Canada became the world’s first country to eliminate security screening for international-to-international transit – a bold move that other countries cannot even think of. You can skip border screening and long queues while traveling through Canada, regardless of your origin and destination. Canada’s relaxed border control rule makes international connections easier and smoother for foreign nationals in transit.
Canada’s new airport rule for international transit
Starting 26 June 2026, Canada introduced a new Free Flow International to International Transit process. It removed compulsory border checks from the passage between your arrival and the connecting international flight. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) now lets you bypass in-person security screening and go straight to the next departure gate. Previously, international transit passengers had to stop at a CBSA kiosk, even if they were not entering Canada.
Three Canadian airports offer free flow transit
Canada’s new Free Flow International to International Transit process with the relaxed border control rule is currently available at:
- Toronto Pearson International Airport, YYZ
- Vancouver International Airport, YVR
- Montréal Trudeau International Airport, YUL
Who can benefit
The United States and Canada have great air connectivity. Canada’s no-screening free flow transit process is good for international travelers taking flights from USA to India or any other country via the airports mentioned above. The revised border check protocol is equally beneficial for US-bound travelers from India and other countries while transiting through Canada.
Is Canada’s new transit process limited to Air Canada’s passengers?
No. The above three Canadian airports’ free flow transit process is not limited to a particular airline or nation. Whether you fly with Air India or Air Canada to and from the USA via Canada, you can skip in-person border screening during international-to-international transit unlike before. It is certainly good for Air India’s US-bound passengers connecting in Toronto (YYZ). Air India flights to Toronto from New Delhi and Mumbai provide further connections to USA through codeshare and interline partners, including WestJet.
Canadian airports’ no-screening transit rule: Eligibility criteria
The Free Flow International to International Transit process is for eligible international passengers. To bypass the CBSA security screening in transit at the Canadian airports, you must:
- Connect from one international flight to the other within 24 hours
- Stay within the airport’s international transit or departure area
- Have through baggage check-in to the destination outside Canada
- Travel with a single-ticket itinerary from origin to destination
- Have valid documents like passport and visa for the destination
- Have Canada’s airport transit visa or ETA (whatever applicable for you)
Yet you can’t skip US immigration at Canadian airports
Canada airports’ Free Flow International to International Transit process eliminated only Canadian border checks for eligible foreign travelers. If your final destination is the United States, you must complete US immigration and customs (CBP) Preclearance at Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal Airport before boarding your connecting flight to the US.
