Visit Canada · Transit Visa
Canada Transit Visa:
fly through Canadian airports
in 48 hours or less
A Canada transit visa is an official document IRCC places in your passport that lets travellers from visa-required countries connect through a Canadian airport for up to 48 hours on their way to another country. The transit visa for Canada is free of charge and can be valid for 1 or 2 entries. You cannot leave the airport with a transit visa, so if you plan to visit Canada during your layover, apply for a visitor visa instead.
Transit Visa guide
How the Canada Transit Visa works: official process explained
The official IRCC document for short connections through Canadian airports.
A Canada transit visa is an official IRCC document placed in your passport, authorizing transit through a Canadian airport for up to 48 hours. It is required for travellers from visa-required countries connecting between international flights who do not plan to enter Canada. It differs from a visitor visa (for longer stays) and from an eTA (for visa-exempt countries).
You need a transit visa for Canada only if all of the following apply: your international flight stops at a Canadian airport en route to another country, you are connecting between two international flights, your transit lasts 48 hours or less, you do not hold a valid visitor visa, and you are not eligible for an eTA.
The transit visa is valid for 1 or 2 entries and must be used before it expires. The application is free of charge and submitted online through the IRCC Portal before you travel. Holders must remain in the international transit area of the Canadian airport throughout their layover.
You cannot use a transit visa if your stop will exceed 48 hours, if you plan to visit Canada during your layover, or if you are crossing by bus, car, train, boat, or cruise ship. In those cases, IRCC requires a visitor visa instead.
Who needs one
Do you need a Canada Transit Visa?
Whether you need a Canada transit visa depends on your country of citizenship, the type of travel document you hold, and how you are travelling through Canada. The following IRCC criteria determine which document applies to your situation.
Applies
You need a transit visa if
- You are from a visa-required country
- Your international flight stops at a Canadian airport on its way to another country
- You are connecting between two international flights at one or more Canadian airports
- Your transit through Canada lasts 48 hours or less
- You do not have a valid visitor visa and are not eligible for an eTA
Exempt
You do not need a transit visa if
- You are from a visa-exempt country (eTA-required) flying through Canada · you need an eTA instead
- You are a US citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States
- You qualify for the Transit Without Visa Program (TWOV) for select countries
- You qualify for the China Transit Program (CTP)
- You are crossing Canada by train, bus, boat, or cruise ship · different rules apply
Special programs
Transit without a visa: TWOV and CTP programs
IRCC offers two programs that let certain travellers transit through Canada without a visa, both requiring travel to or from the United States.
Program
Transit Without Visa (TWOV)
- For passports of: Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan (without PIN)
- Valid US visa required
- Departure within 24 hours of arrival
- Participating airline only
Program
China Transit Program (CTP)
- For passports of: China (excludes Hong Kong, Macao SAR)
- Valid US visa required
- Departure within 24 hours of arrival
- Participating airline only
Both programs operate at four Canadian airports: Vancouver (YVR), Toronto Pearson Terminal 1, Calgary (YYC), and Winnipeg (YWG). CTP travellers flying with Air Canada can also transit through Montréal (YUL). Twelve airlines participate in both programs, including Canadian carriers (Air Canada, WestJet) and major Asian airlines. Always confirm with your airline that your specific route qualifies before booking.
Terminal 3 disqualifies you. Flights through Toronto Pearson Terminal 3, or requiring terminal changes, are not eligible for TWOV or CTP. Many Latin American and European airlines operate from Terminal 3.
Apply for your Canada Transit Visa in three steps
The application is online through the IRCC Portal and must be submitted before you travel to Canada. There is no government fee, but you should apply well in advance because processing times vary by country and application volume.
Create your account with an invite code or sign in with your existing one
Click “Apply for a visitor visa or transit visa” and confirm transit type when prompted
Save and continue. Transit visa applications have no government fee
If your travel situation requires a different document, see our pages on the visitor visa or eTA.
Source: canada.ca · IRCC · Transit visa: How to apply (Updated September 2025)
If your case involves a prior refusal, inadmissibility, or complex routing
Most transit visa applications are routine and free. But some cases need professional assessment: previous visa refusals, criminal or immigration history concerns, refugee or stateless documents, or uncertainty about TWOV and CTP eligibility. A licensed RCIC can review your situation honestly.
Free Assessment