International-to-international flight connections made easier

How this benefits travellers

As part of the Traveller Modernization Initiative, Free Flow International-to-International Transit eliminates the need for international travellers transiting through Canada to present themselves to the CBSA for examination. This is possible because airlines provide information on international travellers in advance to the CBSA. The process allows for a smoother transit for travellers, while maintaining the strength and security of our borders.

Who this applies to

Travellers who are flying through Canada from one international destination to another can benefit from Free Flow International-to-International Transit (Free Flow). This applies to you if you:

• are transiting through one of the following Canadian airports:
  • Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
  • Montreal Pierre Elliott-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
  • Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) Terminal 1
    • Note: Travellers arriving at or connecting through Terminal 3 are not eligible
• have a valid identification and travel documents, including a Transit Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) when applicable
  • Find out if you need a visa or an eTA
• remain within the designated international departure area of the airport during your connection, until you board your international flight 
• have a confirmed airline ticket for an international flight departing Canada within 24 hours of your arrival

What you need to know

If you are connecting through a Canadian airport from one international flight to another you do not need to present yourself to a CBSA officer or a primary inspection kiosk for examination. You can go directly to the international departure area to board your connecting flight.

If you are transiting through Canada on your way to the United States (U.S.), you will proceed directly to the U.S. connection area at the Canadian airport, where you and your baggage will be re-screened for security, and processed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

If your flight is cancelled or delayed and your layover is more than 24 hours, or if you leave the designated international departure area of the airport, you will no longer qualify for Free Flow, and you must report to the CBSA for processing.

If your airline offers automatic baggage transfers and your departure flight is on the same day as your arrival flight, you will qualify for Free Flow and will be directed automatically to the international departures area.

If your airline does not offer automatic baggage transfers or if your departure flight is not on the same day as your arrival flight, you will need to retrieve your baggage from the carousel and follow the usual route for international arrivals for CBSA processing. After that, you will be directed to the international departures area.

Protecting personal information

The CBSA uses Advance Passenger Information (API) and pre‑departure air exit data submitted by commercial air carriers to identify transit travellers and to populate travellers’ travel history records. This information is processed as part of the agency’s routine data collection from carriers.

The CBSA may disclose API data only in limited, case‑specific circumstances consistent with legislative authorities. There is no ongoing or routine disclosure of this information to external third parties.

To secure Canada’s border, this inbound and outbound passenger data will allow the CBSA to confirm that travellers have left Canada on their scheduled international flight.

The Government of Canada is committed to keeping Canadians safe while protecting individual rights and freedoms. Privacy protections are built into the core of entry and exit information sharing.

Related links

• Transit through Canada
• Border information for visitors to Canada
• Entry and exit data collection and use
• Advance Passenger Information/ Passenger Name Record Data