Transit Through Canada
Transit Through Canada
What is transit through Canada? At first glance, some people may think it refers to Canada’s transportation system. The keyword here is “through”, that’s right, transit through Canada refers to exactly that, Traveling through Canada. Many people transfer flights or stop in a different country for a few days, even weeks before reaching their final destinations.
While you are on your journey to the U.S. for example, you may have to pass through Canada depending on how you are flying. Some travellers also fly to Canada first, then drive to the U.S. There are many ways to travel through Canada (air, car, bus, train, etc.). Even though your stop in Canada may be short, you may still need a visitor visa or eTA to transfer flights. It is better to double check if you need a visa or not, and you can do so here.
Canada also has a “transit without a visa (TWOV)” program if you meet certain requirements. Since Canada and the U.S. are so close together, US citizens and green card holders can travel through Canada without a visa if they provide our border officers with the correct documents (NEXUS, citizenship ID, passport, etc.). In addition to U.S. citizens, people with passports from China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Taiwan may also be able to travel through without a visa. Under the following situations, travellers do not need to have a visa to travel through Canada:
- Travelling to the United States through Canada
- Travelling from the United States with a stop in Canada before you reach your final international destination.
In addition to the two situations mentioned above, travellers must also have a U.S. visa, promise not to leave the Canadian airport during their layover, depart Canada within 24 hours, and choose an airline that participates in the TWOV. You can check which airline is available here.
Transit Through Canada
It is very important to make sure you meet all the requirements for TWOV before you make your travel arrangements. If you are not sure, it is best to double check with an immigration consultant or travel agency. Only a few airlines participate in TWOV, and you will also need to pay attention to the Canadian airports you will be arriving at. Travellers who are TWOV must use one of the following airports:
- Toronto Pearson Airport
- Vancouver International Airport
- Calgary International Airport
- Winnipeg international Airport
The main airport you have to pay attention to detail to is the Toronto Pearson Airport. There is only one terminal you can use if you are travelling without a visa, which is Terminal 1. It does not matter if you are in the same airport, if you arrive in terminal 3 or need to change terminals when you transfer flights, you will not be able to use TWOV.
If you wish to do some sightseeing during your layover in Canada, it may be a good idea to apply for a transit visa. This will let you stay in Canada for 48 hours. This will be perfect if you are on a tight schedule and you can only stop by Canada briefly before moving on to the U.S. or another country. If you are interested in transit visa application, you can find more detailed information here:
Overall, traveling through Canada has been made easy with the traveling without a visa program. If you are eligible, definitely apply and make sure you abide by the rules that come with TWOV. If you are still unsure about the procedure or documents you need to travel to Canada, reach out to one of our IRCC licensed consultants. We are here to make your travel easier.
Regards,
SmartImmigrant (Transit Through Canada)
