Does my husband need a transit visa for a layover in Canada?

[LisaGhaz 0]

So, my husband got his visa. His flight is this coming Tuesday.  He has a layover in Vancouver, BC.  Do they require a transit visa or since he now holds an American visa, that’s all he needs? I’ve searched online and it’s as clear as mud. They list some Asian countries that they say don’t require one, but nothing about any others . Does anyone know ? Also, will his luggage be put on the next plane to America or does he have to get it and re check it?  He has never travelled so he has no clue, and me being American, I’ve never dealt with any of this because unless a layover is more than 12 hours, I’ve never had to bother with my luggage , only on returning to America at the first point of entry if it’s not my home airport.  Thanks in advance! 

[bakphx1 789]

Others with more knowledge will chime in, but my understanding is they will endorse his visa there as there’s some reciprocal arrangement.  I’ve seen others say they panicked when Canadian immigration opened the packet, but it’s just the same as a US POE for visa purposes, then it’s done.

[Alabamak1 688]

Look here. GC holders in the US no longer are allowed to just fly away to Canada w/o a Visa, even for transit.

 

https://travel.gc.ca/?_ga=2.253435840.89993959.1538218331-1440210642.1538218331

[belinda63 3,038]

This should answer your question.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/transit/without-visa/eligibility.html

[NikLR 13,227]

He may need an eTA. 

[LisaGhaz 0]

7 hours ago, belinda63 said:

This should answer your question.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/transit/without-visa/eligibility.html

I read this before I even posted on here. It’s utterly useless. He’s from Tunisia, not an Asian country , he’s been granted his US visa to come live here but it says nothing about if he needs a transit visa or not . And everyone says different things. 

[LisaGhaz 0]

11 hours ago, bakphx1 said:

Others with more knowledge will chime in, but my understanding is they will endorse his visa there as there’s some reciprocal arrangement.  I’ve seen others say they panicked when Canadian immigration opened the packet, but it’s just the same as a US POE for visa purposes, then it’s done.

Thanks, I hope you are correct because the links people are posting are useless, I read them all before I ever posted my question! 

[Lemonslice 4,843]

If your husband is Tunisian, he will need a visa as he is not a US Permanent resident yet. 

 

This will confirm it: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/transit/without-visa/eligibility.html (Tunisian Passport is not listed)

 

Also: canada.ca/visit - "Find out if you need a visa"  - by answering the questions, it will make it clear to you.

 

If you still have questions, call CBSA  at 506-636-5064 and they will explain it to you.

[Lemonslice 4,843]

11 hours ago, bakphx1 said:

Others with more knowledge will chime in, but my understanding is they will endorse his visa there as there’s some reciprocal arrangement.  I’ve seen others say they panicked when Canadian immigration opened the packet, but it’s just the same as a US POE for visa purposes, then it’s done.

This is incorrect - Canadian immigration will not open the packet.  What will happen if someone has the proper documents to transit through Canada (visa or eTA), is that they will meet a US pre-clearance - US agents located in Canadian airports.

[pushbrk 12,894]

14 hours ago, bakphx1 said:

Others with more knowledge will chime in, but my understanding is they will endorse his visa there as there’s some reciprocal arrangement.  I’ve seen others say they panicked when Canadian immigration opened the packet, but it’s just the same as a US POE for visa purposes, then it’s done.

Not exactly.  Vancouver, and all international airports in Canada have US pre-clearance.  That means US Customs and Border Protection agents clear you into the US while still at the airport in Canada.  The POE to the USA, in this case will actually BE Vancouver, BC, CANADA.  

 

THAT says NOTHING about whether he will need a transit visa or just an Electronic Travel Authorization.  I don't know a definitive answer for that, but he WILL clear Canadian Immigration in Canada, walk through the airport, get a boarding pass and THEN present his passport visa and package to US Immigration before proceeding to his boarding gate for his flight to the USA.  THIS, I do know, because I've done it.

 

It would have been far wiser to have a definitive answer on this question BEFORE purchasing the ticket.  No?

Edited September 29, 2018 by pushbrk

[Ryan H 3,812]

***Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Canada regional forum; topic is about Canadian entry requirements.***

 

**Moderator hat off**

 

16 hours ago, LisaGhaz said:

He has a layover in Vancouver, BC.  Do they require a transit visa

 

Yes

 

Refer to this answer for confirmation:

3 hours ago, Lemonslice said:

If your husband is Tunisian, he will need a visa as he is not a US Permanent resident yet. 

 

This will confirm it: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/transit/without-visa/eligibility.html (Tunisian Passport is not listed)

 

Also: canada.ca/visit - "Find out if you need a visa"  - by answering the questions, it will make it clear to you.

 

If you still have questions, call CBSA  at 506-636-5064 and they will explain it to you.

 

[Ksenia_O 696]

Once he is a US resident, he can apply for eTA to be able to fly through Canada - online application which takes 5 minutes to submit.

 

For now, from the link you've been provided it's clear your husband will need a Transit visa, traveling through Canada.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/transit/without-visa/eligibility.html

 

About luggage.. I flu through Toronto, with eTA. Don't know if it makes a difference. But anyway, I was surprised I didn't have to get my luggage and do check-in for my flight to the US. I still had to go through both Customs, Canada and USA, but luggage went through on its own directly to my US flight.

 

Edited September 29, 2018 by Ksenia_O