Jul 14, 2023, 12:27 pm
Last edit by: Adam Smith
What is the Verified Traveller ("VT") program?
Verified Traveller gives priority security at certain Canadian airport checkpoints. Unlike the old NEXUS lanes (which only got you to the front of the line faster, with the same screening process once there), VT actually offers expedited screening
Verified Traveller is separate from the NEXUS program. Please visit the Trusted Traveler forum for information and discussion on NEXUS.
What is the VT expedited screening experience?
For domestic/international flights:
For transborder flights (to the US):
Who is eligible?
Do you have to register for this program?
No, everyone who qualifies, per the list above, is automatically eligible.
Do you have to be flying certain airlines to take advantage of this program?
No. As long as your airline is flying from an area that has the VT service, and you're eligible, that's all that matters.
How do you take advantage of VT lanes? Like TSA PreCheck in the US, do you have to provide an ID number in advance?
Eligibility for VT requires you to present the relevant identification at the checkpoint. There's no need to register any information in advance. Conversely, if you don't have your ID on you, you can't use the lanes
Can I bring other people with me who aren't eligible themselves?
Where are the VT checkpoints?
There are dedicated VT lanes at the following checkpoints (last updated June 2, 2025):
Domestic/international checkpoints:
Where there are limited hours to the full VT experience, front of line service is generally available the rest of the time.
Transborder checkpoints (note that this applies only to checkpoints for originating passengers; the dedicated connections security areas at most have front of line service, and often no priority at all):
What if the airport/checkpoint I'm flying from isn't listed above?
Many checkpoints offer "front of the line service" - just like the old NEXUS lanes, there's a dedicated lane to get you to the screening faster, but the screening process is the same as in the regular lanes. These are listed below. If your airport isn't listed, there's no Verified Traveller benefit.
Verified Traveller gives priority security at certain Canadian airport checkpoints. Unlike the old NEXUS lanes (which only got you to the front of the line faster, with the same screening process once there), VT actually offers expedited screening
Verified Traveller is separate from the NEXUS program. Please visit the Trusted Traveler forum for information and discussion on NEXUS.
What is the VT expedited screening experience?
For domestic/international flights:
- Leave permitted liquids, aerosols and gels in your carry-on
- Leave laptops and electronics in your carry-on
- Keep shoes, belts, light jackets and headwear on
- Keep small items in your pockets
For transborder flights (to the US):
- Leave permitted liquids, aerosols and gels in your carry-on
- Keep shoes, belts, light jackets and headwear on
- Keep small items in your pockets
Who is eligible?
- NEXUS: holders of NEXUS cards
- Global Entry: holders of Global Entry cards
- Canadian / US military: Serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces and US military, including reservists, all with valid ID (no uniform required)
- Air crew / RAIC holders: Canadian aircrew (in uniform), airport workers with Restricted Area Identification Cards and international aircrew (in uniform) with valid airline ID
- RCMP / police: Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers, Canadian police officers and constables with a badge and proper photo identification issued by their respective organizations
Do you have to register for this program?
No, everyone who qualifies, per the list above, is automatically eligible.
Do you have to be flying certain airlines to take advantage of this program?
No. As long as your airline is flying from an area that has the VT service, and you're eligible, that's all that matters.
How do you take advantage of VT lanes? Like TSA PreCheck in the US, do you have to provide an ID number in advance?
Eligibility for VT requires you to present the relevant identification at the checkpoint. There's no need to register any information in advance. Conversely, if you don't have your ID on you, you can't use the lanes
Can I bring other people with me who aren't eligible themselves?
- Domestic / international: only co-travellers aged (a) 17 or under, or (b) aged 75 or over
- Transborder: yes
Where are the VT checkpoints?
There are dedicated VT lanes at the following checkpoints (last updated June 2, 2025):
Domestic/international checkpoints:
- YYC C gates
- YVR (dedicated checkpoint upstairs, same level as Canada Line train)
- YEG
- YUL
- YYZ T1 D gates (international flights depart from E, but it's usually possible to clear security at D and then walk airside to E, subject to CATSA whims)
- YYZ T3 (need clarification on which checkpoints)
- YWG
- YOW (very limited hours)
- YHZ (limited hours)
Where there are limited hours to the full VT experience, front of line service is generally available the rest of the time.
Transborder checkpoints (note that this applies only to checkpoints for originating passengers; the dedicated connections security areas at most have front of line service, and often no priority at all):
- YUL
- YYZ T1
- YYZ T3
- YVR
What if the airport/checkpoint I'm flying from isn't listed above?
Many checkpoints offer "front of the line service" - just like the old NEXUS lanes, there's a dedicated lane to get you to the screening faster, but the screening process is the same as in the regular lanes. These are listed below. If your airport isn't listed, there's no Verified Traveller benefit.
- YYC A and D gates (domestic/international)
- YYC E gates (transborder)
- YVR A/B and D gates (domestic/international)
- YEG (transborder)
- YHZ (transborder)
- YWG (transborder)
- YXE (all)
- YTZ (all)
- YQM (all)
- YLW (all)
- YQB (all)
- YQR (all)
- YYT (all)
- YYJ (all)
Verified Traveller Program (Beginning June 2023)
May 27, 2023 | 12:45 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: YUL
Programs: AC*SE
Posts: 300
No. Global Entry holders can use Nexus lanes/equipment to enter the US, but not to enter Canada.
Regarding this new verified traveller program for CATSA, the articles I've seen don't mention GE specifically, just Nexus, so I don't know if it would be accepted. I have my doubts until I hear otherwise.
Regarding this new verified traveller program for CATSA, the articles I've seen don't mention GE specifically, just Nexus, so I don't know if it would be accepted. I have my doubts until I hear otherwise.
May 28, 2023 | 4:59 am
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 1,691
No. Global Entry holders can use Nexus lanes/equipment to enter the US, but not to enter Canada.
Regarding this new verified traveller program for CATSA, the articles I've seen don't mention GE specifically, just Nexus, so I don't know if it would be accepted. I have my doubts until I hear otherwise.
Regarding this new verified traveller program for CATSA, the articles I've seen don't mention GE specifically, just Nexus, so I don't know if it would be accepted. I have my doubts until I hear otherwise.
May 28, 2023 | 7:24 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: YUL
Programs: AC*SE
Posts: 300
The original article said: NEXUS and Global Entry members will qualify for the streamlined security stream, as will active members of the Canadian Armed Forces and U.S. military members, including reservists with valid identification. So it appears the program will extend to them.
May 29, 2023 | 9:41 am
#19
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 57,066
Some other stories add information like this: The government is working on an additional program that would allow membership without belonging to Nexus. That additional program may not help get into the US, but perhaps it will be useful for domestic and international.
The need for me to obtain status in this new federal program however is somewhat negated by airport initiatives such as YEG Express, a dedicated security screening lane for passenger who confirm an online appointment to proceed through security. It's still the normal security procedures however shorter lines since you must show a confirmation QR code to enter the marked lane. FWIW I tried YEG Express on a recent domestic trip but not being a peak time there was no advantage in using it but I could see it being much more useful at high travel times.
Jun 2, 2023 | 2:24 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 16,207
my guess is it will be implemented in the trusted traveller security lane. Which allows GE pax who have their card to show, AFAIK.
Unlike TSA pre - where airlines send pax info. To TSA, and are then cleared (or not ) and noted on BO to get trusted traveler security access, in Canada, you must have your TT card to get access to that lane. I suspect those who have and carry a GE card will have access, and GE pax who dont (as it typically isntor isnt supposed to berequired to use entering the US at US airports) will not.
Unlike TSA pre - where airlines send pax info. To TSA, and are then cleared (or not ) and noted on BO to get trusted traveler security access, in Canada, you must have your TT card to get access to that lane. I suspect those who have and carry a GE card will have access, and GE pax who dont (as it typically isntor isnt supposed to berequired to use entering the US at US airports) will not.
Jun 3, 2023 | 8:41 am
#21
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,388
my guess is it will be implemented in the trusted traveller security lane. Which allows GE pax who have their card to show, AFAIK.
Unlike TSA pre - where airlines send pax info. To TSA, and are then cleared (or not ) and noted on BO to get trusted traveler security access, in Canada, you must have your TT card to get access to that lane. I suspect those who have and carry a GE card will have access, and GE pax who dont (as it typically isntor isnt supposed to berequired to use entering the US at US airports) will not.
Unlike TSA pre - where airlines send pax info. To TSA, and are then cleared (or not ) and noted on BO to get trusted traveler security access, in Canada, you must have your TT card to get access to that lane. I suspect those who have and carry a GE card will have access, and GE pax who dont (as it typically isntor isnt supposed to berequired to use entering the US at US airports) will not.
Jun 12, 2023 | 3:26 pm
#22
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: EY
Posts: 976
There are many foreign nationals who are members of Global Entry, but the US only sends cards to US citizens/residents or Mexican nationals. Essentially anyone who would need it to cross a land border, while they skip sending a card to other foreigners presumably under the impression that they will never need it, which they wouldn't 99% of the time as the passport is linked to the GE membership. Unfortunately such foreigners--as now--would not be allowed into the Verified Traveller lane or the current Trusted Traveler lane--which has no benefits other than a separate lane (still need to remove laptops/belts, etc)--while the new Verifed Traveller lines would exempt you from that.
Jun 12, 2023 | 9:26 pm
#23
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Gold
Posts: 15,009
There are many foreign nationals who are members of Global Entry, but the US only sends cards to US citizens/residents or Mexican nationals. Essentially anyone who would need it to cross a land border, while they skip sending a card to other foreigners presumably under the impression that they will never need it, which they wouldn't 99% of the time as the passport is linked to the GE membership. Unfortunately such foreigners--as now--would not be allowed into the Verified Traveller lane or the current Trusted Traveler lane--which has no benefits other than a separate lane (still need to remove laptops/belts, etc)--while the new Verifed Traveller lines would exempt you from that.
Jun 17, 2023 | 3:45 pm
#24
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 24,797
Global Entry also "includes TSA PreCheck."
Jun 22, 2023 | 2:39 am
#26
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: EY
Posts: 976
the list of participating airports currently include only domestic flights in t1 and t3 for whatever reason. Im sure it will come eventually.
Jun 24, 2023 | 11:13 am
#27
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 348
CBC is reporting on a new Verified Traveller Program due to begin on June 21.
The Verified Traveller program will also allow children 17 and under and Canadians 75 and older to pass through streamlined security with eligible passengers if they are on the same reservation.
The Verified Traveller program will also allow children 17 and under and Canadians 75 and older to pass through streamlined security with eligible passengers if they are on the same reservation.
Co-travellers who are 17 years of age and under or 75 years of age and older can access CATSAs Verified Traveller screening lines when travelling with a verified traveller on the same flight.
There are no age restrictions to co-travellers accessing Verified Traveller lines at Transborder checkpoints (flights to the U.S.) or checkpoints offering front-of-the-line service.
There are no age restrictions to co-travellers accessing Verified Traveller lines at Transborder checkpoints (flights to the U.S.) or checkpoints offering front-of-the-line service.
this is all getting really complicated. So many different lines and confusion at Pearson between YYZ express, Amex lines, regular lines and Verified Traveller.
I think part of my issue is that they closed T1 E gates for some reason (full) and sent us over to D and to walk back to E after completing.
Jun 24, 2023 | 1:29 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 6,494
I can confirm, as of my June 23rd departure from Pearson, this means Nexus cardholders have been downgraded and can no longer bring any co-travellers with them unless they fall in that age range (unless its to US or just front of the line for some reason?).
https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/verified-travellers
this is all getting really complicated. So many different lines and confusion at Pearson between YYZ express, Amex lines, regular lines and Verified Traveller.
I think part of my issue is that they closed T1 E gates for some reason (full) and sent us over to D and to walk back to E after completing.
https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/verified-travellers
this is all getting really complicated. So many different lines and confusion at Pearson between YYZ express, Amex lines, regular lines and Verified Traveller.
I think part of my issue is that they closed T1 E gates for some reason (full) and sent us over to D and to walk back to E after completing.
Jun 24, 2023 | 3:56 pm
#29
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 348
2021 article: those accompanying these trusted travellers on the same flight
https://thepointsguy.com/news/catsa/amp/
Last edited by tecate55; Jun 24, 2023 at 4:21 pm
Jun 27, 2023 | 8:10 pm
#30
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan 50K/Star Alliance Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite
Posts: 667
Idk, Im not Nexus, and I was just waved from the regular priority lane to the Nexus lane a few months ago. Had the same streamlined experience too (laptop and toiletries kept in bag).