Transit in YYZ without clearing Immigrations?
#17
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: YYT/YYZ
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The town of Gander used to do quite well from this phenomenon as a result of refueling stops at YQX. Then the feds started to require visas, and the whole refugee thing dried up.
#18
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
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Not sure if this has been addressed elsewhere but I want to be totally clear on the process before I buy the AC Z class ticket for my client:
From AC's website, I already know my client (holding a PRC passport and US visa) can fly from PVG to BOS connecting at YYZ without needing a Canadian transit visa, but it's the other direction I want to clarify - can they fly BOS-YYZ-HKG with a layover at YYZ without needing a Canadian transit or entry visa and does the AC check-in staff at BOS know this?
We can't hold the ticket too long and it's the last Z seat - so if someone can offer advise on this quickly, it would be greatly appreciated.
From AC's website, I already know my client (holding a PRC passport and US visa) can fly from PVG to BOS connecting at YYZ without needing a Canadian transit visa, but it's the other direction I want to clarify - can they fly BOS-YYZ-HKG with a layover at YYZ without needing a Canadian transit or entry visa and does the AC check-in staff at BOS know this?
We can't hold the ticket too long and it's the last Z seat - so if someone can offer advise on this quickly, it would be greatly appreciated.
#19
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,665
Not sure if this has been addressed elsewhere but I want to be totally clear on the process before I buy the AC Z class ticket for my client:
From AC's website, I already know my client (holding a PRC passport and US visa) can fly from PVG to BOS connecting at YYZ without needing a Canadian transit visa, but it's the other direction I want to clarify - can they fly BOS-YYZ-HKG with a layover at YYZ without needing a Canadian transit or entry visa and does the AC check-in staff at BOS know this?
We can't hold the ticket too long and it's the last Z seat - so if someone can offer advise on this quickly, it would be greatly appreciated.
From AC's website, I already know my client (holding a PRC passport and US visa) can fly from PVG to BOS connecting at YYZ without needing a Canadian transit visa, but it's the other direction I want to clarify - can they fly BOS-YYZ-HKG with a layover at YYZ without needing a Canadian transit or entry visa and does the AC check-in staff at BOS know this?
We can't hold the ticket too long and it's the last Z seat - so if someone can offer advise on this quickly, it would be greatly appreciated.
#20
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
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They must enter Canada for a purpose that is declared on the TDC that they fill out and hand to an agent of the CBSA when they arrive at YYZ. It is their judgement that makes the decision and there is no process of appeal. In addition, the airline can decide if they are eligible for entry and may refuse their boarding the flight. It is a question if the US Visa is acceptable as the basis for entry to Canada. Once they are admitted to Canada for the flight they are in an area that has no security for exiting. Thus, it is wise to get a ruling in writing from the Canadian Consulate in Boston. Since there are flights from the US to Hong Kong, there is no real reason to go through Canada except for the fare and the risk would not be worth the saving.
What's New
Great News! Canada Transit Without Visa!
Effective March 27, 2011, Air Canada will be participating in the Canada Transit Without Visa Program (TWOV). Consequently, citizens of China who are in direct transit through either Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Vancouver (YVR) on their way to or from the United States will not be required to obtain a Canadian temporary resident visa.
Let Air Canada be your preferred airline to Canada!
Customer Eligibility:
Nationals of China
Travelling from China to the United States via Vancouver (YVR) or Toronto (YYZ)
Must hold a valid Chinese passport
Must hold a valid US visa
Must travel on an Air Canada-operated non-stop flight to Vancouver (YVR) or Toronto (YYZ), departing Beijing (PEK), Hong Kong (HKG) or Shanghai (PVG)
Must hold a confirmed onward ticket to the US within the same day of arrival and within the scheduled hours of the USITPC*
Round-trip ticket
*USITPC Scheduled Hours: Toronto (YYZ): 04:30 - 21:00; Vancouver (YVR): 04:30 - 20:30
See links below for more detailed information:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/departm...uthorities.asp
Air Canada China Call Center: 400 811 2001
Website: www.aircanada.com
Great News! Canada Transit Without Visa!
Effective March 27, 2011, Air Canada will be participating in the Canada Transit Without Visa Program (TWOV). Consequently, citizens of China who are in direct transit through either Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Vancouver (YVR) on their way to or from the United States will not be required to obtain a Canadian temporary resident visa.
Let Air Canada be your preferred airline to Canada!
Customer Eligibility:
Nationals of China
Travelling from China to the United States via Vancouver (YVR) or Toronto (YYZ)
Must hold a valid Chinese passport
Must hold a valid US visa
Must travel on an Air Canada-operated non-stop flight to Vancouver (YVR) or Toronto (YYZ), departing Beijing (PEK), Hong Kong (HKG) or Shanghai (PVG)
Must hold a confirmed onward ticket to the US within the same day of arrival and within the scheduled hours of the USITPC*
Round-trip ticket
*USITPC Scheduled Hours: Toronto (YYZ): 04:30 - 21:00; Vancouver (YVR): 04:30 - 20:30
See links below for more detailed information:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/departm...uthorities.asp
Air Canada China Call Center: 400 811 2001
Website: www.aircanada.com
#21


Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,170
http://www.aircanada.com/en/news/110328.html?src=hp_wn
Easier transit between certain Asian countries and the U.S.
In accordance with the Canadian governments Transit without Visa (TWOV) program, citizens of certain Asian countries who are transiting through Vancouver International or Toronto Pearson International airports to or from the US are not required to obtain a Canadian temporary resident visa, provided:
They are travelling to Canada on an Air Canada or Air Canada Express (operated by Jazz only) flight,
They hold a valid passport from their country,
They hold a US visa that is valid upon their arrival in the US.
The TWOV program applies to the following passengers only:
Citizens from Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) and Thailand
Citizens of China who are travelling from Beijing, Hong Kong or Shanghai.
We invite you to learn more about visa and travel document requirements.
#22
Join Date: May 2003
Location: At This Point, Only G*d Knows!
Posts: 3,467
Sorry to bump up an older thread, but I was truly unsure of the proper thread for my question.
My cousin just booked a ticket EWR-YYZ-CLE on the outbound (used Expedia) UA to YYZ and AC to CLE and then called me (I am resident travel guru in the family) to inquire how Immigration and Customs would work in Canada (and I guess the USA though he is a USA citizen so they really cannot deny him access to the USA) as he is connecting in Canada to fly what is essentially a domestic ticket.
He stumped me as I never even considered nor experienced such an itinerary in my life, so I am going to the real experts FTers for the answer.
Is my cousin able to stay in transit or must he clear Canadian Immigrations and Customs and then USA Immigration and Customs before boarding his flight to CLE?
Thanks,
Dan
My cousin just booked a ticket EWR-YYZ-CLE on the outbound (used Expedia) UA to YYZ and AC to CLE and then called me (I am resident travel guru in the family) to inquire how Immigration and Customs would work in Canada (and I guess the USA though he is a USA citizen so they really cannot deny him access to the USA) as he is connecting in Canada to fly what is essentially a domestic ticket.
He stumped me as I never even considered nor experienced such an itinerary in my life, so I am going to the real experts FTers for the answer.
Is my cousin able to stay in transit or must he clear Canadian Immigrations and Customs and then USA Immigration and Customs before boarding his flight to CLE?
Thanks,
Dan
#23
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 47,130
Sorry to bump up an older thread, but I was truly unsure of the proper thread for my question.
My cousin just booked a ticket EWR-YYZ-CLE on the outbound (used Expedia) UA to YYZ and AC to CLE and then called me (I am resident travel guru in the family) to inquire how Immigration and Customs would work in Canada (and I guess the USA though he is a USA citizen so they really cannot deny him access to the USA) as he is connecting in Canada to fly what is essentially a domestic ticket.
He stumped me as I never even considered nor experienced such an itinerary in my life, so I am going to the real experts FTers for the answer.
Is my cousin able to stay in transit or must he clear Canadian Immigrations and Customs and then USA Immigration and Customs before boarding his flight to CLE?
Thanks,
Dan
My cousin just booked a ticket EWR-YYZ-CLE on the outbound (used Expedia) UA to YYZ and AC to CLE and then called me (I am resident travel guru in the family) to inquire how Immigration and Customs would work in Canada (and I guess the USA though he is a USA citizen so they really cannot deny him access to the USA) as he is connecting in Canada to fly what is essentially a domestic ticket.
He stumped me as I never even considered nor experienced such an itinerary in my life, so I am going to the real experts FTers for the answer.
Is my cousin able to stay in transit or must he clear Canadian Immigrations and Customs and then USA Immigration and Customs before boarding his flight to CLE?
Thanks,
Dan
#24
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,559
Are flights US-Canada-US permitted? I thought there was some sort of arcane rule against this?
#25
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#26
Join Date: May 2003
Location: At This Point, Only G*d Knows!
Posts: 3,467
I did not see the construction of the fare, but I wonder, could EXPEDIA sell a ticket that is not legal routing-wise?
Dan
#27
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If you check the Expedia confirmation, there might two Eticket numbers listed -if not, and they somehow constructed a cabotage itinerary, there will be a hefty debit memo in their future.
#29
Join Date: May 2003
Location: At This Point, Only G*d Knows!
Posts: 3,467
Either way I advised my cousin to call EXPEDIA and see what is up.
My cousin called EXPEDIA and spoke with an outsourced call center employee who apparently said, "that since he (my cousin) is an American he is free to fly wherever he wants", which did not exactly answer my cousins question.
He pressed the outsourced call center employee who finally put him on-hold, came back and offered him a refund since he was unable to determine if the routing was legal or not and the outsourced employee admitted it looked funny to him too.
Now my cousin needs to find a better (or at least more legal route) between EWR-CLE as currently UA wants over $600 for the route.
Dan
My cousin called EXPEDIA and spoke with an outsourced call center employee who apparently said, "that since he (my cousin) is an American he is free to fly wherever he wants", which did not exactly answer my cousins question.
He pressed the outsourced call center employee who finally put him on-hold, came back and offered him a refund since he was unable to determine if the routing was legal or not and the outsourced employee admitted it looked funny to him too.
Now my cousin needs to find a better (or at least more legal route) between EWR-CLE as currently UA wants over $600 for the route.
Dan
#30
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 47,130
Either way I advised my cousin to call EXPEDIA and see what is up.
My cousin called EXPEDIA and spoke with an outsourced call center employee who apparently said, "that since he (my cousin) is an American he is free to fly wherever he wants", which did not exactly answer my cousins question.
He pressed the outsourced call center employee who finally put him on-hold, came back and offered him a refund since he was unable to determine if the routing was legal or not and the outsourced employee admitted it looked funny to him too.
Now my cousin needs to find a better (or at least more legal route) between EWR-CLE as currently UA wants over $600 for the route.
Dan
My cousin called EXPEDIA and spoke with an outsourced call center employee who apparently said, "that since he (my cousin) is an American he is free to fly wherever he wants", which did not exactly answer my cousins question.
He pressed the outsourced call center employee who finally put him on-hold, came back and offered him a refund since he was unable to determine if the routing was legal or not and the outsourced employee admitted it looked funny to him too.
Now my cousin needs to find a better (or at least more legal route) between EWR-CLE as currently UA wants over $600 for the route.
Dan
If UA balks at the ticket, then go back to Expedia and demand a refund

