Canada•North America

Open

VH-1 — Transit Visa

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

2 days

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Living in Canada

Cost of Living

8% cheaper than United States

Avg SalaryCA$50,000

Quality of Life

172/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Official document for transiting through Canada en route to another country. Valid for 48 hours or less. No application fee required.

The Canadian Transit Visa is issued by IRCC to foreign nationals from visa-required countries who need to pass through a Canadian airport en route to another destination. It permits a maximum stay of 48 hours and does not grant the right to leave the airport transit area or enter Canada for other purposes.

The visa carries no application fee and can be valid for one or two entries depending on travel plans. Applicants must show proof of onward travel, hold any documents required by their final destination, and not be inadmissible to Canada. Processing typically takes a few weeks.

This visa is ideal for citizens of visa-required countries whose international itinerary includes a layover at a Canadian airport and who do not qualify for Canada's Transit Without Visa program.

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Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

2 days

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a citizen of a visa-required country.

Must be transiting through a Canadian airport to reach a final destination outside Canada.

Must have a confirmed onward flight within 48 hours.

Must not plan to visit Canada (even if transiting for less than 48 hours) or transit by land/water (bus, car, train, boat, cruise ship).

Must hold a valid passport and a visa for the final destination country (if required).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document.

Proof of travel plans (flight itinerary).

Valid visa for the final destination country (if applicable).

Proof of financial support for the trip.

Completed application forms (e.g., IMM 5257).

Family information form and consent forms.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows legal transit through Canada for those from visa-required countries.
Provides a clear, authorized pathway to avoid border issues during layovers.
Can be valid for multiple entries depending on travel plans.

Worth Knowing

Processing times can take several weeks; apply well in advance.
Does not grant the right to leave the airport transit area.
Transit Without Visa (TWOV) programs exist for specific nationalities/airlines, which may be faster if qualifying.
Airlines may deny boarding if transit requirements are not met.

Application Process

Check qualification and confirm if a transit visa is required (vs. eTA or Transit Without Visa program).

Sign in or create an account on the IRCC Portal.

Complete the online application form (IMM 5257).

Pay the processing fee (if applicable, though often free for transit).

Submit the application and provide biometrics if requested.

Await a decision and receive the visa/letter of introduction.

Application Forms

Go to application portal

Transit Visa Application	—
IMM 5257 Application for Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)	Fill online

Verified Claims (24)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

Check eligibility and confirm if a transit visa is required (vs. eTA or Transit Without Visa program…

canada.ca

Dependent Visa

Dependents allowed

canada.ca

Fee Breakdown

Application fee: 0 CAD

canada.ca

Fees

Free

canada.ca

Forms

Transit Visa Application

canada.ca

Forms · IMM 5257 · description

Application for Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)

canada.ca

Forms · IMM 5257 · name

IMM 5257

canada.ca

Forms · IMM 5257 · url

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-gui…

canada.ca

Apply Now Official Information

Living in Canada

Cost of Living

8% cheaper than United States

Avg SalaryCA$50,000

Quality of Life

172/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Official document for transiting through Canada en route to another country. Valid for 48 hours or less. No application fee required.

This visa is ideal for citizens of visa-required countries whose international itinerary includes a layover at a Canadian airport and who do not qualify for Canada's Transit Without Visa program.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a citizen of a visa-required country.

Must be transiting through a Canadian airport to reach a final destination outside Canada.

Must have a confirmed onward flight within 48 hours.

Must not plan to visit Canada (even if transiting for less than 48 hours) or transit by land/water (bus, car, train, boat, cruise ship).

Must hold a valid passport and a visa for the final destination country (if required).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document.

Proof of travel plans (flight itinerary).

Valid visa for the final destination country (if applicable).

Proof of financial support for the trip.

Completed application forms (e.g., IMM 5257).

Family information form and consent forms.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows legal transit through Canada for those from visa-required countries.
Provides a clear, authorized pathway to avoid border issues during layovers.
Can be valid for multiple entries depending on travel plans.

Worth Knowing

Processing times can take several weeks; apply well in advance.
Does not grant the right to leave the airport transit area.
Transit Without Visa (TWOV) programs exist for specific nationalities/airlines, which may be faster if qualifying.
Airlines may deny boarding if transit requirements are not met.

Application Process