From next year visitors to Canada who don’t require a visa will have to undergo US-style pre-clearance checks under rules agreed several years ago by Ottawa and Washington lawmakers.
Travelers arriving by air will pay $7 and receive an ‘electronic travel authorization ‘(eTA) which will be valid for five years, prior to boarding a flight to Canada.
The Canadian government yesterday announced it will come into force from March 2016.
"These amendments will enable Canada to adopt a strengthened methodology in order to better identify high-risk travellers, such as persons known to be foreign fighters, and prevent them from travelling to Canada," a federal government statement said.
"Visa-exempt foreign nationals are not systematically screened for admissibility until they arrive at a Canadian port of entry," a government official said.
US travelers are exempt from the pre screening, as are other arrivals, such as transit passengers, on duty flight crews and members of the British Royal family.
The government conceded the measures may impact inbound tourism in the short term.
Rob Taylor, vice-president of public and industry affairs at the Tourism Industry Association of Canada has called for the new travel authorization to be as simple as possible for visitors to obtain ahead of a visit.
"The international marketplace for international travelers is extremely competitive," he said.
Visitors will need to supply biographical details in advance for authorities to check if they present a ‘threat to the health, safety or security of Canada.’
