Canada Transit Visa for Indians: Eligibility, Cost & Processing Time
Most Indian passport holders need a free transit visa unless they hold a valid Canadian visa or a specific exemption applies.
| Indian passport eligibility | Usually required unless you hold a valid Canadian visa or another exemption applies |
|---|---|
| Processing time | Varies by visa office and required checks |
| Government cost | CAD 0 application and biometrics fees |
| Transit limit | 48 hours or less by air |
Canada Transit Visa, 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 48 hours or less. Applicants must hold a valid passport, a travel itinerary showing onward travel to another country, and a visa for the final destination if required. The visa is issued as single or double entry, depending on the itinerary. Most Indian passport holders need a Transit Visa unless they already hold a valid Canadian visa or a specific transit exemption applies.
Processing time
Canada Transit Visa Processing Time for Indians
IRCC says most transit applications take a few weeks or less. The visa office and any extra checks affect timing. This is general guidance, not a guaranteed processing time for India. Apply early and follow your account for updates.
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 visit Canada, transit for more than 48 hours, or cross by land or sea, 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, unless an IRCC exemption applies
- Travellers connecting between international flights at one or more Canadian airports, with total transit of 48 hours or less
- Indian passport holders who already have a valid Canadian visa do not need a separate Transit Visa — verify the visa and itinerary with IRCC before travel
- 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
- Chinese passport holders may qualify for the China Transit Program only if its itinerary, airline and other conditions are met
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
Canada transit visa eligibility, fees and documents
The Canada transit visa has no application fee. Check your itinerary, passport and destination entry requirements before applying.
Visa Fee
100% Free
No application fee and no biometrics fee for transit stopovers.
Max Layover
48 Hours
Maximum total airport transit through Canada.
Entry Type
1 or 2 Entries
Single or double entry issued depending on layover flights.
Processing Time
Plan Ahead
Timing depends on the visa office and extra checks. Apply well before travel.
Layover & Limits
48-Hour Layover Max
Eligible transit between international flights at one or more Canadian airports must total 48 hours or less.
Transit, Not a Visit
A transit visa is only for passing through Canada. If your trip includes a visit to Canada or lasts more than 48 hours, check visitor visa requirements instead.
Onward Flight Layover
Layovers must be part of an onward trip where the connecting flight is scheduled to depart within 48 hours.
Check the Visa Expiry
Use the visa before its expiry and check whether it allows one or two entries. Visa validity does not change the 48-hour transit limit.
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 Canadian Visa or Exemption
Indian passport holders generally need a transit visa unless they already hold a valid Canadian visa or qualify for a specific transit exemption. India is not on IRCC's eTA-substitute country list.
United States Permanent Residents
US citizens and lawful permanent residents can transit without a Canadian visa, but must carry the required travel documents.
Onward Travel & Visas
Onward Travel Evidence
Provide your planned onward journey and make sure the connection leaves Canada within 48 hours. Avoid non-refundable travel until IRCC decides your application.
Destination Visa Required
Hold a visa or other entry permission for your final destination if that country requires it for your passport.
Final-Destination Entry Documents
Have the visa, eTA, or other entry documents required for your final destination before you travel through Canada.
Check Your Exact Route
Eligibility can depend on your nationality, airline, airport, and final destination. Confirm the current rule with IRCC and your airline.
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
Check IRCC's biometrics rules and follow any instruction letter. Exemptions and valid existing temporary-resident biometrics can affect whether you need to give them again.
Apply Online Unless Exempt
Use the IRCC Portal. Paper applications are limited to IRCC's stated disability and travel-document exceptions.
Documents
What are the documents required for Canada Transit Visa?
- Valid passport or travel document
- Travel itinerary showing the international connection and transit of 48 hours or less
- National identity document requested by the IRCC Portal
- Proof of permission to enter the final destination, where required
- Financial-support evidence is recommended; IRCC lists this as an optional supporting upload
- Employer letter, explanation or other optional evidence relevant to your situation
- Biometrics, medical examination or police certificate if required under IRCC's instructions
- Follow the actual Portal checklist; optional uploads are not universal mandatory documents
Application Process
How to Apply for a Canada Transit Visa: Step-by-Step Process
Confirm Whether You Need a Transit Visa
Use IRCC's official entry-document tool to check your passport and itinerary. Most Indian passport holders need a Transit Visa for a Canadian airport stopover unless they already hold a valid Canadian visa or a specific transit exemption applies.
Plan Your Itinerary and Confirm Eligibility
Make sure your proposed connection is 48 hours or less and that you have the entry documents required for your final destination. Do not finalise non-refundable travel until IRCC has decided your application.
Gather Required Documents
Use the IRCC Portal checklist. The published mandatory uploads are your travel itinerary, national identity document and passport or travel document. Add other evidence relevant to your situation, including destination entry permission where required.
Apply Through IRCC
Apply online through the IRCC Portal. Paper applications are limited to the exceptions listed by IRCC, including a disability that prevents online use or specified non-national travel documents. The transit visa application has no fee.
Provide Biometrics If Requested
Check whether you must give biometrics and follow any instruction letter. Exemptions and previously provided temporary-resident biometrics can affect the requirement. Transit visa applicants do not pay a biometrics fee.
Wait for Processing
IRCC says most transit applications take a few weeks or less, but timing depends on the visa office and additional checks. This is general guidance, not an India-specific guarantee. Apply early and monitor your account.
Receive Your Transit Visa
If approved, check the visa's expiry and whether it allows one or two entries. Use it before it expires. The 48-hour transit limit is different from the visa's validity period; a planned visit requires the appropriate visitor document.
Travel Through Canada
Carry your passport, visa and onward travel documents. Follow airline, airport and border instructions for your actual connection. A transit visa covers eligible airport transit of 48 hours or less; separate transit-without-visa schemes have their own airside restrictions.
Last updated October 17, 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.
The Canada Transit Visa is a free authorisation for short layovers at Canadian airports. Understanding whether you need a 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.
Check whether you need a Canada Transit Visa
Confirm your eligibility for the itinerary, review the required documents, and apply well before your journey.