Tigger1

Apparently there is a new rule starting on Sept 30th that Canadian Citizens must use their Canadian passports when travelling by air back to Canada.

Does anyone know if that applies to someone coming as a tourist? My sister has dual nationality but lives in the UK and is coming for a visit next summer. Is she going to have to renew her Canadian passport?

http://https://www.thestar.com/news/...-surprise.html

MarkG

This has been expected of Canadian citizens since the ETA thing started, hasn't it?

not2old

from the government website

Travel documents for dual Canadian citizens flying to Canada

"What this change means for dual Canadian citizens

If you are a Canadian citizen and a citizen of a visa-exempt country (dual Canadian citizen) who currently uses your non-Canadian passport to fly to Canada, you cannot apply for an eTA. This is because eTA was set up to screen foreigners for admissibility to enter Canada on a temporary basis.

Every Canadian citizen has the right to enter Canada and is not subject to immigration screening. Travelling with a valid Canadian passport proves that you are a citizen."
.

neill

Yes.

MarylandNed

Yes, she will need a Canadian passport. As a Canadian citizen, she will not be able to get an eTA for her British passport.

I think the only Canadians who can get out of this (apart from those with Canadian passports of course) are those with US passports since US passport holders are exempt from the eTA requirements.

Tigger1

Thanks, I'll let her know!

MarylandNed

Also make sure she has Canadian passports for any children who hold Canadian citizenship. She may have passed this on by descent if they were born in the UK.

Tigger1

No kids so we're OK :-)

I am curious though as to how they would know she was a Canadian Citizen given she doesn't live here? I'm not suggesting she try to cheat the system or anything, more just wondering how CIC would know given she was born in the UK?

MarylandNed

It's one of the questions asked when applying for an eTA.

Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

They ask if you hold any other citizenships apart from the passport you are travelling on.

Tigger1

That's what I thought when I looked at the application. Thanks for the clarification! Luckily she's not coming until next year so plenty of time to renew her passport.

MarylandNed

The above link doesn't work. Here's the correct link:

https://www.thestar.com/news/immigra...-surprise.html

MarylandNed

Expected maybe but not enforced. It will be enforced starting Sep 30th.