Canada Transit Visa Types and Application Processes 2024

A transit visa allows you to transfer from one country’s airport to another country. A Canadian transit visa is a type of visa that allows people to transfer at Canadian airports on their international flights.

Persons who need to transit through Canadian airports while travelling to a third country are required to obtain a Canadian transit visa or a Canadian electronic visa (eTA) depending on the type of travel document they will be travelling with, the country where the travel document was issued, the person’s nationality and the method of travel to Canada.

People who are subject to a transit visa application by Canada can only make their transfers with a transit visa. A Canadian transit visa is issued as a single or double entry visa depending on the travel plan of the person and must be used before it expires.

The maximum transit time allowed for Canadian transit visa holders is 48 hours, during which time individuals may stay at the airport of transfer or leave the airport for accommodation; however, they must leave Canada within 48 hours.

Does Canada Require a Transit Visa from Turkey?

Yes, Canada requires a transit visa from Turkey. If Turkish citizens who will travel to a third country via Canada do not have a valid Canadian visitor visa, they are required to obtain a Canadian transit visa for their transfers at Canadian airports.

When is a Canadian Transit Visa Required?

Situations requiring a Canadian transit visa are listed below.

• If international travel to a third country will involve a transfer or stopover at Canadian airports,
• If there is a connection between two different international flights at Canadian airports
• If the transit through Canada will be 48 hours or less
• If the traveler does not have a valid Canadian visa

Do Green Passport Holders Require a Canada Transit Visa?

Yes, green passport holders require a transit visa to Canada.

The Canadian government requires a transit visa from all Turkish citizens who will travel to Canada and do not have a visitor visa, regardless of passport type, and Canada does not apply any exemptions for green passport transit visas.

What are the Required Documents for Canada Transit Visa Application?

The documents required for a Canadian transit visa application are listed below.

• Canada transit visa application form : The visa application form must be filled out online or on paper, including complete and accurate information, and must be signed by the applicant. The transit visa option must be selected from the options available on the Canada transit visa application form.
• Photograph : A photograph measuring 51 mm in height and 51 mm in width must be attached to the visa application form.
• Passport : The person who wants to apply for a Canadian transit visa must have a passport that is valid for at least 190 days and has at least two blank pages.
• Plane ticket : Plane tickets showing the travel plan of the person who will be transiting from Canada, especially the arrival and departure to Canada, are among the documents required for a Canadian transit visa.

What are the Supporting Documents for a Canada Transit Visa?

Supporting documents for a Canadian transit visa are required to show that applicants will use the visa for its intended purpose and will continue their travel by leaving Canada.

Supporting documents for a Canadian transit visa may include a photocopy of the applicant’s current and previous passports, a copy of the visa permitting entry to the country of destination via transit in Canada, flight tickets and hotel reservation information indicating that the trip will continue, and a signed letter of intent (visa application petition) containing the details of the trip.

How to Write a Canada Transit Visa Petition Sample?

The Canada transit visa petition sample is written in an official language addressed to the foreign mission where the application will be made. The Canada transit visa petition should be prepared by including the reasons why the applicant needs a transit visa, whether they have applied for Canadian visas before, which countries they will be traveling between and the details of their travel plan, including flight information and Canadian airports.

How to Apply for a Canada Transit Visa?

Applications for a Canadian transit visa can be made online or in person. The Canadian government accepts online applications for transit visas and only allows applications to be made in person under certain conditions.

Canada transit visa applications are only made in person in cases where a disability does not allow the visa application to be made online or in cases where the person will be traveling with an ID or travel document as a refugee, stateless person or non-citizen.

Persons who meet the required conditions can apply for a transit visa in person by making an appointment at the VFS Global Ankara Canada or VFS Canada Istanbul offices.

How Much Is a Canada Transit Visa Fee?

Canada transit visa is free for Turkish citizens and no fee is charged for transit visa applications made online or in person.

RSSCanadaImmigration.com provides consultancy services for Canadian transit visa applications, and the consultancy service fee is 60 Canadian dollars (CAD), including sworn translation and health insurance.

How Many Days Does It Take to Get a Canada Transit Visa?

Canada transit visas are issued on average in a few weeks or less. Canada transit visa processing times may vary depending on the workload of the visa office where visa approval procedures are carried out or whether additional steps are required for the application.

After the transit visa procedures are completed, the passport and all other application documents are delivered to the applicant by the Canadian visa offices.

The average processing time for Canada transfer visa applications made by RSSCanadaImmigration.com in 2021 is 26 days.

How to Appeal a Canada Transit Visa Rejection?

It is not possible to appeal a Canadian transit visa refusal. In the event of a Canadian transit visa refusal, the applicant is returned the passport by the Canadian IRCC and an email is sent stating the reason for the refusal.

Although it is not possible to appeal if a Canadian transit visa application is rejected, it is possible to re-apply for a transit visa. Those whose Canadian transit visa application is rejected can apply for a transit visa from the beginning by completing the necessary documents for the application again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions to RSSCanadaImmigration.com visa centers regarding the Canadian transit visa and application process are explained under the following:

Do I Need a Transit Visa for Connecting Flights to Canada?

Yes, a transit visa is required for flights connecting to Canada. Those who have a Canadian transit visa can make a stopover at Canadian airports on flights that will last 48 hours or less. If the stopover time between flights at Canadian airports is more than 48 hours or if you want to visit Canada, you must apply for a Canadian visitor visa instead of a transit visa.

To make a transfer at Canadian airports with a Canadian transit visa, the visa holder must be in Canada between two international flights; for example, a Canadian transit visa is required for a trip from Turkey to Cuba with a transfer to Canada.

Do I Need a Transit Visa for Flights from Canada to the US?

The transit visa requirement for flights from Canada to the United States is waived if you have a valid US visa or residence permit.

For flights to the US via Canada or flights returning from the US via Canada, it is possible to make transfer flights from Canadian airports without a US permanent residence card, US visa, and Canadian transit visa, provided that the transfer time does not exceed 48 hours.

When is it possible to travel through Canada airports without a visa?

Visa-free transit through Canadian airports is possible for Turkish citizens in certain circumstances.

If Turkish citizens have dual Canadian citizenship, they do not need to obtain a transit visa for their transfers with a valid Canadian passport.

Turkish citizens who have a US green card or permanent residence permit can transfer through Canadian airports without a transit visa by obtaining a Canadian electronic visa (eTA).

Can I Apply for Asylum with a Canadian Transit Visa?

In order for an asylum application to be accepted by the Canadian government, a legal entry into Canada is required. While a valid Canadian transit visa is a legal method of entry into Canada, the acceptance of an asylum application is assessed by the Canadian government immigration officers.

In order to apply for asylum in Canada, in addition to entering Canada legally, a valid reason for seeking asylum must be presented in order for your application for asylum in Canada to be accepted.