Before the eTA system was introduced, visa-exempt foreign nationals seeking entry to Canada were not systematically screened for admissibility until they arrived at a Canadian Port of Entry.

Prior to the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in late 2015 and its full enforcement in 2016, visa-exempt foreign nationals (such as citizens of the UK, Australia, and many European nations) were not systematically screened before they boarded a flight to Canada. Travelers simply presented their valid passports to airline staff and were only assessed for admissibility by a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer upon physical arrival at a Canadian port of entry. This meant that any legal or medical issues that might bar entry were only discovered after the traveler had already landed, often leading to stressful and immediate deportations. The eTA system was implemented as part of a joint "Beyond the Border" initiative with the United States to harmonize security screenings and identify high-risk individuals before they ever depart their home country, shifting the burden of security from the arrival hall to a pre-travel digital check.