Canadian Transit Visa needed for Vancouver?

[Darnell 8,478]

Not sure of the airline he's using - he's bringing his wife (PRC citizen) back - BeiJing to Vancouver - then Vancouver to USA. I know about the special UCSIS/DHS processing station there - so Vancouver will be her POE.

12. I am not going to visit Canada, but my flight stops in Canada on the way to my final destination. Do I still need a visa?

Yes. If you are transiting through Canada to another destination within 48 hours, you will require a Temporary Resident Visa known as a Transit Visa. The application process is the same as above, but there is no application fee. For countries and territories that require a transit visa .

As part of Canada's Transit without Visa program, a China Transit Trial has been put in place. This trial will allow Chinese nationals holding valid U.S.A. visas to travel to and from the U.S.A. through the Vancouver International Airport without obtaining a Canadian transit visa. To qualify, Chinese travellers must travel to Vancouver on Cathay Pacific Airways, Philippine Airlines or China Airlines and the flights must originate from Hong Kong, Manila or Taipei.

At present, there are no pre-authorized air carriers with direct, non-stop flights to the Vancouver International Airport originating from Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou. from http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/china-chine/visas/beijing-pekin/visiting-visiter.aspx?lang=eng

I understand a transit visa is fee-exempt, but I wonder if any new air carriers are pre-authorized with flights from BeiJing to Vancouver ?

Appreciate any input !

Edited June 9, 2010 by Darnell

[Djwalker60 1]

Not sure of the airline he's using - he's bringing his wife (PRC citizen) back - BeiJing to Vancouver - then Vancouver to USA. I know about the special UCSIS/DHS processing station there - so Vancouver will be her POE.

12. I am not going to visit Canada, but my flight stops in Canada on the way to my final destination. Do I still need a visa?

Yes. If you are transiting through Canada to another destination within 48 hours, you will require a Temporary Resident Visa known as a Transit Visa. The application process is the same as above, but there is no application fee. For countries and territories that require a transit visa .

As part of Canada's Transit without Visa program, a China Transit Trial has been put in place. This trial will allow Chinese nationals holding valid U.S.A. visas to travel to and from the U.S.A. through the Vancouver International Airport without obtaining a Canadian transit visa. To qualify, Chinese travellers must travel to Vancouver on Cathay Pacific Airways, Philippine Airlines or China Airlines and the flights must originate from Hong Kong, Manila or Taipei.

At present, there are no pre-authorized air carriers with direct, non-stop flights to the Vancouver International Airport originating from Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou. from http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/china-chine/visas/beijing-pekin/visiting-visiter.aspx?lang=eng

I understand a transit visa is fee-exempt, but I wonder if any new air carriers are pre-authorized with flights from BeiJing to Vancouver ?

Appreciate any input !

Would be very interesting on how this is done. Once my wife gets the visa I have been looking for flights from Hong Kong to Seattle, but because the wife cannot transit Taipei, or Canada I am limited on Choices. Now the only way I've seen is for her to transit Japan which she can do. But no other way that I can see. I tomorrow I will call Air Canada and maybe if I can talk with someone in the Canadian Consulate who will give me more information. If I find anything of interest, I will post it.

Dan

[wangjun 0]

Not sure of the airline he's using - he's bringing his wife (PRC citizen) back - BeiJing to Vancouver - then Vancouver to USA. I know about the special UCSIS/DHS processing station there - so Vancouver will be her POE.

12. I am not going to visit Canada, but my flight stops in Canada on the way to my final destination. Do I still need a visa?

Yes. If you are transiting through Canada to another destination within 48 hours, you will require a Temporary Resident Visa known as a Transit Visa. The application process is the same as above, but there is no application fee. For countries and territories that require a transit visa .

As part of Canada's Transit without Visa program, a China Transit Trial has been put in place. This trial will allow Chinese nationals holding valid U.S.A. visas to travel to and from the U.S.A. through the Vancouver International Airport without obtaining a Canadian transit visa. To qualify, Chinese travellers must travel to Vancouver on Cathay Pacific Airways, Philippine Airlines or China Airlines and the flights must originate from Hong Kong, Manila or Taipei.

At present, there are no pre-authorized air carriers with direct, non-stop flights to the Vancouver International Airport originating from Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou. from http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/china-chine/visas/beijing-pekin/visiting-visiter.aspx?lang=eng

I understand a transit visa is fee-exempt, but I wonder if any new air carriers are pre-authorized with flights from BeiJing to Vancouver ?

Appreciate any input !

My understanding is that if you want to leave the airport you will need what ever that country requires. If you stay in the airport you are ok. This was my experience in Bangkok, Thailand

[Darnell 8,478]

wangjuin - ya, but but but...

Canada is really picky about this.

[pushbrk 12,969]

wangjuin - ya, but but but...

Canada is really picky about this.

Leaving the airport is not the same as leaving the international terminal. What I DO know is that for flights transiting Vancouver to the USA, you DO clear Canada Immigration, leave the international area then go upstairs, recheck your luggage and clear US Immigration. Without a green card, traveler will need the transit visa, as they are IN Canada, free to leave the airport and go anywhere in Canada BEFORE they effectively ENTER the USA at the same airport.

These are questions best dealt with BEFORE purchasing tickets as without that transit visa, you may not even be able to board the initial flight OR WOULD BE denied entry to CANADA. Perhaps they would be kind enough to escort you to US Customs instead but I wouldn't count on it.

[Darnell 8,478]

push - thanks for the info. From what you've written, and the nit-picking that I've done - it's clear a transit visa is required.

YUP - I'm asking on behalf of my friend, prior to making the jump.

IMO - it's dead easy to get that transit visa at a Canadian Embassy/Consulate in China - heck - they even have an online form that works - automatically files the application - and double heck - for a transit visa - the fee is waived.

Perhaps my friend is having logistics problems - I'm not sure - I'll know more as time progresses (soonish).