Roberta Aguirre
Border control officials often place stamps in passports as part of their immigration control or customs procedures. However, several countries are moving towards electronic tracking of entries and exits, which has resulted in the discontinuation of passport stamps. In the case of Canada, there have been reports of Canadian border control not stamping U.S. passports, leading to questions about whether this is standard operating procedure. While there is no definitive answer, some sources suggest that the liberal travel agreements between the two countries may contribute to the lack of passport stamps. Additionally, with the shift to electronic tracking, it is likely that the practice of manually stamping passports will eventually be phased out at all Canadian entry points.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does Canada still stamp American passports at the airport? | It depends. Some sources suggest that Canadian and US passports are not stamped. However, others state that while it is not common, American passports may be stamped at Canadian airports upon request or during a "grilling" by customs officers. |
| Reasoning | The move towards electronic tracking of entry and exit into Canada, such as the I-94 record in the US, has reduced the need for passport stamps. Additionally, the frequency of American visitors to Canada may also contribute to the lack of passport stamps. |
| Impact | The absence of a Canadian entry stamp on an American passport may raise questions during security clearance renewals. However, this can be addressed by providing alternative forms of evidence, such as travel confirmations and credit card statements. |
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What You'll Learn
Electronic tracking of entry and exit
As per the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, officers will stamp entry dates on passports when individuals arrive in Canada. However, several sources indicate that this practice has stopped at many Canadian entry points, including Vancouver Airport, where travellers have reported not receiving passport stamps as of 2018. This shift away from manual stamping of passports is part of IRCC's move towards electronic tracking of entry and exit into Canada.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) collects and maintains Travel History Reports, which include entry and exit information for all travellers, including Canadian and American citizens. These reports can be requested directly from the CBSA and have a retention period of 15 years. As of July 11, 2019, the CBSA collects exit information on all travellers in the land and commercial air modes, further contributing to the electronic tracking of entry and exit.
The shift to electronic tracking is also evident in the Mobile Passport Control application available at Canada's eight largest airports. This application allows travellers to submit their information digitally to US Customs Border Control, expediting their clearance process. Additionally, the Verified Traveller Program available at six Canadian airports offers an expedited screening process for Nexus holders and travellers with security clearance, further streamlining travel while still effectively tracking entry and exit.
While the practice of passport stamping may not have been completely abolished, it is clear that electronic tracking of entry and exit is becoming increasingly prevalent in Canadian airports. This shift aligns with the broader trend of digitisation in the travel industry and provides travellers with more efficient and convenient ways to manage their travel documentation. It also ensures that investigators and relevant authorities have access to accurate and up-to-date entry and exit information for travellers, as evidenced by the ability to track and verify travel history during security clearance renewals.
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Passport books filling up too quickly
However, with the increasing digitisation of travel documentation, the issue of passport books filling up is becoming less common. Many countries, including the US, are moving towards electronic tracking of entry and exit, creating an online, electronic entry record called an I-94 record to record travellers' entries into the country. This is the only official record of entry to the US, and travellers are advised to check and save a screenshot of their I-94 record each time they enter.
Canada, for example, has also been moving towards electronic tracking of entry and exit. While the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website indicates that officers will stamp entry dates on passports, this practice has stopped at some ports of entry and is expected to be discontinued at all ports of entry in the future. As a result, travellers entering Canada by car, bus, or rail may not receive a stamp in their passport. Similarly, those entering with a US passport may not receive a stamp, as there are alternative documents, such as a NEXUS card, passport card, EDL, or birth certificate, that can be used for identification and cannot be stamped.
Therefore, while the issue of passport books filling up too quickly has been a concern in the past, the increasing adoption of electronic entry records and alternative forms of identification is reducing the frequency of this issue.
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Travel records and paperwork
In the case of Canada, there have been reports of Canadian border control not stamping US passports upon entry. This has raised questions among travellers, especially those who need to reconcile their travel records with paperwork for security clearance. While the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website mentions passport stamping, travellers have observed that this practice has stopped at many Canadian entry points, including Vancouver Airport. This shift towards electronic tracking of entry and exit records has resulted in the discontinuation of manual passport stamping.
It is important to note that travellers can still request a passport stamp, especially if it serves as evidence of travel for specific purposes like medical coverage or travel insurance. However, the frequency of travel between the US and Canada, and the adoption of electronic records, may contribute to the absence of passport stamps in some cases. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) now creates an online, electronic entry record called the I-94 record, which serves as the official evidence of entry into the US.
To ensure comprehensive travel records, it is recommended to maintain supporting documentation, such as travel confirmations, credit card statements, and other relevant paperwork. These documents can provide evidence of travel activities and destinations, supplementing the electronic entry records and ensuring a complete travel history. While passport stamps may be phased out in favour of digital alternatives, travellers should remain diligent in maintaining accurate and up-to-date records to facilitate smooth border crossings and address any clearance-related inquiries.
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Passport scanning
Passport stamping in Canada
There are varying reports on whether Canadian border control will stamp US passports. Some sources suggest that Canadian border control does not routinely stamp US passports upon entry. This is because the US and Canada have liberal travel agreements, and the volume of travellers means that passport books would rapidly fill up. In addition, US citizens can cross land borders without a passport, using other documents such as a birth certificate, which cannot be stamped.
However, other sources suggest that Canadian border control does stamp passports, and that the practice of stamping varies depending on the port of entry. One source states that Vancouver Airport does stamp passports for visas or ETA, and another states that the Yukon border also provides passport stamps.
It is possible to request a stamp in your passport, and this does not appear to be a problem for Canadian border control. However, as the US and Canada move towards electronic tracking of entries and exits, the practice of manual passport stamping will likely be stopped at all entry points in the future.
There are also mobile applications that can scan passports with NFC (Near-Field Communication) technology. This technology is available on most modern smartphones, and can be used to scan the RFID chip found in biometric or electronic passports. To scan a passport with NFC, the phone must be held flat against the passport with no gap between the two, and then moved slowly across the surface until the scan begins.
PassportScan Cloud is a service that offers a secure and efficient passport scanning service. It can be used on mobile devices such as iPads and smartphones, and can also digitally capture registration forms, signatures, and privacy consents.
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Border agreements
Sharing of Visa and Immigration Information
The Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America for the Sharing of Visa and Immigration Information was signed on February 4, 2011, and came into force on May 30, 2012. The agreement is intended to facilitate the sharing of information between the two countries, with the recognition that border security and management are enhanced by cooperation and collaboration.
Safe Third Country Agreement
The Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) was signed on December 5, 2002, and came into force on December 29, 2004. It applies to refugee claimants seeking entry to Canada from the U.S. and requires them to request refugee protection in the first safe country they arrive in, unless they qualify for an exception. The STCA was expanded in March 2023 to cover the entire land border, including internal waterways.
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
In 2006, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced new identification requirements for travelers entering the United States as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The rule was implemented on January 23, 2007, and specified six forms of identification acceptable for crossing the U.S. border, depending on the mode of travel.
Passport Stamping
Regarding passport stamping, it appears that both Canada and the U.S. are moving towards electronic tracking of entry and exit, and away from manual stamping of passports. As a result, it is becoming less common for passports to be stamped at Canadian or U.S. borders, although there are some reports of passports still being stamped at certain ports of entry.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Canada does not stamp American passports at the airport. This is because the US and Canada have liberal travel agreements, and American citizens can cross Canadian land borders without a passport stamp.
Canadian border control does not always stamp US passports. This is because the US and Canada have liberal travel agreements, and American citizens can cross Canadian land borders without a passport stamp.
If you need a stamp in your passport as proof of entry into Canada, you can request one from a border services officer after completing your kiosk or eGate transaction.
Since October 2022, the US CBP has stopped issuing passport stamps and now uses electronic I-94 entry records. You can access your I-94 record on the I-94 website or the CBP One mobile app.
No, Canada does not stamp all foreign passports at the airport. For example, citizens of the EU, Schengen Area, Albania, and North Macedonia may not receive a stamp unless specifically requested.
