CBSA speeds up international flight connections at Canadian airports

Canada is streamlining the way international travellers pass through its airports when connecting to another country.

In a news release Friday June 26) , the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced changes to its Free Flow International-to-International Transit program, saying the updated process will make it "quicker and easier" for passengers catching onward international flights.

“International passengers skip in-person border check-ins and go directly to their next flight,” the news release said.

“Instead of travellers having to stop at customs, airlines will provide the CBSA with travel information. This will keep the border secure while saving time for travellers.”

Under the updated process, international passengers connecting through Canadian airports to another international destination will no longer have to "physically meet with a border services officer or check in via a kiosk," the release states.

Instead, airlines will collect key passenger information — including a traveller's final destination and scheduled departure time — and share it directly with the CBSA.

The agency says this allows officials to confirm passengers are leaving Canada as planned without requiring an in-person border check.

Travellers must still carry all required travel documents, including any necessary visas for their final destination, as well as a confirmed airline ticket for an international flight departing Canada within 24 hours of arrival.

However, the CBSA notes that “all travellers must continue to meet applicable entry and transit requirements, including holding a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), where required.”

The CBSA says the streamlined process has already been "successfully tested" and is now in place at Vancouver International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport (Terminal 1), and Montreal–Trudeau International Airport.

“The Free Flow International-to-International Transit process is one of the ways the CBSA is improving the traveller experience while maintaining the security of Canada’s border,” said Rob Chambers,” VP, travellers branch at CBSA, in a statement.

“We are working with our airport partners to provide a simpler and more efficient process for travellers to get to their international destinations without delay. The CBSA is putting in place tools and technologies, and updating processes to build the border of the future.”

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