Do you need a transit visa for Canada?
Most travelers need an eTA or visa to transit Canadian airports; specific nationalities/flights qualify for the Transit Without Visa programme.
Staying airside (not leaving the airport)
Canada generally requires an eTA (for visa-exempt air travelers) or a transit/visitor visa even to connect through a Canadian airport, because there is no separate sterile transit zone for most cases.
Leaving the airport during your layover
Leaving the airport requires the same authorization as a visitor (eTA or visa).
Key transit schemes & facts
- eTA: required for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying through or to Canada.
- Transit Without Visa (TWOV) / China Transit Programme: lets certain nationals skip the Canadian transit visa on US-connected itineraries — but the gate most people miss is that you must hold a valid US VISA. A US ESTA is not accepted.
- It only works on approved airlines and at four airports: Toronto Pearson (Terminal 1 only), Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg — and the transit must be completed within 48 hours.
- Your airline verifies eligibility before it lets you board the first flight, so confirm with the airline rather than assuming you qualify at check-in.
Official source
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a transit visa to connect through Canada?
Most travelers need an eTA or visa to transit Canadian airports; specific nationalities/flights qualify for the Transit Without Visa programme.
Can you transit airside through Canada without a visa?
Canada generally requires an eTA (for visa-exempt air travelers) or a transit/visitor visa even to connect through a Canadian airport, because there is no separate sterile transit zone for most cases.
What if you want to leave the airport during a layover in Canada?
Leaving the airport requires the same authorization as a visitor (eTA or visa).
Check the visa you'll need at your destination
Beyond transit, you'll need to know the visa rules for where you're actually going.
Open the visa checker →