Canada expands airport transit process at 3 hubs
On June 26, 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced a new process allowing certain international transit passengers to bypass traditional border screening at three major airports.
The change applies to Toronto Pearson International Airport (Terminal 1), Vancouver International Airport, and Montréal Pierre Elliott-Trudeau International Airport, where eligible travellers can move directly to connecting international departures.
The update reflects a broader effort to streamline passenger movement through Canadian airports, particularly for those who remain in transit and do not enter the country.
- Eligible transit passengers can skip border officer interaction and kiosks
- Applies at Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal international airports
- Passengers must depart within 24 hours on a confirmed international ticket
- Travellers must remain inside designated secure transit zones
- Process introduced under CBSA’s Free Flow International-to-International Transit initiative
Overview of the new transit process
The CBSA’s Free Flow International-to-International Transit process introduces a system where pre-screened passenger data allows certain travellers to proceed through airports without undergoing standard border control procedures.
Under this model, qualifying travellers arriving from one country and connecting onward internationally do not need to meet with a border services officer or use automated kiosks.
Instead, they are directed immediately to secure departure zones for their next international flight, provided all eligibility conditions are satisfied.
Eligibility requirements for exemption
To qualify for the exemption, passengers must hold a confirmed ticket for an international connection scheduled to depart within 24 hours of arrival in Canada.
They must also remain within the airport’s designated international transit area until boarding their onward flight.
All travellers are still required to possess valid travel documentation for their final destination, including visas or an electronic travel authorization when applicable.
Role of airlines and passenger data
The process relies on airlines collecting and transmitting passenger information to the CBSA before arrival in Canada.
This includes details such as the traveller’s final destination and scheduled departure time, which are used to determine eligibility for the streamlined transit pathway.
The use of pre-arrival data enables authorities to assess travellers without requiring in-person processing at the airport.
Connection to U.S.-bound travel
Passengers transiting through Canada en route to the United States follow a separate pathway within participating airports.
These travellers are directed to U.S. preclearance facilities, where they undergo security screening and inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Their baggage is also subject to re-screening as part of the U.S. entry process conducted on Canadian soil.
Conditions where exemptions do not apply
The CBSA has outlined specific situations where travellers will not be eligible for the Free Flow process.
If a flight delay or cancellation results in a layover exceeding 24 hours, the passenger must report to border services for processing.
Similarly, travellers who leave the secure international transit zone are required to undergo standard entry procedures before continuing their journey.
The exemption also does not apply to passengers whose baggage is not automatically transferred to their onward flight or whose connection is scheduled for a different day.
Background: from pilot program to national expansion
The new approach builds on the International to International (ITI) transit pilot introduced in 2018 at the same three airports.
Under the earlier pilot, transit passengers could bypass direct interaction with a border officer by scanning their passports at designated kiosks.
The updated model eliminates the kiosk step entirely, replacing it with a system that relies on advance data sharing and automated eligibility assessment.
Policy development timeline
Draft versions of the updated transit procedures were circulated by the federal government in November 2025 as part of ongoing modernization efforts in border management.
The June 2026 announcement formalized the implementation of these changes and confirmed their availability at three of Canada’s busiest international airports.
Authorities have also indicated that additional airports across the country may adopt the system following application and approval processes.
Operational impact on Canadian airports
The streamlined transit initiative is expected to influence passenger flow management at major Canadian airports by reducing congestion in primary inspection areas.
Airport operators and federal agencies have collaborated to implement the process within secure zones that separate transiting travellers from those entering Canada.
This design ensures that eligible passengers remain within controlled environments while moving efficiently between flights.
CBSA statement on the changes
According to Rob Chambers, Vice President of the Travellers Branch at the CBSA, the initiative is part of ongoing work with airport partners to simplify transit procedures for international passengers.
The agency has framed the program as a measure to improve efficiency while maintaining border integrity through data-driven screening.
Relevance within Canada’s broader immigration system
Although the Free Flow transit process does not alter entry requirements for visitors, workers, or permanent residents, it reflects broader modernization efforts across Canada’s immigration and border systems.
Recent digitalization initiatives have also affected permanent immigration pathways, including Express Entry and provincial nominee programs.
Updates to draw activity and selection criteria can be tracked through tools such as the Express Entry draws tracker, which documents recent invitation rounds and score thresholds.
Future expansion possibilities
The CBSA has confirmed that airports beyond Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal can apply to implement the Free Flow process.
Any expansion would depend on infrastructure readiness, security considerations, and the ability to integrate airline data systems with border operations.
Decisions on additional locations have not been detailed as of the June 2026 announcement.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Free Flow International-to-International Transit process marks a procedural change for eligible travellers passing through three major Canadian airports.
By removing in-person screening steps for qualifying passengers, the system shifts toward reliance on pre-arrival data and controlled transit zones.
The measure, formally announced on June 26, 2026, builds on earlier pilot programs and remains limited to travellers meeting strict same-day connection and documentation requirements.