International travellers passing through three major Canadian airports can now skip border control when connecting to another international flight.
Under a new process introduced by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), eligible passengers travelling through Toronto Pearson International Airport (Terminal 1), Vancouver International Airport, and Montréal Pierre Elliott-Trudeau International Airport can move directly to the international departures area after landing. They no longer need to meet a border services officer or use a self-service kiosk during their connection.
To qualify for this exemption, travellers must have a confirmed ticket for an international flight leaving Canada within 24 hours of their arrival. They must also stay inside the airport’s designated international departure area until it is time to board their next flight.
The CBSA introduced this change through its new Free Flow International-to-International Transit process.
Other Canadian airports can also apply to the CBSA if they wish to introduce the same system.
The CBSA announced the new travel process on June 26, 2026.
How The New Transit Process Works?
Travellers must continue to carry all required travel documents for their final destination. This includes any visa, Transit Visa, or electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), where applicable.
Passengers with same-day international connections whose checked baggage is automatically transferred to the next flight can use the Free Flow process. These travellers will be directed straight to the international departures area without completing Canadian border processing.
The new system works because airlines now collect and share passenger travel details with the CBSA before arrival. This information includes the traveller’s final destination and scheduled departure time.
Passengers connecting to flights bound for the United States can proceed directly to the airport’s U.S. connections area. There, both passengers and their baggage will go through security screening before completing U.S. Customs and Border Protection procedures.
Moreover, it is important to note that travellers will no longer qualify for the Free Flow process if their connecting flight is delayed or cancelled and the layover becomes longer than 24 hours. They will also lose eligibility if they leave the airport’s international transit area.
In these situations, passengers must report to the CBSA and complete the regular border entry process.
The Free Flow system also does not apply when checked baggage is not automatically transferred or when the connecting international flight is not scheduled for the same day. In these cases, travellers must collect their baggage, complete CBSA procedures, and then continue to the departures area.
New System Builds On Earlier Pilot Program
The Free Flow process expands on the International-to-International (ITI) pilot program that the CBSA launched at the same three airports in 2018.
Under the earlier system, travellers still had to scan their passports at a self-service kiosk to avoid speaking with a border officer.
The updated process removes that passport scanning step, making airport connections faster and simpler for eligible passengers.
The government first shared draft details of these changes in November 2025. The latest version also allows additional Canadian airports to introduce the Free Flow process after receiving CBSA approval.
According to Rob Chambers, Vice President of the CBSA’s Travellers Branch, the new system is designed to give international travellers a smoother and more efficient airport connection while helping them reach their final destination with fewer delays.
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