Transit rules · Canada
Layover in Canada: transit visa and leaving the airport
Canada requires every air transit passenger to hold an eTA (visa-exempt nationals) or a visa (visa-required nationals), regardless of how short the connection is; US citizens and US permanent residents are exempt. Visa-required nationals who stay 48 hours or less can use a free transit visa; leaving the airport to visit needs a visitor visa (CAD 100 + biometrics). Two airside-only schemes waive the visa for flights to/from the US: Transit Without Visa (Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan) and the China Transit Program; at Toronto Pearson they work only in Terminal 1, within 24 hours, without leaving the international transit area. An eTA holder can leave the airport during the layover if admitted by the border officer.
At a glance, by passport
| Passport | Change planes airside | Leave the airport |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No document needed to stay airside | Yes, no visa needed · 6 months (normally) |
| Canada | – | Yes, you are at home here |
| United Kingdom | Online travel authorisation needed even to connect | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 6 months (normally) |
| Australia | Online travel authorisation needed even to connect | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 6 months (normally) |
| New Zealand | Online travel authorisation needed even to connect | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 6 months (normally) |
| EU / EEA / Switzerland | Online travel authorisation needed even to connect | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 6 months (normally) |
| India | Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies | Not without a visa · 6 months (normally) |
| China (mainland) | Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies | Not without a visa · 6 months (normally) |
| Brazil | Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies | Not without a visa · 6 months (normally) |
| Mexico | Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies | Not without a visa · 6 months (normally) |
| South Africa | Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies | Not without a visa · 6 months (normally) |
| Philippines | Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies | Not without a visa · 6 months (normally) |
| Japan | Online travel authorisation needed even to connect | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 6 months (normally) |
| South Korea | Online travel authorisation needed even to connect | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 6 months (normally) |
Changing planes without leaving the airport
Airside means you stay behind passport control: you walk from one gate to the next and never formally enter Canada. Many countries let you do that without any document, some ask for an online authorisation or a transit visa even for this.
Holders of United States passports can change planes airside without any document. United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, EU / EEA / Switzerland, Japan and South Korea passports need an online travel authorisation even to connect. India, China (mainland), Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Philippines passports need a transit visa to connect, unless one of the official exemptions applies.
Leaving the airport
To see the city you pass immigration and enter Canada like any visitor, so the normal entry rule for your passport applies, however short your stay.
Without a visa: United States. With an online travel authorisation: United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, EU / EEA / Switzerland, Japan and South Korea. Only with a visa: India, China (mainland), Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Philippines. Canada citizens are at home here.
Transit rules in Canada
Transit Without Visa (TWOV) Program
Who: Citizens of Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Taiwan (passport without personal identification number)
- Flying through Canada to the US with a valid US visa, OR from the US (entered on a valid visa, no overstay) to an international destination on a direct non-stop flight to Canada
- Confirmed onward ticket leaving Canada within 24 hours of arrival
- Participating airline (Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Air China, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan, Jazz, Philippine Airlines, WestJet, Xiamen Airlines)
- Airports: Toronto Pearson (Terminal 1 only), Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg
- Must stay in the international transit area and not leave the airport; area must stay open until the connecting flight
Source: IRCC (Canada.ca)
China Transit Program (CTP)
Who: Citizens of the People's Republic of China (not Hong Kong or Macao passports)
- Valid US visa and confirmed flight to the US leaving Canada within 24 hours (or arriving from the US after a lawful stay there)
- Participating airline; to-US route must start in a listed Asian city (Beijing, Chengdu, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Harbin, Hong Kong, Manila, Nagoya, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenyang, Taipei, Tokyo, Xiamen)
- Toronto Pearson Terminal 1 only (Montréal: Air Canada only)
- Stay in the international transit area; no leaving the airport
Source: IRCC (Canada.ca)
Transit visa
Who: Nationals of visa-required countries transiting by air
- Transit through Canada of 48 hours or less
- Free of charge
- Longer stays or leaving to visit Canada require a visitor visa
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (Canada.ca) , IRCC (Canada.ca)
Your passport in detail
United States passport
Leave the airport: Yes, no visa needed US citizens are exempt from eTA; carry proper ID (passport). Stay: 6 months (normally).
Change planes airside: No document needed to stay airside US citizens need neither visa nor eTA to transit Canada by air.
Official source: Find out about electronic travel authorization (eTA) , What you need to enter Canada (entry requirements by country) , Transit through Canada
Canada passport
Yes, you are at home here
Official source: Find out about electronic travel authorization (eTA)
United Kingdom passport
Leave the airport: Yes, with an online travel authorisation British citizens: eTA (valid up to 5 years or passport expiry). Stay: 6 months (normally). Cost: CAD 7.
Change planes airside: Online travel authorisation needed even to connect eTA required to transit through a Canadian airport. Cost: CAD 7.
Official source: Find out about electronic travel authorization (eTA) , What you need to enter Canada (entry requirements by country) , Transit through Canada , I will transit by air through Canada. Do I need an eTA?
Australia passport
Leave the airport: Yes, with an online travel authorisation eTA. Stay: 6 months (normally). Cost: CAD 7.
Change planes airside: Online travel authorisation needed even to connect eTA required even in transit. Cost: CAD 7.
Official source: Find out about electronic travel authorization (eTA) , What you need to enter Canada (entry requirements by country) , Transit through Canada , I will transit by air through Canada. Do I need an eTA?
New Zealand passport
Leave the airport: Yes, with an online travel authorisation eTA. Stay: 6 months (normally). Cost: CAD 7.
Change planes airside: Online travel authorisation needed even to connect eTA required even in transit. Cost: CAD 7.
Official source: Find out about electronic travel authorization (eTA) , What you need to enter Canada (entry requirements by country) , Transit through Canada , I will transit by air through Canada. Do I need an eTA?
EU / EEA / Switzerland passport
Leave the airport: Yes, with an online travel authorisation eTA (Romania: e-passport only, otherwise visitor visa). Stay: 6 months (normally). Cost: CAD 7.
Change planes airside: Online travel authorisation needed even to connect eTA required even in transit for all EU/EEA and Swiss citizens. Exception: Romanian citizens need an eTA only with an electronic (biometric) passport; other Romanian passports need a visa (transit visa for <=48h). Cost: CAD 7.
Official source: Find out about electronic travel authorization (eTA) , What you need to enter Canada (entry requirements by country) , Transit through Canada , I will transit by air through Canada. Do I need an eTA?
India passport
Leave the airport: Not without a visa Visitor visa needed to leave the airport (even for less than 48 hours). Stay: 6 months (normally). Cost: CAD 100 + CAD 85 biometrics.
Change planes airside: Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies Visa-required country: free transit visa for a transit of 48 hours or less; not eligible for TWOV or China Transit Program. Cost: free (biometrics also free for transit visa per IRCC).
Official source: Transit through Canada , Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list , Transit visa , What you need to enter Canada (entry requirements by country)
China (mainland) passport
Leave the airport: Not without a visa Visitor visa needed to leave the airport. Stay: 6 months (normally). Cost: CAD 100 + CAD 85 biometrics.
Change planes airside: Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies Free transit visa (<=48h), OR visa-free under the China Transit Program if flying to/from the US with a valid US visa, PRC passport (not HK/Macao), participating airline, Pearson Terminal 1 only, departure within 24h, staying in the international transit area. Cost: free.
Official source: Transit through Canada , What you need to enter Canada (entry requirements by country) , Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list , Transit visa , Transit Without Visa Program: Find out if you're eligible , China Transit Program: Find out if you're eligible
Brazil passport
Leave the airport: Not without a visa Visitor visa, unless eligible for the conditional eTA (air only; Canadian visa in past 10 years or valid US NIV). Stay: 6 months (normally). Cost: CAD 100 + CAD 85 biometrics (visa) or CAD 7 (eTA).
Change planes airside: Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies Visa-required, but Brazilians who held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years or now hold a valid US nonimmigrant visa can transit by air on an eTA (CAD 7) instead; otherwise free transit visa (<=48h). Cost: CAD 7 (eTA) or free (transit visa).
Official source: What you need to enter Canada (entry requirements by country) , Electronic travel authorization (eTA): Citizens from some visa-required countries , Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list , Transit through Canada , Transit visa
Mexico passport
Leave the airport: Not without a visa Visitor visa, unless eligible for the conditional eTA (air only). Stay: 6 months (normally). Cost: CAD 100 + CAD 85 biometrics (visa) or CAD 7 (eTA).
Change planes airside: Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies Visa-required, but Mexicans who held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years or now hold a valid US nonimmigrant visa can fly/transit on an eTA (CAD 7); otherwise free transit visa (<=48h). Cost: CAD 7 (eTA) or free (transit visa).
Official source: What you need to enter Canada (entry requirements by country) , Electronic travel authorization (eTA): Citizens from some visa-required countries , Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list , Transit through Canada , Transit visa
South Africa passport
Leave the airport: Not without a visa Visitor visa. Stay: 6 months (normally). Cost: CAD 100 + CAD 85 biometrics.
Change planes airside: Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies Visa-required: free transit visa for <=48h. Not eligible for TWOV. Cost: free.
Official source: Transit through Canada , Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list , What you need to enter Canada (entry requirements by country) , Transit visa
Philippines passport
Leave the airport: Not without a visa Visitor visa unless eligible for the conditional eTA (air only). Stay: 6 months (normally). Cost: CAD 100 + CAD 85 biometrics (visa) or CAD 7 (eTA).
Change planes airside: Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies Three routes: (1) Transit Without Visa program if flying to/from the US with a valid US visa, participating airline, Pearson Terminal 1, <24h, staying airside; (2) eTA (CAD 7) if held a Canadian visa in past 10 years or hold a valid US NIV; (3) otherwise free transit visa (<=48h). Cost: free (TWOV / transit visa) or CAD 7 (eTA).
Official source: What you need to enter Canada (entry requirements by country) , Electronic travel authorization (eTA): Citizens from some visa-required countries , Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list , Transit through Canada , Transit visa , Transit Without Visa Program: Find out if you're eligible
Japan passport
Leave the airport: Yes, with an online travel authorisation eTA. Stay: 6 months (normally). Cost: CAD 7.
Change planes airside: Online travel authorisation needed even to connect eTA required even in transit. Cost: CAD 7.
Official source: Find out about electronic travel authorization (eTA) , What you need to enter Canada (entry requirements by country) , Transit through Canada , I will transit by air through Canada. Do I need an eTA?
South Korea passport
Leave the airport: Yes, with an online travel authorisation eTA (Republic of Korea). Stay: 6 months (normally). Cost: CAD 7.
Change planes airside: Online travel authorisation needed even to connect eTA required even in transit. Cost: CAD 7.
Official source: Find out about electronic travel authorization (eTA) , What you need to enter Canada (entry requirements by country) , Transit through Canada , I will transit by air through Canada. Do I need an eTA?
How much time you get in the city
Being allowed out is half the answer; the other half is the clock. Count the time to get off the plane and through immigration, the trip into town and back, and getting back early enough for security and the gate. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ): the fastest public option, UP Express, Pearson Station (Terminal 1) to Union Station, takes 28 minutes, so plan a layover of at least 5 h 25 min.
The planner on each airport page does this for your own flight times and lets you change every assumption.
Questions
Do I need a transit visa for Canada?
Holders of United States passports can change planes airside without any document. United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, EU / EEA / Switzerland, Japan and South Korea passports need an online travel authorisation even to connect. India, China (mainland), Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Philippines passports need a transit visa to connect, unless one of the official exemptions applies.
Can I leave the airport during a layover in Canada?
It depends on your passport. Without a visa: United States. With an online travel authorisation: United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, EU / EEA / Switzerland, Japan and South Korea. Only with a visa: India, China (mainland), Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Philippines. Canada citizens are at home here.
How long a layover do I need to leave the airport?
With our cautious defaults (45 minutes to get out, the trip into town and back plus 20%, 120 minutes back before departure, at least 90 minutes in the city): Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ): the fastest public option, UP Express, Pearson Station (Terminal 1) to Union Station, takes 28 minutes, so plan a layover of at least 5 h 25 min.
Official sources
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Transit through Canada (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (Canada.ca)):
You need an eTA to transit through Canada by air if you're from an eTA-required country.
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I will transit by air through Canada. Do I need an eTA? (IRCC Help Centre):
Passengers transiting Canada will need an eTA or a visa, regardless of the length of time in Canada.
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Find out about electronic travel authorization (eTA) (IRCC (Canada.ca)):
An eTA costs CAD $7. ... It is valid for up to five years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
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What you need to enter Canada (entry requirements by country) (IRCC (Canada.ca)):
Some citizens of Mexico may be eligible for an eTA if they meet certain requirements [same wording for Brazil and the Philippines; India, China, South Africa listed as visa-required]
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Transit visa (IRCC (Canada.ca)):
Fee: Free. It shows that you meet the requirements to transit for up to 48 hours through a Canadian airport.
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Electronic travel authorization (eTA): Citizens from some visa-required countries (IRCC (Canada.ca)):
held a Canadian visitor visa (temporary resident visa) in the past 10 years, or currently hold a valid United States (US) nonimmigrant visa (NIV)
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Transit Without Visa Program: Find out if you're eligible (IRCC (Canada.ca)):
a confirmed airline ticket for a flight to the US that leaves Canada within 24 hours of your arrival
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China Transit Program: Find out if you're eligible (IRCC (Canada.ca)):
not leave the Canadian airport during your stopover, except to board your connecting flight
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Citizenship and immigration application fees: Fee list (IRCC):
Visitor visa - per person: $100.00 ... Biometrics – per individual: $85.00
Checked against these sources on 2026-11-01. Rules change; the airline and the border officer have the final word. Found something out of date? Tell us.