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Old Apr 10, 2019, 6:12 pm
  #1  
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YVR - Fast track immigration?

Does YVR have any VIP meet and greet (fast track immigration services) for arrivals? How much does it cost? Is it worth it?

Thanks!
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Old Apr 17, 2019, 4:44 pm
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Originally Posted by Ericka
Does YVR have any VIP meet and greet (fast track immigration services) for arrivals? How much does it cost? Is it worth it?

Thanks!
I was always under the impression that there is no such thing as fast-track immigration at Canadian airports, though this company claims to offer such a service:

https://www.royalairportconcierge.co...rt-vip-service

I have zero experience with this company, but if you try it, please report back.
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Old Apr 18, 2019, 8:40 am
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Thanks, Jasper. I contacted Royal Airport Concierge and here is the reply I received.

For your arrival, our greeter will be at the arrival Gate with a name sign. Passengers are expedited through immigration/customs. Greeter will retrieve & collect luggage for the passengers and then escort to their pre-arranged car waiting for them curbside. The rate for this service is 450USD up to 3 passengers.

To proceed please provide:
⦁ Passenger’s full names
⦁ Flight information and date of travel
⦁ Mobile number
⦁ Transportation Details /Driver Details

For cancellations we require 48 hours prior to the service. Under 48 hours, cancelled booking/s will be considered late cancellation and full charges will apply.


Unfortunately, that is more than we are willing to spend at this time, but I thought I’d share this with the forum.
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Old Apr 18, 2019, 8:44 am
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Curious, how is YVR immigration these days? We land about noon.

I’ve read they use machines now. Has this sped things up? Does it help to download the app ahead of the trip? We only have 48 hours on the ground and want to get out of the airport as quickly as possible. Thanks!
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Old Apr 18, 2019, 12:17 pm
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Originally Posted by Ericka
Thanks, Jasper. I contacted Royal Airport Concierge and here is the reply I received.

For your arrival, our greeter will be at the arrival Gate with a name sign. Passengers are expedited through immigration/customs. Greeter will retrieve & collect luggage for the passengers and then escort to their pre-arranged car waiting for them curbside. The rate for this service is 450USD up to 3 passengers.
....

Unfortunately, that is more than we are willing to spend at this time, but I thought I’d share this with the forum.
Thanks for posting! That's indeed rather steep!
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Old Apr 18, 2019, 12:20 pm
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Originally Posted by Ericka
Curious, how is YVR immigration these days? We land about noon.

I’ve read they use machines now. Has this sped things up? Does it help to download the app ahead of the trip? We only have 48 hours on the ground and want to get out of the airport as quickly as possible. Thanks!
I would definitely say that the machines have really improved wait times, howeverwait times are still all over the place.

Arriving on exactly the same flight, immigration took 2min and 30min+ last year.

FWIW, there is a separate line for Canadian/US citizens/residents, which helps quite a bit (if you're eligible)
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Old Apr 18, 2019, 2:31 pm
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Originally Posted by Jasper2009
I would definitely say that the machines have really improved wait times, howeverwait times are still all over the place.

Arriving on exactly the same flight, immigration took 2min and 30min+ last year.

FWIW, there is a separate line for Canadian/US citizens/residents, which helps quite a bit (if you're eligible)
We’re US citizens. Hopefully it won’t be too bad. Thanks.
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Old Apr 18, 2019, 4:48 pm
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Originally Posted by Ericka


We’re US citizens. Hopefully it won’t be too bad. Thanks.
Not sure about YVR, but at YYZ last year, the separate line was only for Canadians. Americans were required to use the line with all other foreigners, despite that Canadians are allowed to use “American” lines and even MPC at US airports. That doesn’t seem right.

I am flying to YYZ next month in the afternoon when a bunch of European flights get in and now have Nexus, but no iris scan yet, and I’m hoping I can use the special services desk to avoid the long line as an American (unless we are now allowed to use the expedited line there).
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Old Apr 23, 2019, 11:41 am
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Originally Posted by TXguy


Not sure about YVR, but at YYZ last year, the separate line was only for Canadians. Americans were required to use the line with all other foreigners, despite that Canadians are allowed to use “American” lines and even MPC at US airports.

......
One line at YVR, no separate line for US citizens.
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Old Apr 24, 2019, 10:16 am
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Originally Posted by EmailKid
One line at YVR, no separate line for US citizens.
Darnit! Thanks for the info.

Does anyone have the “app”? Does it speed things along or do you have to stand in the same line anyway?
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Old Apr 24, 2019, 10:22 am
  #11  
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Originally Posted by Ericka

Darnit! Thanks for the info.
Does anyone have the “app”? Does it speed things along or do you have to stand in the same line anyway?
That's one line for Canadians and US residents - the kiosks are pretty quick.
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Old Apr 24, 2019, 12:45 pm
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Originally Posted by EmailKid
That's one line for Canadians and US residents - the kiosks are pretty quick.
Oh good. Thanks for clarifying.
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Old Apr 25, 2019, 5:57 pm
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Unsure if you have Global Entry (highly recommended) but if you haven't I would encourage you to sign up for Nexus instead which gives you the fast track immigration of Global Entry in Canada and the US, plus TSA pre. All of that is for $50 CAD/USD every 5 years. From what I hear, YVR immigration can be painfully slow, even for Canadians without Nexus. The last time I flew there (Jan, 2018) I was hyperventilating since it took 5 minutes to clear immigration at YVR with Nexus (usually takes 30 seconds at YYZ).

Would love to hear Vancouverites experience with immigration at YVR.

-James
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Old Apr 25, 2019, 7:22 pm
  #14  
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Originally Posted by j2simpso
Unsure if you have Global Entry (highly recommended) but if you haven't I would encourage you to sign up for Nexus instead which gives you the fast track immigration of Global Entry in Canada and the US, plus TSA pre
+1

Security in Canada (especially YVR and YYJ) is dreadful and probably the slowest and most inefficient I've encountered in a long time. Yes, even TSA compares very favorably.
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Old Apr 25, 2019, 8:05 pm
  #15  
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Originally Posted by YVR Cockroach
+1
Security in Canada (especially YVR and YYJ) is dreadful and probably the slowest and most inefficient I've encountered in a long time. Yes, even TSA compares very favorably.
Seriously

OK, they are slow and inefficient, but there are so few pax that it usually takes about five minutes @:-)

Ten at most .... maybe I travel at different times ......
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