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)
Jan 20, 2025 | 7:43 am
#106
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
Gotta love the VT lane. The FOTSG line was pretty much full at YYC this morning. Not sure how long the wait would have been, 10-15 minutes at least? But I walked right up to VT, threw my stuff in the bins, and was on my way.
Apr 30, 2025 | 3:54 pm
#107
Join Date: May 2024
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, Hilton Gold, British Airways Club
Posts: 29
Does anyone know if you can take the Security Point 3 at YVR and head to the D Gates? I want to avoid regular security wherever possible now. Too used to breezing through security.
Apr 30, 2025 | 4:24 pm
#108
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: AC SE, MB Titanium
Posts: 631
May 7, 2025 | 2:52 pm
#110
Join Date: May 2024
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, Hilton Gold, British Airways Club
Posts: 29
Jun 21, 2025 | 10:38 am
#112
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
Regardless, for a 23:55 flight, I don't think you'll have a problem.
Aug 4, 2025 | 10:03 pm
#114
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: AC SE, MB Titanium
Posts: 631
Aug 25, 2025 | 3:45 pm
#115
Join Date: Aug 2025
Posts: 1
Priority Security at YVR domestic in AC/J-class but no Nexus?
I've unfortunately misplaced my Nexus card. I'm traveling Vancouver->Ottawa on Air Canada in J/signature class on their daily 787 departure. Can I get priority security and where should I go?
Aug 25, 2025 | 8:55 pm
#116
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 43
Business class does get priority security. The checkpoint is the same as the domestic nexus (security 3, on the upper level where the skytrain access is). Nexus goes down one side of the bridge, prio goes down the other. Nexus cardholders have their cards checked twice (at the start of the bridge, again at the end) before you get sent to the VT screening. Prio goes to the regular screening/ItD transfer screening side of the dividing wall.
Sep 24, 2025 | 7:53 pm
#117
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,942
The checkpoint is the same as the domestic nexus (security 3, on the upper level where the skytrain access is). Nexus goes down one side of the bridge, prio goes down the other. Nexus cardholders have their cards checked twice (at the start of the bridge, again at the end) before you get sent to the VT screening. Prio goes to the regular screening/ItD transfer screening side of the dividing wall.
To get to this checkpoint, one goes towards the (old) domestic terminal, up the stairs to Skytrain but go right(?) instead of left to VT/priority security, and there's still a pathway to get from D => I?
Sep 25, 2025 | 5:56 pm
#118
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 43
Once finished with security, follow the hallway to a down escalator that puts you at the top of the escalator-ramp where you can head down to the AC Dom MLL, or do a U-turn to head to C/D 50-52, as well as the secondary check to get into the international area.
If you're looking at the PDF terminal map, everything happens in the inset. showing Floor 4.
Last edited by kenmuir; Sep 25, 2025 at 6:03 pm
Sep 27, 2025 | 7:47 am
#119
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10
Does YVR have VT lanes for terminal E (transborder) yet? I see a pilot mentioned on the CATSA website (though in the wrong section) but I haven't found any discussion of it being available here or anywhere else online.
Edit: if it's for the US transfer facility airside only, it might not be in the wrong section, actually..
Edit: if it's for the US transfer facility airside only, it might not be in the wrong section, actually..
Sep 27, 2025 | 7:22 pm
#120
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: SW Michigan, ex SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,002
Does YVR have VT lanes for terminal E (transborder) yet? I see a pilot mentioned on the CATSA website (though in the wrong section) but I haven't found any discussion of it being available here or anywhere else online.
Edit: if it's for the US transfer facility airside only, it might not be in the wrong section, actually..
Edit: if it's for the US transfer facility airside only, it might not be in the wrong section, actually..
