page_title: Automated border control system
section_title: Canada
hierarchical_section_title: Automated border control system / Canada
caption_attribution_description: English: Smartgate for arrivals at Vancouver International Airport, Canada.
context_page_description: Automated border control systems or eGates are automated self-service barriers which use the data stored in the chip in biometric passports to verify the user's identity. Travellers undergo biometric verification using face, fingerprint, iris recognition or a combination of modalities. After the identification process is complete, a physical barrier such as a gate or turnstile opens to permit passage. E-gates came about in the mid-2000s as an automated method of reading the newly ICAO mandated e-passports.
  All eGate systems require an e-passport that's machine readable. Some countries permit only specific nationalities to use the automated border crossing systems, e.g. EU/EEA/Swiss/UK citizens or USA/CAN/JPN passport bearers, etc. For all other nationalities, citizens must go to immigration officers to be questioned and then have their passport stamped. They come in different configurations, including a gate, kiosk and gate, or mantrap kiosk.
context_section_description: The Canadian Passenger Accelerated Service System (CANPASS) is a suite of Canada Border Services Agency programs in place to streamline customs and immigration clearance for pre-screened, low-risk, frequent travellers. Canadian and US citizens and permanent residents are eligible.
  CANPASS Air allows program participants flying into Canada by commercial airlines to pass quickly through Canadian customs and immigration at major Canadian airports. CANPASS Air takes advantage of iris recognition technology built into CANPASS machines at airports to identify users.  Since the NEXUS air and land programs were merged in 2007, there is little reason for most people to join CANPASS Air since NEXUS provides a broader range of services, including expedited Canadian and US immigration at Canadian airports, for a much cheaper price (the CAD50 CANPASS Air membership must be renewed annually, while the US$50 NEXUS membership is valid for five years.) The most likely reason to use CANPASS rather than NEXUS is that a person is deemed ineligible for NEXUS by US Customs and Border Protection.
  CANPASS Air has been discontinued as of 3 April 2018. Current members can continue using their benefits until their card expires, at which point the CBSA encourages them to join NEXUS.
  CANPASS  still exists for private and corporate aircraft owners, and enables expedited customs clearance upon return to Canada.
caption: Smartgate at Vancouver International Airport (2018).
exif: {}