The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has opened a 30-day public consultation on regulatory amendments that would transform how international-to-international (ITI) air passengers move through Canadian hubs. The proposal, published December 1, 2025, would scrap the current requirement for transit passengers to present themselves to CBSA officers, provided airlines transmit enhanced passenger-data sets confirming onward travel.
Dubbed ‘Free Flow Transit,’ the system has already been piloted at Montréal-Trudeau, Vancouver and Toronto-Pearson Terminal 1, processing more than 1.4 million low-risk travellers over the past two years. CBSA says automating ITI screening would let frontline officers focus on higher-risk arrivals while reducing missed connections and gate congestion.
![CBSA Proposes ‘Free-Flow’ Transit—No Border Check-In for Connecting International Passengers]()
Under the draft rules, carriers must supply final-destination details and departure confirmation for each transit passenger. Travellers would still need proper documents (visas, eTAs) for their end destinations, but would bypass Canada’s primary inspection line altogether. If approved, the change could take effect in late 2026 and may expand to Calgary and Halifax once those airports upgrade their IT infrastructure.
Airport authorities and airlines have welcomed the move, arguing that shorter minimum-connection times will boost the competitiveness of Canada’s hubs against U.S. gateways. Travel-risk managers, however, should note that passengers who need to re-check baggage or clear security for certain code-share flights may still encounter mixed processes during the transition period.
Stakeholders have until December 29 to submit comments via the Canada Gazette. Multinationals routing staff through Canada should assess itinerary-planning tools and traveler-briefing materials to reflect the forthcoming streamlined procedures.
Dubbed ‘Free Flow Transit,’ the system has already been piloted at Montréal-Trudeau, Vancouver and Toronto-Pearson Terminal 1, processing more than 1.4 million low-risk travellers over the past two years. CBSA says automating ITI screening would let frontline officers focus on higher-risk arrivals while reducing missed connections and gate congestion.
Under the draft rules, carriers must supply final-destination details and departure confirmation for each transit passenger. Travellers would still need proper documents (visas, eTAs) for their end destinations, but would bypass Canada’s primary inspection line altogether. If approved, the change could take effect in late 2026 and may expand to Calgary and Halifax once those airports upgrade their IT infrastructure.
Airport authorities and airlines have welcomed the move, arguing that shorter minimum-connection times will boost the competitiveness of Canada’s hubs against U.S. gateways. Travel-risk managers, however, should note that passengers who need to re-check baggage or clear security for certain code-share flights may still encounter mixed processes during the transition period.
Stakeholders have until December 29 to submit comments via the Canada Gazette. Multinationals routing staff through Canada should assess itinerary-planning tools and traveler-briefing materials to reflect the forthcoming streamlined procedures.
