Meanwhile, the eTA condition is applicable to foreigners wanting to travel to Canada by air.

eTA system cannot be used by Canada citizens—It needs to be notable that the eTA system is not meant to be used by Canada citizens. Canadian citizens cannot rely on visa-exemption enjoyed to citizens of other nation.

Exceptions to new requirement—

• Dual Canada-US citizens shall be exempted from requirement of Canada passport. That’s due to the fact that US citizens are exempt from the eTA requirement.
• Canada passport requirement is applicable only to dual citizens travelling to Canada by air. Canadian-UK dual citizens can still fly to Buffalo, New York and drive across land border into Canada using UK passport.

If any of the exceptions are not applicable, then a valid proof of Canada citizens will be required by Canada dual citizen if they want to travel to Canada by air on/after 10^th November, 2016.

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Harleen Kaur

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