What policy was used to discourage Chinese immigration?

• A. Head-tax of a fixed fee for Chinese immigrants
• B. Income tax on merchants
• C. No restriction on Chinese immigrants
• D. Tax exemption

Answer: (A)

Charging a fixed fee for each Chinese immigrant creates a direct financial barrier to entry. This policy, known as a head tax, was designed to make it expensive for individuals to move to a country, especially targeting Chinese workers and families. By raising the upfront cost, governments hoped to reduce numbers of newcomers and signal that Chinese immigration was unwelcome, beyond ordinary taxation or general immigration rules. The other options don’t fit because they either tax a group’s earnings (not about limiting entry), allow unrestricted entry, or provide a tax break that would actually encourage immigration.