Canada Just Made Connecting Flights Easier for International Travellers

Canada Just Made Connecting Flights Easier for International Travellers

Flowertown Immigration

27 June 2026, 7:47 PM GMT+0000

Policy Updates

If Canada is just a stop on your route, not your final destination, clearing the border just got much faster.

The CBSA launched the Free Flow International-to-International Transit process on June 26, 2026. International passengers connecting through select Canadian airports no longer need to stop at customs or check in at a kiosk. You land, and you head straight to your next gate.

Airlines now send your travel details directly to the CBSA on your behalf. Your final destination and scheduled departure time are shared by the carrier. The CBSA confirms you left Canada as planned. No customs line. No kiosk. No waiting around when you have a flight to catch.

Before You Pack Your Bags, Read This

The Free Flow process removes the physical border stop. It does not remove your document responsibilities. You are still expected to carry everything required for your journey.

Every eligible passenger must have:

  • A valid visa or travel document for their final destination country
  • A confirmed international flight departing Canada within 24 hours of arrival
  • A valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or eTA, if your nationality requires one to transit through Canada

Missing any one of these means the Free Flow process does not apply to you, and standard border procedures will.

The process is currently active at three major Canadian airports:

  • YVR — Vancouver International Airport
  • YYZ — Toronto Pearson International Airport (Terminal 1 only)
  • YUL — Montréal–Trudeau International Airport

If your connection is through a different airport, standard transit procedures still apply for now. Other airports do have the option to apply and join the program by reaching out to the CBSA at ITIprocess-processusTVI@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.

Why did Canada make this change?

The CBSA has always been clear about where it wants to focus its attention: higher-risk travellers and activities. Passengers passing through Canada with clean documentation and a confirmed onward flight are low risk by any measure. Removing the mandatory stop for them is a practical decision. It frees up border resources for cases that genuinely need a closer look.

The regulatory amendments behind this process were not rushed. They went through a 30-day public consultation period in the Canada Gazette, with stakeholder feedback collected before the rules were finalized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Free Flow process mean I no longer need an eTA to transit Canada?

No. If your nationality requires an eTA or TRV to transit through Canada, that requirement stays in place. The Free Flow process removes the in-person customs stop. It does not change who needs a visa or travel authorization.

My layover is 30 hours. Am I eligible?

No. Your onward international flight must depart Canada within 24 hours of your arrival. A layover beyond that window puts you outside the scope of this process, and you will need to go through the standard border check-in.

My connecting flight is through Calgary. Does this apply to me?

Not yet. The Free Flow process is currently approved at YVR, YYZ Terminal 1, and YUL only. Calgary and other airports can apply to adopt the process by contacting the CBSA directly, but until they receive approval, standard transit procedures apply.