DUAL CITIZENSHIP HOLDERS MUST HAVE VALID CANADIAN PASSPORT

19 AUG 2016:Travel Industry Today

Effective September 30, Canadian citizens with dual citizenships will only be allowed to fly into the country if they have a valid Canadian passport.  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada spokesperson Lindsay Wemp said that is the only acceptable travel document for the purpose of air travel.

“What is changing is that the Government of Canada is implementing a new electronic system to assist airlines in verifying that all travellers have the appropriate documents to travel to or transit through Canada by air,” she said.

“Air carriers are obligated by law to confirm that all persons seeking to travel to Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid Canadian passport satisfies these requirements for Canadian citizens, and is the only acceptable travel document for the purpose of air travel.”

Presently, Canadian citizens with dual citizenships can use the passport of the other country to enter Canada by air if they can provide proofs of residency in Canada, such as a driver’s license and Canadian citizenship card.

Last year Ottawa introduced the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) an entry requirement for all visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada. US citizens are exempt.

However starting September 30 dual citizens may no longer use the passport of the other country to return to Canada.

A handout has been distributed at airports of entry, along with a media and social-media blitz via Canadian overseas missions since March of this year.

Global Affairs Canada officials have also notified registered Canadian citizens abroad of the upcoming change by email and through their websites.