What to expect at airport security in Canada?
 

I'm planning a trip to Canada in a few weeks. What can I expect at airport security at a Canadian airport? What is the procedure if I'm flagged for additional screening? Is there a possibility of being strip searched? I want to know what to expect because I was recently strip searched at a foreign airport when I traveled internationally.

This website is likely a good start for information on current procedures.

link: https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/breezethrough

That being said, Canada is a much different place than other places in the world. As long as you aren’t triggering numerous red flags, I wouldn’t expect to be flagged for high level additional screening.

Countries generally take international travel more seriously than domestic, especially if they are in a volatile region. Since Canada is a friendly place, you’ll likely be fine. You should keep that in mind for future travels. 🙌🏻

Canada airport security is really no different than the US. Same procedures, still a priority and normal line. No clear or TSA Pre (Nexus in Canada instead).

Canada takes your temperature. TSA does not.

CATSA stopped doing that a few weeks ago. Temperature screening isn't conducted anymore.

I would argue that CATSA is a bit more rigorous. No special treatment for nexus holder. For TSA, pre check means you can keep your shoes on.

Except that in YVR at least the Nexus Line is closed meaning you line up for security just like everyone else, shoes off, electronics out & the joy of watching a family of four start to get ready at the belt & fill 11 bins.....

James

I've never taken my shoes off at a Canadian airport.

I had to in YVR, at least clearing security to US Preclearance. It was painfully slow with one security line open.

James

I just got back from Canada and it was not bad at all. No pat down but I was told I'm selected for some swabbing of my hands, luggage, and body. This is much better than the pat downs at TSA but I thought the swabbing was intense.

Yeah this is normal re: random selection for intense swabbing of devices, hands, luggage, etc.
Hope you enjoyed your time here. :)

completely agree.

i was through in YYZ in Oct. for first time in a while, and was actually pretty easy. But in past, I somehow have gotten SSSS enough times, even as a Nexus cardholder (seems more than random…) and those are not fun in Canada. One time they just asked for BP, took it, and didn’t bother saying anything (I knew what the deal was, but still). that same time, I had to ask three times for it back when everything was said and done. Also very strict on not bringing any water through - even if traveling with kids (TSA seems to be fine if in a kids bottle and you tell them it’s for them).

to be fair, Nexus did have separate security which was a bit better than regular. Those trusted traveller
security lines appear to all be closed since pandemic started, but hopefully those will be back soon.

They mader open my laptop after swabbing it, and they then swabbed the screen and keyboard. They also made me open all the zippers of my carry on. They swabbed the from and back of my hands, my shoes, inside my socks, all around my belly button, and on my back.

Is this still the case at YVR? Today I went through the line, and it was shoes off. Previously I have not had to take off my shoes in the Nexus lane. The CATSA agent said that it was like that for all transborder flights in Canada, but shoes stayed on in the Nexus lane at YYZ a few weeks ago (and my previous times going through at YVR).

I followed the signs for Nexus/GE cardholders and got directed down to the furthest lanes closest to the customs hall, which is where I have gone previously (although things may have changed since my last departure from YVR in January 2020).

Do not expect common sense at all.