CBSA Aims to Simplify Transit for International Air Passengers

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has opened a 30-day consultation on a proposed regulatory change designed to maintain strong border security while eliminating the requirement for passengers transiting through a Canadian airport en route to an international destination to check in with CBSA officers.

Under the proposed Free Flow International-to-International Transit process, travellers would benefit from a faster, more seamless transit experience without compromising security.

To support this change, air carriers would be required to collect and share additional data with the CBSA, including passengers’ final international destination and their arrival time into Canada. This information would allow the agency to confirm that transiting travellers depart on their scheduled ongoing flights.

The initiative is part of the Government of Canada’s Red Tape Review, aimed at modernizing processes and improving service efficiency while upholding robust border protections.

The proposed regulatory amendments are now published in the Canada Gazette, and public feedback will be accepted until December 29, 2025.

Quick Facts

• The Free Flow transit process is currently being piloted at Montréal–Trudeau, Vancouver, and Toronto Pearson Terminal 1, with more than 737,000 travellers processed in 2023 and over 744,000 in 2024.
• Transiting passengers must continue to hold the appropriate travel documents and immigration authorization required by their destination country.
• Free Flow International-to-International Transit is part of the CBSA’s Traveller Modernization initiative, enabling frontline officers to focus on higher-risk activities while streamlining processing for known transiting passengers.