International-to-international (ITI) connections just became simpler at Canada’s three largest gateways. A July 3 report confirms that the Canada Border Services Agency has rolled out its new “Free Flow” process at Toronto Pearson (T1), Vancouver International and Montréal-Trudeau, allowing eligible transit passengers to bypass kiosks and officer inspection entirely. Under Free Flow, travellers with a same-day onward ticket remain inside a controlled departures zone; airlines transmit itinerary data to CBSA in advance. If baggage is interlined and the next flight departs within 24 hours, the passenger walks directly to their connecting gate without meeting a border officer. Those transiting to the United States go straight to the airport’s pre-clearance facility for security re-screening by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The scheme builds on an ITI pilot introduced in 2018 but removes the passport-scan requirement, shaving up to 60 minutes off minimum connection times. Airports outside the “big three” can now apply to adopt the protocol, a move Winnipeg and Calgary are already exploring. CBSA officials say the digital solution will free officers to focus on high-risk travellers while improving Canada’s attractiveness as a North American hub. For airlines, quicker connections translate into more competitive schedules and higher load factors on trans-Pacific services. Travel managers should update PNR coding and traveller briefings: passengers no longer receive a CBSA entry stamp, so proof of continuous travel (e.g., boarding passes) is essential should immigration officers request evidence in third countries. Importantly, the exemption does not override visa rules.
![CBSA Launches “Free Flow” Transit: International Passengers Can Skip Border Control in Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal]()
Unsure whether you need a Canadian Transit Visa or eTA to benefit from Free Flow? VisaHQ’s online portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) walks you through the requirements in minutes, offers real-time application tracking and provides expert support so you can secure the proper travel documents well before departure.
Passengers from visa-required countries must still hold a Canadian Transit Visa or eTA where applicable. If an onward flight is cancelled, travellers must present themselves to CBSA for formal entry, potentially triggering admissibility assessments and quarantine rules if public-health measures are re-activated.
Unsure whether you need a Canadian Transit Visa or eTA to benefit from Free Flow? VisaHQ’s online portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) walks you through the requirements in minutes, offers real-time application tracking and provides expert support so you can secure the proper travel documents well before departure.
Passengers from visa-required countries must still hold a Canadian Transit Visa or eTA where applicable. If an onward flight is cancelled, travellers must present themselves to CBSA for formal entry, potentially triggering admissibility assessments and quarantine rules if public-health measures are re-activated.
