International travellers connecting through Canada can now move between flights more quickly, following a new border processing change at three of the country’s busiest hubs.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has rolled out a system that allows eligible passengers transiting between international flights to bypass standard border control procedures at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport.
How it works
Instead of clearing customs or meeting a border officer, travellers with a confirmed onward international ticket can proceed directly to the international departures area, provided their connection is within 24 hours and they remain inside the designated secure transit zone throughout.
The change is part of a broader modernization of airport processing known as the Free Flow International-to-International Transit program, which shifts passenger verification to airline data-sharing systems rather than in-person checks. According to reporting by CIC News, the update took effect in late June 2026 following a formal announcement from Canadian authorities.
What travellers still need to do
Passengers must still carry all required visas or electronic travel authorizations (eTA) for their final destination, and baggage is typically transferred automatically for eligible same-day connections. Under the new system, airlines provide advance passenger information to border authorities, including destination and departure timing, allowing security screening to happen without interrupting the transit flow. Officials say the approach is designed to maintain border security while reducing congestion and missed connections during peak travel periods — a longstanding complaint at Pearson in particular, which has ranked among North America’s more delay-prone hubs for international-to-international connections.
Who benefits most
The change matters most for travellers routing through Canada between two other countries — for example, connecting from a European or Latin American flight through Toronto onward to a U.S. or Caribbean destination — rather than passengers whose final stop is inside Canada, who still go through standard entry processing. It also brings Canada’s three busiest airports closer in line with international-to-international transit programs already used at hubs like Amsterdam Schiphol and Dubai International, where transiting passengers can similarly avoid full border re-entry during short layovers.
What’s next
The program is currently limited to the three participating airports, though other Canadian airports may apply to adopt the same process in the future. Given Toronto’s role as a major layover point for travellers moving between Latin America, Europe, and the U.S., an expansion beyond Pearson, Vancouver, and Montréal would likely have an outsized impact on itineraries routed through Canada.
📚 Part of our guide: Canada Travel Guide
