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Verified Traveller Program (Beginning June 2023)

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Old Jul 14, 2023, 12:27 pm
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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:
  • 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)
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Verified Traveller Program (Beginning June 2023)

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Old Aug 24, 2023 | 6:52 pm
  #76  
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Originally Posted by blue2002
Ah, you are 100% correct. I will remove my earlier post, so as not to mislead others. Cheers.
Well, your statement about the confusing roll out was valid! 🙂
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Old Sep 19, 2023 | 1:01 pm
  #77  
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I've been reading this thread and am confused. I am US-based and have Global Entry. I have an upcoming trip into YUL. Does me having GE mean I can use the the VT line at security when going to my US-bound flight at YUL?
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Old Sep 19, 2023 | 1:18 pm
  #78  
 
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I just flew domestic through YYZ Terminal 1 last week and there was no verified traveller lanes visible. Only saw the regular security lines and the "reserve your spot ahead of time" security lines. Was redirected to family lane instead since was travelling with my little one.

Can anyone confirm if verified traveller security lanes is actually a thing at YYZ, and if so, how to use it?
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Old Sep 19, 2023 | 1:44 pm
  #79  
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Originally Posted by sxpsxpsxp
I've been reading this thread and am confused. I am US-based and have Global Entry. I have an upcoming trip into YUL. Does me having GE mean I can use the the VT line at security when going to my US-bound flight at YUL?
Per published rules, yes.
https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/verified-travellers
Who is eligible to access the Verified Traveller lines?Verified travellers are passengers who have undergone extensive background checks and carry special photo identification cards.

They include:
  • members of NEXUS and Global Entry programs;
  • serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces and U.S. military, including reservists, all with valid ID (no uniform required);
  • Canadian aircrew and airport workers with Restricted Area Identification Cards (RAICs);
  • international aircrew in uniform with valid airline ID; and
  • Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers, Canadian police officers and constables with a badge and proper photo identification issued by their respective organizations.
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Old Sep 19, 2023 | 3:15 pm
  #80  
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Originally Posted by Pingumon
I just flew domestic through YYZ Terminal 1 last week and there was no verified traveller lanes visible. Only saw the regular security lines and the "reserve your spot ahead of time" security lines. Was redirected to family lane instead since was travelling with my little one.

Can anyone confirm if verified traveller security lanes is actually a thing at YYZ, and if so, how to use it?
You need to go through the back entrance, look for signs for Nexus/Global Entry leading to a hallway behind the ticket counters
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Old Sep 19, 2023 | 4:51 pm
  #81  
 
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Originally Posted by bocastephen
You need to go through the back entrance, look for signs for Nexus/Global Entry leading to a hallway behind the ticket counters
Thanks for the confirmation. Will keep in mind for next time.
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Old Sep 20, 2023 | 12:54 pm
  #82  
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Originally Posted by bocastephen
You need to go through the back entrance, look for signs for Nexus/Global Entry leading to a hallway behind the ticket counters
You sure? Pingumon was talking about domestic, not trans-border...
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Old Oct 13, 2023 | 7:37 pm
  #83  
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Officially not listed as eligible but YUL trans border line monitor was letting PreCheck in the line.
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Old Jan 2, 2024 | 8:36 pm
  #84  
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Oh happy day!

VT now in (very smooth) operation at YVR trans-border!!!
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Old Jan 5, 2024 | 10:10 am
  #85  
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Originally Posted by blue2002
You sure? Pingumon was talking about domestic, not trans-border...
The back entrance is for transborder, the Nexus lane for domestic is at the end on the right side.
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Old Jan 7, 2024 | 12:13 pm
  #86  
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Originally Posted by NY-FLA
VT now in (very smooth) operation at YVR trans-border!!!
Yep, was pleasantly surprised by shoes on, laptops not needing to be removed, etc. when I flew to IAH week before Christmas. So much faster and more efficient.
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Old Feb 11, 2024 | 6:44 am
  #87  
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YVR now has the full Trusted Traveller experience at the TB gates. I went through a couple weeks ago and it was very nice. It's still supposedly some kind of trial, and on entering the line, you had to press a stupid button that either went green for you to come in or red for you to get rejected and sent back to the regular line - regardless of your eligibility - which I found to bizarre.

Thankfully my friend and I both got green, and it was all good.

I hate the security theatre of taking my shoes off and all my stuff out of my bag, and I find the TB connections security area to be hit or miss - either no one there and I'm through right away or it's overwhelmed and takes away longer than it should - so it was definitely worth going landside for VT.

The VT lane has a separate entrance door from the regular one, down the wall to the left.
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Old Mar 15, 2024 | 8:12 am
  #88  
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I am a bit confused by my recent experience at YYZ (domestic). Even though it has all the VT signage and lanes, we did not get to experience VT privileges ...

I have a Nexus card but was accompanied by a non-Nexus minor who can accompany me to the VT security lane as he is under 18. First agent scanned my Nexus no problem and we got in, but then the person sending people to different lanes sent us to #4, which is also where non-VT travelers go. So I had to empty my pockets, etc.

Using the VT lane we got to skip the regular security line (there was none anyways), but we were sent to the regular scanners? Shouldn't they send Nexus/VT to dedicated scanners? The scanner closest to the Nexus entry point was operational at that time and there were people there ...
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Old Mar 15, 2024 | 1:54 pm
  #89  
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Originally Posted by SkyExplorerYYZ
I am a bit confused by my recent experience at YYZ (domestic). Even though it has all the VT signage and lanes, we did not get to experience VT privileges ...

I have a Nexus card but was accompanied by a non-Nexus minor who can accompany me to the VT security lane as he is under 18. First agent scanned my Nexus no problem and we got in, but then the person sending people to different lanes sent us to #4, which is also where non-VT travelers go. So I had to empty my pockets, etc.

Using the VT lane we got to skip the regular security line (there was none anyways), but we were sent to the regular scanners? Shouldn't they send Nexus/VT to dedicated scanners? The scanner closest to the Nexus entry point was operational at that time and there were people there ...
Typical CATSA incompetence, and it's widespread. I've personally witnessed ineligible people walk across the room to join the so-called VT line, because it was shorter, and screening agents standing there could see them and refused to do anything about it.

If a screener sends you to a non-VT line, just refuse and remind them you are VT eligible and will remain in the VT line.
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Old Mar 16, 2024 | 8:49 am
  #90  
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Originally Posted by bocastephen
Typical CATSA incompetence, and it's widespread.
Well, I am 0 for 2 with VT. I have it via Nexus and Im travelling with a minor whos 17 years old. Program says 17yo or younger can be a companion.

My companion was too old. Apparently 17 years old or younger means that if you 17 years old + 1 day you are too old!

FML
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