The Canadian government has published the eligibility rules for its Transit Without Visa (TWOV) programme, which allows citizens of only four countries to pass through Canada en route to or from the United States without a Canadian visa. The programme applies automatically to eligible passengers, meaning no application is required, but travellers must meet strict conditions, including holding a valid US visa and departing Canada within 24 hours of arrival.
Which Countries Qualify for Canada's TWOV Programme?
According to the official government guidance, the TWOV programme is open exclusively to passport holders from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Taiwan. For Taiwan, the passport must not contain a personal identification number. These travellers must also hold a valid US visa and have a confirmed airline ticket showing a flight to the United States departing from a Canadian airport within 24 hours of arrival.
In addition, travellers must fly with an airline that participates in the TWOV programme and transit through specific Canadian airports. The programme is designed for those flying through Canada on their way to or from the US, and it does not require a separate visa application as long as all conditions are met.
Rules During the Stopover in Canada
Once inside a Canadian airport, travellers under the TWOV programme must remain within the sterile international transit area at all times. This zone physically separates transiting passengers and their baggage from other travellers and goods in the airport. If a passenger needs to leave this area for any reason, they must report to a Canada Border Services Agency officer for examination.
For those travelling towards the United States, the process involves moving from the arrival gate directly to the US connection area, where baggage and the traveller are rescreened for security before proceeding to US Customs and Border Protection. After clearance, the traveller can access the departures area and board their onward flight.
Returning from the US and Contingency Rules
For travellers returning from the United States to an international destination, the procedure requires going from the arrival gate to a primary inspection kiosk in the connection centre, scanning their passport, and then waiting in the international departures lounge until departure. The government warned that if a flight is cancelled or delayed and the layover extends beyond 24 hours, the traveller will no longer be covered by the TWOV programme and must present themselves to a Canada Border Services Agency officer. Travellers are advised to confirm flight connections directly with their airline before travelling.
In related news, Canada has also named five categories of people eligible for faster border clearance by land, sea, or air, and has highlighted the documents foreigners need for a work permit from outside the country, including the completed Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada form (IMM 1295).
