A Canada transit visa is a free, short-stay visa that lets eligible travellers pass through a Canadian airport for up to 48 hours on the way to another country. This guide explains who needs a transit visa, when an eTA or visitor visa is required instead, how Transit Without Visa programs work, and how to apply with the right documents to avoid airline boarding problems or refusal.
- If you’re from a visa-required country and you’re transiting through a Canadian airport for 48 hours. or less, you may need a Canada transit visa (it’s free) unless you qualify for a transit-without-visa program.
- If your connection is longer than 48 hours, you plan to “visit” Canada, or you’re. transiting by land/sea, a transit visa is not the right document—you’ll typically need a visitor visa.
- Most airport issues happen at check-in: match your itinerary, documents, and entry requirements (visa/eTA/U.S. visa where applicable) before you travel.
Canada transit visa: what it is and when it’s used
A Canada transit visa is a temporary resident visa issued to travellers who. need to pass through a Canadian airport on the way to another country. It is designed for short connections and is generally intended for travellers who will remain in transit rather than enter Canada as a visitor.
As a practical rule, a transit visa is most relevant when:
- You are from a visa-required country, and
- You will be transiting through a Canadian airport, and
- Your transit time in Canada will be 48 hours or less, and
- You are not planning to visit Canada (even briefly) during that connection.
If your travel plans don’t fit those conditions, you may need a different document (most often a visitor visa or an eTA). When in doubt, use the official IRCC document checker: Check if you need a visa or eTA.
Transit visa vs visitor visa vs eTA: which document matches your trip?
Canada’s entry documents can be confusing because the right document depends on your nationality, your travel document, and how you’re entering (air versus land/sea). For transit, the key distinctions are:
| Document | Typical use case | Common transit scenario |
|---|---|---|
| Transit visa | Short airport transit (generally up to 48 hours) for travellers who require a visa | Visa-required national connecting through Canada to a third country |
| Visitor visa (TRV) | Entering Canada to visit (even briefly) | Long layover, overnight stop, or you plan to leave the airport |
| eTA | Visa-exempt travellers flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport | Visa-exempt national connecting through Canada by air |
Important: an eTA is for air travel. Many travellers who are visa-exempt for air travel do not need an eTA. when entering by land or sea, but they still need the correct travel documents. Always confirm based on your specific passport and route using IRCC entry requirements by country/territory.
Key eligibility rules for a Canada transit visa
The transit visa is not a “short visitor visa.” It is meant for transit only. The following rules commonly decide whether you can use a transit visa or must apply for a visitor visa instead.
The 48-hour limit matters
If you are from a visa-required country and your transit through Canada will be longer than. 48 hours, you generally cannot use a transit visa and should plan for a visitor visa instead.
Transit visas are generally for airport transit (air travel)
If you are from a visa-required country and you are crossing the Canadian border by. bus, car, train, boat, or cruise ship, a transit visa is generally not the correct document. In most cases, you will need a visitor visa for that type of entry.
If you plan to “visit” Canada, a transit visa is not the right choice
A transit visa is intended for travellers who are passing through. If your plan includes tourism, staying with family, attending a meeting, or leaving the airport to explore, you. should expect to apply for a visitor visa (even if your time in Canada is under 48 hours).
One possible interpretation used in travel screening is that an itinerary requiring you to leave the secure airside area (for. example, to change airports or to do activities unrelated to the connection) can look more like a visit than a transit. If your plan is not clearly “in-and-out,” a visitor visa is often the safer, more accurate application.
When you might not need a transit visa
Some travellers can transit through Canada without a transit visa. The most common categories are:
- U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States (with the right documents) transiting by air or other modes
- Visa-exempt nationals transiting by air with an eTA (if required for their passport)
- Eligible travellers under specific transit-without-visa programs when travelling to/from the United States
Confirm the official rules for transit here: Transit through Canada (IRCC).
Transit Without Visa (TWOV) Program
If you plan to fly through Canada on your way to or from the United States,. you may be eligible to transit without a Canadian visa under the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) Program.
Key points travellers often miss:
- You do not apply directly to TWOV as a traveller; your airline must verify your eligibility before you board.
- Eligibility depends on meeting all program conditions (including your route and required U.S. entry documents).
- If you do not meet the program requirements, you must apply for. the correct Canadian document (transit visa, visitor visa, or eTA depending on your case).
Start with: Transit Without Visa (TWOV): eligibility.
China Transit Program (CTP)
Some travellers from China flying to or from the United States may be able to transit through Canada without a Canadian visa. or eTA under the China Transit Program (CTP), as long as they meet all conditions and the airline confirms eligibility before boarding.
See the official requirements: China Transit Program (CTP): eligibility.
How to apply for a Canada transit visa
You should apply before travelling. In most situations, applications are submitted online through IRCC’s portal. The transit visa is generally issued as a counterfoil (visa sticker) in your passport if approved.
Step-by-step application process
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- Confirm the correct document using the IRCC tool (visa vs eTA vs visitor visa): Check if you need a visa or eTA.
- Prepare your itinerary evidence to show you are truly transiting (see checklist below).
- Apply online for a visitor visa and select the option that indicates you are applying for a transit visa during the process.
- Submit supporting documents and answer all questions consistently with your flight route and timing.
- Provide biometrics if required (note: there is no biometrics fee for a transit visa).
- Wait for a decision and follow instructions for passport submission if requested.
Official steps and portal instructions: Transit visa: how to apply.
Transit visa document checklist
IRCC may request documents based on your nationality, travel history, and itinerary. In transit cases, the strongest files are those that make the transit plan easy to verify.
| Document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Must cover your travel dates and allow visa placement if approved |
| Confirmed flight itinerary | Shows entry/exit flights, connection time (under 48 hours), and destination |
| Proof of permission to enter your final destination | For example, a valid visa/eTA or entry authorization for the country you are travelling to |
| U.S. entry documents (if applicable) | Especially important if your route relies on U.S.-related eligibility or you are travelling to/from the United States |
| Purpose explanation | A short statement confirming you are in transit only, not visiting Canada |
| Supporting ties (when helpful) | Employment, studies, family obligations, or residence evidence can reduce concerns about overstaying |
Tip: keep your explanation factual and consistent. A transit visa application should read like a transit file, not a short holiday request.
Fees and biometrics
Transit visas are free. If biometrics are required for your application, there is no fee to give biometrics for. a transit visa, but you still must follow the biometrics instructions if IRCC asks for them. See: IRCC biometrics information.
Processing times and when to apply
Processing times vary by country, season, and application volume. If your itinerary is fixed, apply as early as possible and monitor official processing times: Check processing times.
Do not book “tight” connections that assume approval by a certain date. Airlines can refuse boarding if you lack the required Canadian document on the day of travel.
Common reasons transit visa applications get refused
Transit visas are straightforward when the file clearly shows legitimate transit. Refusals often happen when the evidence suggests the traveller may not be a.
genuine temporary resident, or when the itinerary does not match the transit visa rules.
1) The itinerary looks like a visit, not transit
- Layovers close to or over 48 hours
- Hotel bookings or tourism plans in Canada
- Plans that require leaving the airport for non-transit reasons
How to reduce risk: keep the itinerary clearly under 48 hours, provide through-ticketing where possible, and explain why the Canadian connection is necessary.
2) Missing or unclear proof you can enter the final destination
If you cannot show that you are allowed to enter the country you’re travelling to (including the U.S. where relevant), the application may be refused because the transit plan is not credible.
3) Inconsistent answers or incomplete documents
Even small inconsistencies (dates, flight numbers, destination, purpose) can undermine a transit application. Make sure the application form, itinerary, and written explanation tell the same story.
4) Applying for the wrong document for your mode of travel
If you are transiting by land or sea as a visa-required national, a transit visa typically won’t fit. Applying for the wrong document can lead to refusal and delays.
Practical scenarios: what to do in real-life transit situations
If you are transiting by air and staying in the airport
If you are from a visa-required country, your connection is under 48 hours, and your plan is purely to catch. your onward flight, a transit visa may be appropriate unless you are eligible for TWOV/CTP or you only need an eTA.
If your layover is longer than 48 hours or includes an overnight stop
You should plan for a visitor visa, not a transit visa. Even if your intention is “just a long connection,” the document type must match the rules.
If you must change airports or re-check luggage
Some routings require travellers to leave the secure area, collect baggage, and re-check it. That can functionally look like entry as a visitor. Consider whether a visitor visa is more appropriate, and confirm requirements with the airline and IRCC tools.
If you are transiting through Canada by car, bus, train, or cruise
For visa-required nationals, you will generally need a visitor visa rather than a transit visa. For visa-exempt nationals, you may not need an eTA for land/sea entry, but you still need the proper travel documents.
If you are currently inside Canada and planning to fly out with a connection later
A transit visa is for entering Canada to transit. If you are already in Canada, your priority is usually to maintain valid status. and ensure you have the correct documents for your next destination and any re-entry plans. If you are unsure how your current status interacts with your travel plan, consider a case review: status and travel planning consultation.
Airport reality: why travellers get stopped at check-in
Most transit problems happen before you board, not at the Canadian border. Airlines are required to verify that you have the right documents to transit through Canada. If your document type does not match your route (air vs land), your nationality. requirements (visa vs eTA), or your connection time (48-hour rule), the airline may refuse boarding.
Before travel, confirm:
- Your connection time in Canada and whether it remains under 48 hours after any schedule changes
- Whether you are truly “in transit” or will need to enter Canada for any reason
- Your required document type (transit visa vs visitor visa vs eTA)
- Your documents for the final destination (and the U.S., if applicable)
When to get professional help
If you have a prior refusal, complex routing, uncertain destination entry permission, or tight. timelines, a brief eligibility and strategy review can prevent costly rebooking and refusal risks. For support, consider an assessment: Book a consultation.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.
Related reading: visitor visa refusal reasons and how to respond, how. to choose between eTA and visitor visa, travel document checklist for international flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Canada transit visa free?
Yes. A Canada transit visa has no application fee. If biometrics are required for your file, there is also no biometrics fee. for a transit visa, but you must still follow IRCC’s biometrics instructions when requested.
Can I leave the airport in Canada on a transit visa?
A transit visa is intended for transit, not visiting. If you plan to leave the airport to sightsee, meet friends/family, or stay. overnight as a visitor, you should generally apply for a visitor visa instead.
What if my layover in Canada is longer than 48 hours?
If your transit through Canada will be longer than 48 hours, a transit visa is generally not available for visa-required travellers. You should typically apply for a visitor visa that matches your travel purpose and timing.
Do I need an eTA to transit through Canada?
If you are a visa-exempt traveller and you are flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport, you generally need an eTA. If you are entering by land or sea, an eTA is not used, but you still need proper travel documents.
Use the official checker to confirm your exact requirements.
Do I need a transit visa if I’m only connecting for a few hours?
Time alone does not decide the document. Your nationality and travel document determine whether you need a visa or eTA to transit by air. Some travellers may also qualify for Transit Without Visa programs when travelling to/from the United States, if all conditions are met.
Can I transit through Canada by bus, car, train, or cruise with a transit visa?
Transit visas are generally not issued for visa-required travellers crossing the border by bus, car, train, boat, or cruise ship. In most cases, a visitor visa is required for that type of transit.
Where can I confirm the official rules?
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Use IRCC’s official pages and tools, including: Transit through Canada, Transit visa, and Check if you need a visa or eTA.