Which document you need
The document depends on your passport, how long you will be in transit, and whether you hold a valid Canadian visa or U.S. status.
| Situation | Document |
|---|---|
| Visa-required traveller connecting between two international flights at a Canadian airport within 48 hours, without a valid visitor visa and not eligible for an eTA | Transit visa |
| Visa-required traveller in transit for more than 48 hours, or who wants to leave the airport and enter Canada even briefly | Visitor visa |
| Visa-required traveller crossing Canada by bus, car, train, boat or cruise ship | Visitor visa |
| Visa-required traveller who already holds a valid Canadian visitor visa | No transit visa needed |
| Traveller from an eTA-required country, by air | eTA |
| U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents | No visa or eTA; carry the right travel documents |
How to apply
- Apply before you travelApply online through the IRCC Portal, choosing the visitor visa or transit visa option. The questionnaire should lead to a transit visa application; if it does not, recheck your answers.
- Paper only in limited casesPaper is allowed if a disability prevents you from applying online, or if you hold an identity or travel document for non-national residents, refugees or stateless persons.
- Upload the documentsYour passport or travel document, national identity document and travel itinerary are mandatory. Optional documents include the consent form IMM 0707, an employer letter, a valid visa for your final destination and proof of funds.
- BiometricsFollow any biometric instructions. There is no biometrics fee for a transit visa.
Fees
Processing fee
None. IRCC charges no fee for a transit visa.
Other costs
Any VAC service charges, translations or courier costs are separate.
Transit without a visa
Under the Transit Without Visa program, some passport holders may transit through certain Canadian airports without a visa, when travelling to or from the United States, if they meet every condition.
- Eligible passports: Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Taiwan (passports without a personal identification number). A traveller with an Indonesian passport who does not meet every requirement must apply for a transit visa. IRCC's transit page lists holders of Chinese passports separately; they are not covered by the program described here.
- To the U.S.: a valid U.S. visa, a valid eligible passport and a confirmed ticket to the U.S. that leaves Canada within 24 hours. From the U.S.: entered the U.S. on a valid visa without overstaying, not under a removal or deportation order, and holds a confirmed non-stop ticket to Canada that leaves within 24 hours of arrival.
- A stay only in the international transit area. Missing a connection, being refused entry to the U.S. or leaving the transit area means a CBSA examination before you can continue, and a delay that pushes the layover past 24 hours ends eligibility.
- Only participating airlines and airports: Toronto Pearson (Terminal 1 only), Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg. IRCC's list of airlines includes Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air China, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Jazz, Philippine Airlines, WestJet and Xiamen Airlines.
Check IRCC's eligibility page before booking, because the airline and airport lists can change.
Children in transit
Own passport
Each child needs their own valid passport. A parent's passport is not enough, even if the child is listed in it.
Consent and custody
A child travelling alone, with one parent or with another adult should carry a consent letter, a copy of the birth certificate, and custody or guardianship documents where relevant.
At the airport
Stay airside
A transit visa does not let you leave the airport. If you plan to enter Canada, even for a few hours, you need a visitor visa.
Plan your connection
A transit visa is only for transits of 48 hours or less. If your itinerary could run longer, apply for a visitor visa instead.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave the airport during a long layover?
Not with a transit visa. If you plan to leave the airport or enter Canada, even for a short visit, you need a visitor visa.
I have a valid Canadian visitor visa. Do I also need a transit visa?
No. A valid visitor visa covers transit.
My connection is 50 hours. Can I get a transit visa?
No. A transit of more than 48 hours requires a visitor visa.
Can an Iranian citizen with a U.S. visa transit without a Canadian visa?
No. Iran is not among the countries in the Transit Without Visa program.
Official sources
- IRCC: Transit through Canada
- IRCC: Transit visa, who can apply
- IRCC: Apply for a transit visa
- IRCC: Transit Without Visa program eligibility
- IRCC: Biometrics facts
- IRCC: Minor children travelling to Canada
- IRCC: Entry requirements by country or territory
This page is general information about Canadian immigration law and policy as of the date above. It is not legal advice for your situation. Programs, forms and fees change often; check the official sources before you apply.