Canada and U.S to Begin Entry Exit Border Control

Canada and U.S to Begin Entry Exit Border Control

April 9, 2019 – Canada has announced a new Entry/Exit Program to collect and share data of travellers entering and leaving the country. The data will be shared with the U.S. as part of the Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness Action Plan, following the passing into law of Bill C 21 in December 2018. Data collection regulations are expected to come into force in June 2019 for overland travellers and June 2020 for travellers by air.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will have access to the data collected by the Canada Border Services Agency to support the administration of the:

• Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
• Citizenship Act.
• Canadian Passport Order.

IRCC will have direct access to the information to:

• Verify residency requirements related to citizenship and permanent residence.
• Check if a temporary residence applicant has previously overstayed in Canada.
• Help investigate if a candidate is entitled to a Canadian travel document.

Further ways the IRCC can use the entry/exit data are to:

• Verify sponsors live in Canada where required by law.
• Verify relationships and conditions for spouses and partners under the family class.
• Verify if a refugee claimant entered Canada using their travel documents.
• Support fraud investigations related to immigration, citizenship, passport and travel document programs.
• Verify residency requirements to check if a medical exam is required.

Entry/exit information will be used to process the following applications:

1) Temporary residence

In relation to:

• Temporary resident visas.
• Temporary resident permits.
• Visitor records.
• Work permits and work permit extensions.
• Study permits and study permit extensions.
• Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTAs).

2) Permanent residence

In relation to:

• PR cards.
• Permanent resident travel documents.
• Overseas refugee applications.
• Family class sponsorship.

Entry and exit data will be used to show periods of time spent in and outside Canada for candidates applying for permanent residence.

For sponsorship applications, entry and exit data can be used to determine if a sponsor is residing in Canada.

Applications for in-Canada asylum can also use entry and exit data to verify a claimant’s information.

3) Citizenship

In relation to:

• Canadian citizenship applications

Exit and entry data will be used to:

• Verify physical presence requirements.
• Assist with verification of other requirements, such as:

•    Flagging potential loss of permanent resident status.
•    The need for applicants to submit foreign police certificates.
•    Misrepresentation.

• Assist citizenship revocation investigations, such as:
• To confirm if a candidate misrepresented residence in Canada to acquire citizenship.

4) Passport

In relation to:

• Passport investigations

Entry and exit data will be used to check an individual’s entitlement to Canadian passport services. The data can be used to verify travel history and check if grounds exist for revocation due to: 

• Passport misuse.
• Passport fraud. 
• Identity fraud.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

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