Canada Transit Visa: Requirements, Eligibility, Process & Documents for Indians
A free Airport Transit Visa (ATV) for travellers passing through Canadian airports. Valid for up to 48 hours in transit, single or double entry, no application fee.
2 to 4 weeks (from India)
Free (no application fee, no biometrics fee)
Up to 48 hours transit
Canada Transit Visa, also known as the Airport Transit Visa (ATV), is a document issued by IRCC that allows certain foreign nationals to pass through a Canadian airport on their way to another country. It is required for citizens of specific visa-required countries whose itinerary includes a stopover at a Canadian airport, even if they do not leave the secure transit area.
The Transit Visa is free of charge — there is no application fee and no biometrics fee for transit-only travel of less than 48 hours. Applicants must hold a valid passport, a confirmed onward ticket to a third country, and a visa for the final destination if required. The visa is issued as single or double entry, depending on the itinerary. Indian citizens transiting through Canada without a valid US visa typically require a Transit Visa.
Fees
Canada transit visa fees 2026: free application and 48-hour rule
Official Canada.ca transit visa guidance says the application is free, biometrics has no fee for transit visa applicants, and the airport transit stay must be 48 hours or less.
- Transit visa application fee
- Free
- Canada.ca states there are no fees associated with a transit visa application for airport transit through Canada.
- Biometrics fee
- Free
- IRCC says biometrics has no fee for a transit visa, even when biometrics are requested for the application.
- Transit time limit
- 48 hours
- Use a transit visa only when your international flight connection through a Canadian airport lasts 48 hours or less.
- Land or sea transit
- Visitor visa
- Visa-required travellers crossing Canada by bus, car, train, boat, or cruise ship need a visitor visa instead.
- eTA comparison
- CAD 7
- Visa-exempt travellers generally need an eTA to transit by air; Indian passport holders are usually visa-required unless an exemption applies.
If you plan to enter Canada, stay longer than 48 hours, or cross Canada by land or sea, this is not the right document; check visitor visa requirements instead.
Eligibility
Who can apply for Canada Transit Visa?
- Indian nationals and citizens of other visa-required countries transiting through a Canadian airport on their way to a third country
- Travellers whose connecting flight in Canada is less than 48 hours and who will remain in the secure transit area
- Foreign nationals who do not hold a valid US visa and require a Canadian transit authorisation
- Travellers with confirmed onward tickets to a third country and valid entry documents for the final destination
- Passengers eligible under the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) Program may be exempt — check with your airline
- Citizens of designated countries flying through specific Canadian airports under the China Transit Program (CTP) may be exempt
- Crew members on commercial aircraft are exempt — they apply under separate IRCC rules
Eligibility depends on nationality, the airline you travel with, and your final destination. Always confirm transit visa requirements with IRCC and your airline before booking.
Requirements
What are the requirements and key details of Canada Transit Visa?
The Canada Airport Transit Visa (ATV) has no application fee but requires holding valid onward travel tickets and visas for your final destination. Review layover details and requirements below.
Visa Fee
100% Free
No application fee and no biometrics fee for transit stopovers.
Max Layover
48 Hours
Maximum stay in the secure transit area of the airport.
Entry Type
1 or 2 Entries
Single or double entry issued depending on layover flights.
Processing Time
2-4 Weeks
Standard processing time for online applications from India.
Layover & Limits
48-Hour Layover Max
Authorized stay is limited to a maximum of 48 hours per entry in the secure transit area of the Canadian airport.
Secure Transit Only
Passengers must remain in the international secure transit zone. Leaving the airport terminal or entering Canada is not permitted under this visa.
Onward Flight Layover
Layovers must be part of an onward trip where the connecting flight is scheduled to depart within 48 hours.
No Extensions
Transit visas are issued strictly for the specified layover dates and cannot be extended or renewed from within Canada.
Eligibility & TWOV
Visa-Required Nationalities
Applies to Indian nationals and citizens of other visa-required countries who require entry documents even for secure international transits.
Transit Without Visa (TWOV)
Exemptions apply to citizens of designated countries traveling via select transit airports with approved participating airlines. Check eligibility with your carrier.
Valid US Visa Exemption
Under TWOV, certain travelers holding valid US visas transiting through Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal may not need a Transit Visa.
Crew Members
Aircraft crew members and marine staff do not require this visa; they apply under separate, specific IRCC crew authorization guidelines.
Onward Travel & Visas
Confirmed Onward Ticket
Applicants must hold confirmed, paid onward flight tickets to a third-country destination outside Canada.
Destination Visa Required
You must hold valid entry documents and visas for your final destination country (e.g., a US, UK, or Schengen visa).
Personal Funds Recommendation
While financial statements are generally not audited for short transits, travelers should carry standard funds to cover layover contingencies.
Ties to Home Country
Applicants must show general ties to their country of residence, proving their stopover lays strictly within the transit purpose.
Fees & Biometrics
Zero Application Fees
Applying for a Canada Transit Visa is 100% free of charge. There is no processing fee requested by IRCC.
Free Biometrics
No biometrics collection fee applies to transit-only travelers. If requested, fingerprints and photo collection at a VAC are free.
Biometrics Request
Biometrics are collected at the visa officer's discretion. If you submitted biometrics for Canada within the past 10 years, they remain valid.
Online Submission Preferred
Highly recommended to submit electronically via the IRCC secure portal for fast, paperless processing and tracking.
Documents
What are the documents required for Canada Transit Visa?
- Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond the date of travel through Canada
- Digital passport-style photograph meeting IRCC specifications
- Confirmed onward flight ticket to a third country, departing within 48 hours of arrival in Canada
- Valid visa or entry document for the final destination country (e.g., US visa, UK visa, Schengen visa)
- Letter of explanation describing the purpose of travel and transit itinerary in Canada
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover the transit period in Canada — bank statements or credit card limits
- Travel history documents — copies of previous visas if applicable (Canada, USA, UK, Schengen, Australia)
- Itinerary document showing connecting flights, layover times, and final destination
- Biometrics — fingerprints and photograph, if requested by IRCC at no additional fee
- Additional documents may be requested by the visa officer based on individual application circumstances
Application Process
How to Apply for a Canada Transit Visa: Step-by-Step Process
Confirm Whether You Need a Transit Visa
Use the IRCC official tool to confirm whether your nationality requires a Transit Visa for a Canadian airport stopover. Indian citizens without a valid US visa generally require a Transit Visa. Citizens eligible under the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) Program or the China Transit Program may be exempt.
Book Your Travel and Confirm the Itinerary
Book confirmed onward flights to your final destination through a Canadian airport. Ensure the layover is less than 48 hours. Confirm that the airline carrying you is signatory to a relevant TWOV agreement if you intend to use the visa exemption.
Gather Required Documents
Collect your valid passport, photo, confirmed onward ticket, valid visa for the final destination, and a letter of explanation. Ensure all documents are current and translated into English or French if needed. The Transit Visa application is free — there is no fee to gather receipts for.
Apply Online or by Paper
Submit your Transit Visa application through the IRCC secure online account or at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). There is no application fee. Mark the application as a Transit Visa to ensure correct processing. Online applications are faster and allow real-time status tracking.
Provide Biometrics If Requested
Biometrics are not always required for transit applicants but may be requested by IRCC. If requested, book an appointment at a designated VAC. Biometrics are free for transit-only applicants. Biometrics are valid for 10 years if previously given for Canada.
Wait for Processing
Processing times for Transit Visa applications vary, generally 2 to 4 weeks. Apply well in advance of travel — at least one month before your scheduled flight. Do not finalise non-refundable travel plans until your visa is approved. Monitor status through your IRCC online account.
Receive Your Transit Visa
If approved, a Transit Visa counterfoil is stamped into your passport, valid only for the dates of the planned transit. Review the visa carefully — confirm the entry type (single or double) matches your itinerary. The visa does not authorise general entry into Canada.
Travel Through Canada
On the day of travel, present your passport with the Transit Visa counterfoil at check-in and immigration. You must remain in the secure international transit area of the Canadian airport. The maximum transit time is 48 hours from arrival to onward departure.
Last updated July 3, 2026
Official IRCC sources used for this transit visa guide
Updated for current IRCC transit visa guide guidance
Source-backed by Canada.ca and IRCC fee pages
Immigration rules and processing times change often. Use these official pages as the final authority before paying fees or submitting documents.
Editorial reviewer
Settle in Canada editorial team
Canada visa research desk
Reviews Canada visitor and transit visa guides against current IRCC and Canada.ca source pages before publication.
The Canada Transit Visa is a free authorisation for short layovers at Canadian airports. Understanding whether you need an Airport Transit Visa, the documents required, and the 48-hour transit limit is essential to avoid travel disruptions and missed connections.
Apply well in advance of your travel date to allow for processing. Confirm your itinerary, final destination visa, and onward ticket meet IRCC requirements before submitting. For longer visits to Canada, explore the standard Visitor Visa or Super Visa instead.
For detailed insights on eligibility, document checklist, visa validity, and common refusal reasons, explore Visitor Visa FAQs guide to know the answers of all your questions.
Related Resources
Explore more about Canada Transit Visa
Ready to apply for a Canada Transit Visa?
Confirm whether you need a Transit Visa for your itinerary and apply online — it is free and processed in 2 to 4 weeks.