Important Update: Changes to Canada’s Transit Visa Requirements

Effective October 11, 2024, new eligibility criteria for transit visas will be implemented. All foreign nationals, except U.S. citizens, will be required to obtain a transit visa when passing through Canada.

A transit visa is a fee-exempt temporary resident visa, which is required for foreign nationals from visa-required countries who are not eligible for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to transit through Canada on their way to another country.

As per paragraph R296(2)(g), to be eligible for a transit visa, a foreign national must be seeking to enter Canada for less than 48 hours and

• have proof of
  • transiting through Canada between two international flights within less than 48 hours, or being a passenger on an international flight that stops at a Canadian airport on its way to another country
  • a valid visa to enter their destination country
• satisfy an officer that their purpose is solely to transit through Canada

Transit visas are issued as a single or two-entry visa.

Processing fees are exempted as per paragraph R296(2)(g).

Biometrics are required, but are fee exempt as per paragraph R315.1(2)(e)(i).

The Transit Without Visa Program and the China Transit Program allow certain foreign nationals to transit through Canada on their way to and from the US without a Canadian transit visa, as per paragraph R190(3)(c), if they meet certain requirements

Source: canada.ca