Canada•North AmericaVaries
Free
2 days
No
Not Required
Allowed
No
Not Required
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.
| Initial grant | 2 days |
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).
Education
none or higher
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.
| Transit Visa Application | — |
| IMM 5257 Application for Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) | Fill online |
| 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 |
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