EU Laissez-passer Accepted for Official Travel

Summary#

These final regulations amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations so that representatives of the European Union can use the European Union laissez-passer to enter Canada for official business. The change took effect after registration on September 26, 2023, coming into force 60 days later on November 25, 2023.

What it does#

• Adds the European Union laissez-passer to the list of travel documents accepted for EU representatives coming to Canada on official duty.
• Requires those using the laissez-passer for official visits to get a diplomatic/official temporary resident visa (issued free for official visits).
• Makes it impossible to use an electronic travel authorization (ETA) when entering Canada with a laissez-passer.
• Keeps the rule that the laissez-passer cannot be used for non-official travel (tourism); for that, travellers must use their national passport and the normal entry documents.
• Gives air carriers and government agencies time to update systems and training before the rule took effect.

Who's affected#

• Representatives, staff and eligible accompanying family of the European Union who travel to Canada for official business.
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency, which had to update processing rules and IT systems.
• Commercial air carriers, which needed to update their booking and boarding systems and staff procedures.
• The European Union Delegation to Canada, which expects about 100 laissez-passers to be used for travel to Canada each year (higher in years with big events).

Why it matters#

• It lets EU officials travel to Canada using a document that shows they represent the European Union, which is a diplomatic gesture and can smooth official travel.
• Practical effects are small for most people, because EU officials could already travel on national passports; this mainly changes which document is officially accepted for certain official visits.
• The government estimated one-time and ongoing costs of about $1,971,794 in total ($582,012 one-time transition costs and $1,389,782 for ongoing system maintenance).
• Air carriers and border staff needed a short transition period to avoid confusion at check-in and at the border.