What was the head tax?

The head tax refers specifically to a fee imposed on immigrants, particularly applied to Chinese immigrants coming to Canada in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This tax was implemented as a measure to restrict immigration from certain countries and aimed to deter immigrants by making entry into Canada more costly. The head tax was a discriminatory practice that reflects the broader context of racial policies in Canada during that time. Understanding this context is crucial, as it highlights how economic barriers were used to exert control over specific immigrant populations.

The other options, while they relate to fees and taxes in some manner, do not accurately describe the head tax. It was not a general registration fee for all immigrants, nor was it imposed on all residents regardless of immigration status. Additionally, it was not a charge for citizenship but specifically served as a financial barrier to entry for a targeted group of immigrants. Thus, identifying the head tax as a fee to enter the country captures its primary function and significance in the history of Canadian immigration policy.