Canada · Transit
Do you need a transit visa for Canada?
In brief
It depends on your passport. Citizens of the 144 visa-required countries need a transit visa, which is free, to stop or change planes in Canada for up to 48 hours, unless they hold a valid visitor visa.1410 Citizens of the 63 eTA countries need an eTA (CAD 7) to fly through.1713 With a valid US visa, 17 visa-required nationalities can use an eTA instead, and travellers from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand (Transit Without Visa Program) and China (China Transit Program) may need no visa at all on flights to or from the US.5623 US citizens need nothing.4
Checked 4 Nov 2026Source: IRCC: transit through CanadaReport a change
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ContentsIn brief
Who needs a transit visa, by nationality
| Your passport | Connecting in Canada | Leaving the airport | Official list |
|---|---|---|---|
| eTA countries 63 | eTACAD 7, by air only | eTA | IRCC: entry requirements by country |
| Visa-required countries 144 | Transit visafree, 48 hours or less, unless you hold a visitor visa | Visitor visa | IRCC: entry requirements by country |
| … of which with a US visa or a recent Canadian visa 17 | eTA instead | eTA instead | IRCC: eTA eligibility |
| Transit Without Visa Program: Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand | No visaflights to or from the US, if eligible | Visitor visa | IRCC: Transit Without Visa Program |
| China Transit Program: China | No visaflights to or from the US, if eligible | Visitor visa | IRCC: China Transit Program |
| US citizens and US permanent residents | Nothing | No visa | IRCC: transit through Canada |
An eTA with a US visa or a recent Canadian visa 17 visa-required nationalities, by air only
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Brazil
Costa Rica
Indonesia
Malaysia
Mexico
Morocco
Panama
Philippines
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Seychelles
Thailand
Trinidad and Tobago
Uruguay
eTA instead of a visa, only when flying in, if you held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or now hold a valid US nonimmigrant visa. Indonesia and Malaysia joined on 26 May 2026.56
Visa-required countries (144): a transit visa to connect, a visitor visa to leave the airport
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macao, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.1
eTA countries (63): an eTA to fly through
Andorra, Anguilla, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cayman Islands, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montserrat, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Island, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saint Helena, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vatican City. For the British territories the list means British overseas territory citizens of those territories; British nationals (overseas) and some other British passport holders are on it too.1
Israel, Romania and Taiwan: Only for Israel's “Travel Document in Lieu of National Passport”, Romanian non-electronic passports (such as temporary passports) and Taiwan passports other than an ordinary passport with the personal identification number. Israeli national passports, Romanian electronic passports and Taiwan ordinary passports with the personal identification number need an eTA instead; Taiwan passports without the ID number may also qualify for the Transit Without Visa Program on flights to or from the US.1
Connecting flights: the transit visa
- A transit visa is needed by visa-required nationals whose international flight stops in Canada or who connect between 2 international flights at one or more Canadian airports, when the transit lasts 48 hours or less, they have no valid visitor visa and they are not eligible for an eTA.4
- IRCC's Help Centre gives the same rule: a transit visa for a stop or a connection between 2 international flights at a Canadian airport, a transit of 48 hours or less, and no valid visitor visa.7
- Citizens of eTA-required countries need an eTA to transit through Canada by air; no eTA is needed when entering by train, bus, boat or cruise ship.7
- Stateless people and holders of a refugee travel document need a visa to transit through Canada.1
You need a transit visa if you’re from a visa-required country and: your international flight stops at a Canadian airport on its way to another country you’ll be connecting between 2 international flights at one or more Canadian airports your transit through Canada will last 48 hours or less you don’t have a valid visitor visa you’re not eligible for an eTA.
IRCC, transit through Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 2 Oct 2026
Leaving the airport or staying longer
Visa-required travellers need a visitor visa instead if they visit Canada (even by air for less than 48 hours), stay more than 48 hours while transiting, or cross the border by bus, car, train, boat or cruise ship.7 How to apply for one: Canada visitor visa; for eTA countries: Canada eTA.
No visa on flights to or from the US: TWOV and the China Transit Program
Transit Without Visa Program Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand
Valid US visa (to the US) or the documents for your destination (from the US, after a lawful stay there); passport of Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand or Taiwan (Taiwan: passport without a personal identification number); confirmed ticket leaving Canada within 24 hours; a participating airline (Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air China, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Jazz Air, Philippines Airlines, WestJet, Xiamen Airlines); Toronto Pearson Terminal 1 only, Vancouver, Calgary or Winnipeg; stay in the international transit area, which must stay open until the connecting flight. The airline checks eligibility before boarding; no application is needed.2
- TWOV needs no application, but the traveller must meet all conditions, and the airline verifies eligibility before boarding.2
- If the airport's international transit area closes while you wait (for example overnight), you are not eligible for TWOV; if a delay pushes the layover beyond 24 hours, you no longer qualify and must report to the Canada Border Services Agency.2
- TWOV airlines: Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air China, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Jazz Air, Philippines Airlines, WestJet and Xiamen Airlines. Airports: Toronto Pearson (Terminal 1 only; not Terminal 3 or terminal changes), Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg.2
Official pages disagree on Indonesian passports. If Indonesian passport holders do not meet the TWOV conditions they need a transit visa, says the TWOV page; Philippine, Thai and Taiwanese passport holders may need a transit visa or may be able to apply for an eTA. Since 26 May 2026 Indonesians with a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or a valid US non-immigrant visa may also use an eTA; the pages disagree.215
China Transit Program People's Republic of China passports
Valid US visa (to the US) or the documents for your destination (from the US, after a lawful stay there); passport of the People's Republic of China (not Hong Kong or Macao SAR passports); confirmed ticket leaving Canada within 24 hours; a participating airline (the same 12 airlines as TWOV); towards the US, departure from one of 15 listed cities in Asia (Beijing, Chengdu, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Harbin, Hong Kong, Manila, Nagoya, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenyang, Taipei, Tokyo, Xiamen); airports Calgary, Montréal (Air Canada flights only), Toronto Pearson Terminal 1 only, Vancouver, Winnipeg; stay in the international transit area. The airline checks eligibility; no application is needed.3
- CTP needs no application, but the traveller must meet all conditions, and the airline verifies eligibility before boarding; travellers who don't qualify need a transit visa.3
- CTP airports: Toronto Pearson (Terminal 1 only), Vancouver, Montréal (Air Canada flights only), Calgary and Winnipeg. Towards the US, the last departure point must be one of 15 cities in Asia: Beijing, Chengdu, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Harbin, Hong Kong, Manila, Nagoya, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenyang, Taipei, Tokyo or Xiamen.3
- IRCC's staff instructions on the CTP (dated 2019-11-22) list 13 airlines, including Air Georgian and Sky Regional Airlines, which the newer public page (2026-07-17) does not list; we follow the public page.8
No visa or eTA needed
- US citizens and US lawful permanent residents can transit by air, car, bus, train, boat or cruise ship without a visa; they need the right travel documents (US permanent residents flying in: a valid passport and a valid green card or equivalent proof of status).4
- No visa or eTA is needed for passengers on flights to or from the US that stop in Canada only to refuel (with the documents to enter the US, or after lawful admission to the US), passengers on unscheduled stops, and travellers under the Transit Without Visa or China Transit programs.1
- US visa holders transiting through Canada are exempt from giving biometrics.9
US green card holders: Canada for US green card holders.
Fee and how to apply
| Transit visa | Free10There is no fee to give biometrics for a transit visa.11 |
|---|---|
| How to apply | Apply for a transit visa online, before coming to Canada; paper applications are allowed only for a disability that prevents applying online or for holders of identity or travel documents for non-national residents, refugees or stateless persons.10 |
| Decision | IRCC processes most transit visa applications in a few weeks or less; times depend on the visa office and any additional steps.12 |
| eTA | An eTA costs CAD 7, and you can apply and pay for only one person at a time.13 |
| Visitor visa | The visitor visa fee is CAN$100.00 per person, the same for single and multiple entry; IRCC decides which visa to give.14The biometrics fee is CAN$85.00 per person, a maximum of CAN$170.00 for a family of 2 or more applying at the same time, and a maximum of CAN$255.00 for a group of 3 or more performing artists applying for work permits at the same time.14 |
Recent changes
- Indonesian and Malaysian citizens who meet certain requirements can fly to Canada with an eTA instead of a visitor visa. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada · checked · read from an archived copy of 30 Sep 2026
FAQ
Do I need a transit visa for Canada?
Only if your passport is on IRCC's visa-required list and you connect between international flights within 48 hours without a valid visitor visa, unless an eTA, the Transit Without Visa Program or the China Transit Program applies to you. eTA countries need an eTA to fly through; US citizens need nothing.
Is a Canada transit visa free?
Yes. There is no fee for a transit visa, and no fee to give biometrics for it.
Do Indians need a transit visa for Canada?
Yes. India is on IRCC's visa-required list, so Indian citizens need a transit visa (free) to connect between international flights in Canada within 48 hours, and a visitor visa to leave the airport. See Canada visa for Indian citizens.
Do I need an eTA to transit through Canada?
Citizens of eTA-required countries need an eTA to transit through Canada by air; no eTA is needed when entering by train, bus, boat or cruise ship.
Can I transit through Canada with a US visa?
For some passports. With a valid US non-immigrant visa, 17 visa-required nationalities can fly through on an eTA; travellers from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand (Transit Without Visa Program) and China (China Transit Program) may need no visa on flights to or from the US. US visa holders transiting through Canada do not give biometrics.
How long can I stay in Canada on a transit visa?
The transit visa covers a transit of 48 hours or less. To stay longer, or to leave the airport to visit, you need a visitor visa.
Sources
Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): who needs a transit visa, transit visas and exemptions
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): who needs a transit visa and TWOV and the China Transit Program
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): who needs a transit visa and TWOV and the China Transit Program
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): who needs a transit visa and transit visas
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): eTA with a US visa
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): eTA with a US visa
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): transit visas
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): TWOV and the China Transit Program
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): exemptions
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): fees and applying
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): fees and applying
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): fees and applying
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): fees and applying
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): fees and applying
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): fees and applying
More: Canada entry rules by nationality · transit pages · all visa guides.
About this page
By the Visa Almanac editorial team. Every rule, fee and date on this page comes from the official sources listed above, each read on the day shown; where they are silent, we say so. Editorial policy · Change log
- Updated
- 4 Nov 2026
- Last checked
- Official sources
- 15