Transit Without Visa Program —
Information for Travellers

Table of Contents

• Traveller Eligibility
• Passengers travelling to the United States
• Missing a flight connection or arriving after hours
• Passengers arriving from the United States

Traveller Eligibility

Nationals from the following countries qualify for the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program:

• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Taiwan (see notice below)
• the Philippines

All nationals who qualify for the TWOV program must also meet these conditions:

• They hold a valid passport issued by an approved country (listed above);
• They hold a valid U.S. visa;
• They travel to Canada on an approved airline; and
• They transit through an approved Canadian airport.

Passengers travelling to the United States

In addition to the conditions above, while travelling to the United States, nationals from approved countries must hold a confirmed onward ticket for a direct flight to the United States leaving Canada the same travel day (no layover or overnight stay is permitted).

Passengers may be asked to fill out a TWOV card for statistical purposes.

Notice: Travellers who are changing flights in Canada must arrive during the hours of operation of the U.S. in-transit pre-clearance facility to be able to travel without a Canadian transit visa under the TWOV program. Therefore, travellers should check their flight connections with the airline.

Missing a flight connection or arriving after hours

Travellers who miss their connecting flight or arrive after hours when the U.S. in-transit pre-clearance facility is closed are no longer eligible to travel without a transit visa under the TWOV program and must proceed to a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer for examination.

Passengers arriving from the United States

In addition to the conditions above, when travelling from the United States, nationals from approved countries must meet the following conditions to qualify as a TWOV passenger:

• They arrive in Canada from the United States on a direct, non-stop flight on an approved airline and proceed to the CBSA area for clearance or remain in a sterile transit area while waiting for a connecting flight (passengers that leave the sterile transit area must go to the CBSA area for examination);

Notice: TWOV nationals returning from the United States on a non-approved airline are required to have a valid Canadian Transit Visa to transit Canada.

• They are not under a removal or deportation order from the United States;
• They had a valid U.S. visa to enter the United States and have not overstayed the period of time they were authorized to remain in the United States;
• They are destined for a third country, including their country of nationality, and have the required travel documents to enter that third country as well as the required travel documents for any countries they may transit through; and
• They hold a confirmed onward ticket for a flight that will leave Canada on the same travel day (no layover or overnight stay is permitted).

They may be asked to fill out a TWOV card for statistical purposes.