Smart Gates at Vancouver Airport
 

I'll be travelling to Canada for the first time in a couple of weeks, Australian passport and have STA (or whatever it's called!).

Does anybody know a) if the airport has smart gates for immigration (presumably yes?) and b) will I be able to use it?

I know that when travelling to USA even with an ESTA, the first time you can't use smart gate. Wondering if Canada is the same.

Thanks, folks!

No, there are no smart gates at YVR's Canada Border Services hall.

You'll fill out a customs card on the plane and your first interaction will be with an officer who will screen you for both immigration and customs purposes.

You'll then proceed to the baggage carousel (if applicable), pick up your bag, and proceed to the exit where you'll encounter another officer. They'll wordlessly collect your card and send you to the exit to the greeting area, unless you've been flagged to be sent to secondary for further inspection - For example, if they suspect you're coming to Canada to work.

Vancouver does have smart gates, although CBSA calls them ABC Kiosks (Automated Border Control.) Currently only Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as well as US citizens, can use them.

Smart gates are unattended gate which one inserts a card/passport and then identity verified using biometrics. Once verified the gates opens and the passenger is permitted to enter.

The CBSA system you mentioned has been around at YYZ for over a year. It only verify the validity of one's travel documents to save step for the CBSA agent without having to scan passport and wait for the result. You are given a receipt which is a copy of your declaration form plus some codes.

Smart gates are unattended gate which one inserts a card/passport and then identity verified using biometrics. Once verified the gates opens and the passenger is permitted to enter.

The CBSA system you mentioned has been around at YYZ for over a year. It only verify the validity of one's travel documents to save step for the CBSA agent without having to scan passport and wait for the result. You are given a receipt which is a copy of your declaration form plus some codes. With that receipt one is still asked some questions by the CBSA agent.