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)
Jun 28, 2023 | 5:25 am
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 1,691
They do that a fair bit. I'm not sure they use any other criteria than the standard checkpoint is a bit busy.
Jul 11, 2023 | 7:57 pm
#32
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 18,980
I used the Verified Traveller lane at YYC and YVR over the weekend. At YVR, security was pretty dead, so it didn't make much of a difference. At YYC, they had configured barriers such that it wasn't possible to redirect from the other lanes to the Verified Traveller lane. Given that the FOTSG and priority lanes were pretty busy, that was nice, and I hope they'll continue that. It was also nice to not have to pull out laptops, liquids, etc, too. Felt like a proper priority security experience for a change!
Jul 14, 2023 | 12:30 pm
#34
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 18,980
I've thrown together a FAQ in the wiki to try to collect the useful information in one spot. Formatting is a bit rough, but I think it's a good start on the content.
Anyone better know the layout at YYZ T3 and where the VT checkpoint is? Seems like there are two B/C domestic/international checkpoints.
It does.
Anyone better know the layout at YYZ T3 and where the VT checkpoint is? Seems like there are two B/C domestic/international checkpoints.
It does.
Jul 15, 2023 | 7:33 am
#35
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: YYZ
Posts: 180
I went through YYZ T3 domestic last week and there was a VT entrance at the B checkpoint (I think.. the one the drops you out near Fionna McCools). But it was just a "skip the line" experience and I was still screened with the other passengers (laptops and liquids out).
Jul 15, 2023 | 1:37 pm
#36
Join Date: Apr 2023
Posts: 183
I used the Verified Traveller lane at YYC and YVR over the weekend. At YVR, security was pretty dead, so it didn't make much of a difference. At YYC, they had configured barriers such that it wasn't possible to redirect from the other lanes to the Verified Traveller lane. Given that the FOTSG and priority lanes were pretty busy, that was nice, and I hope they'll continue that. It was also nice to not have to pull out laptops, liquids, etc, too. Felt like a proper priority security experience for a change!
Jul 17, 2023 | 8:01 am
#37
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE MM, DL Plat, AF plat, PD ascent, Bonvoy Life Tit
Posts: 2,884
I find it interesting that VT is meant to achieve parity with PreCheck, but only two airports have VT implemented in TB one month after VT began. YVR specifically has been "piloting" these relaxed requirements at DOM for nexus for a while now, so it seems at least some YVR CATSA have been trained on this?
Jul 17, 2023 | 10:05 am
#38
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 47,221
Went through yesterday at YYZ T3 USA. Very odd that USA departures need laptops out but other destinations do not. Had the world’s slowest x-ray screen reader that backed up the line unnecessarily and apparently never saw a bottle of disinfectant wipes before 
Jul 21, 2023 | 2:48 pm
#41
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Upstate NY or FL or inbetween
Programs: US former CP Looking for a new airline to love me
Posts: 1,694
Not my experience in the USA departures terminal at YVR. Still laptop in separate bin, shoes off, belts off, liquids and gels out for physical inspection, swab casts !!!? Nexus was just a different line, and every bit as slow and futile as regular CATSA security.
Jul 23, 2023 | 11:06 pm
#42
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 18,980
YVR TB isn't a VT checkpoint (they're listed in the wiki), so your experience is exactly as expected.
Jul 24, 2023 | 3:09 pm
#43
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Upstate NY or FL or inbetween
Programs: US former CP Looking for a new airline to love me
Posts: 1,694
You know, swabbing casts might have been "exactly as expected" for TSA. but that was 20 years ago.
CATSA has started to move to rationality, but with only 2 cross border airports having pre-US clearance capable of recognizing Nexus carriers as VT, they are so glacially slow. Which, now that you mention it, is also "exactly as expected".
Jul 25, 2023 | 12:53 pm
#44
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 18,980
You know, swabbing casts might have been "exactly as expected" for TSA. but that was 20 years ago.
CATSA has started to move to rationality, but with only 2 cross border airports having pre-US clearance capable of recognizing Nexus carriers as VT, they are so glacially slow. Which, now that you mention it, is also "exactly as expected".
CATSA has started to move to rationality, but with only 2 cross border airports having pre-US clearance capable of recognizing Nexus carriers as VT, they are so glacially slow. Which, now that you mention it, is also "exactly as expected".
Jul 26, 2023 | 6:16 pm
#45
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: YYZ
Programs: Air Canada Aeroplan
Posts: 402
Thanks to the pandemic forcing a change in my travel habits, I chose to let my NEXUS membership lapse and don't expect I'll go through the rigorous re-application process just to save a few minutes in line on rare occasions using this new program but those that kept their membership will I'm sure happily welcome it.