Travel Documents

It is your responsibility to ensure that you - and any child travelling with you - have all the valid travel documents necessary to enter in, exit from or transit through, each country/region on your itinerary. Note that the documents required for the outbound portion of your travel may differ from those required for the return.

Along with the normal travel documents needed to enter Canada, additional documents may be required depending on your country of origin, even if they are used solely to land in Canada and re-board a connecting flight.

Visit the IATA Travel Centre Opens in New Window and Travel and Tourism Canada Opens in New Window for detailed information on country-specific passport, visa and health requirements, or contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of each country on your itinerary.

Please note, Air Canada applies travel document requirements contained in IATA’s Travel Information Manual, available on the IATA Travel Centre website Opens in New Window . Please note that the IATA website is only available in English.

Select from the options below to view identification requirements as they apply to specific itineraries.

Check-in Requirements:

Valid government-issued identification documents including name, date of birth and gender may be required when checking in for the flight. For examples and other important information, visit the Passenger Protect Opens in New Window website.

Boarding Gate Requirements:

In accordance with government regulations, Air Canada must check identification at the boarding gate for all passengers who appear to be 18 years of age or older. These passengers must present valid government-issued identification documents that include their full name and date of birth. For examples of accepted identification documents, visit the Public Safety Canada Opens in New Window website.

The name on the ID must match the name used on the reservation or ticket, and the passenger must resemble the photo on their ID.

At the boarding gate, each passenger must present one of the following:

• One (1) piece of valid (not expired) identification with photo issued by a government authority within Canada* showing the name and date of birth; or
• Two (2) pieces of valid (not expired) non-photo identification issued by a government authority within Canada*. The names on the two pieces of ID must match and one must also include the date of birth.
  

• A valid passport
• A valid NEXUS card
• A valid Permanent Resident Card issued by the United States
• A valid enhanced driver's license issued by the United States

Carriage will be refused to any passenger who:

• Refuses to present the appropriate valid identification document
• Refuses to show his/her entire face
• Does not resemble the photo on the travel document

For identification and security purposes, your booking must provide your full name as it appears on your travel document; as well, you may have to provide your date of birth and gender when completing your booking.

Young Travellers:

For travellers younger than 18 , an original birth certificate or non-government issued ID (e.g. a student card) is suggested but not mandatory, unless our Unaccompanied Minor Service is used.

* Fishing, hunting and boating licenses are no longer accepted as identification for domestic flights.

Check-in Requirements:

Valid government-issued identification documents including name, date of birth and gender may be required when checking in for the flight. For examples and other important information, visit the Passenger Protect Opens in New Window website.

Boarding Gate Requirements:

At the boarding gate, each passenger must present one of the following valid (not expired) pieces of identification:

• A passport
• A NEXUS card
  • Air Canada strongly encourages you to also carry a valid passport when travelling outside the country, even when travelling to or from the United States.
  • Refuses to present the appropriate valid travel document
  • Refuses to show his/her entire face
  • Does not resemble the photo on the travel document

  For identification and security purposes, your booking must provide your full name as it appears on your travel document; as well, you may have to provide your date of birth and gender when completing your booking.

  Secure Flight Program:

  • As required under the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA)'s Secure Flight Program Opens in New Window ,Secure Flight information must be provided at least 72 hours before travel, or at time of booking for reservations made within 72 hours of departure if you are travelling:
    • to, from or via the United States
    • on a flight that is flying over the continental United States (excluding flights between two points in Canada)

    Travel Documents:

    • Canadian and U.S. citizens must present either a valid passport or a valid Nexus card Opens in New Window when travelling by air between Canada and the United States.
    • Canadians holding dual citizenship must travel to Canada with a valid Canadian passport. Certificates of citizenship and other documents previously used as proof of Canadian citizenship are no longer accepted for travel by air.
    • Canadian permanent residents/landed immigrants returning to Canada from the United States must carry a valid passport and a valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card (PR Card).
    • Canadian permanent residents/landed immigrants travelling to the United States as non-immigrants must have a valid passport and either a valid non-immigrant visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorization Opens in New Window (ESTA) depending on their citizenship.
    • U.S. permanent residents/landed immigrants (including NEXUS card Opens in New Window holders) must have a valid Electronic Travel Authorization Opens in New Window (eTA) to board a flight to Canada. They must also carry a valid passport and a valid Permanent Resident/Resident Alien Card (form I-551).
    • Visa-exempt foreign citizens must have a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to board a flight to Canada. To see if the citizens of your country need an eTA or to apply for one, visit the Government of Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization Opens in New Window website.
    • Citizens from countries participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization Opens in New Window (ESTA) to board a flight to the United States.
    • Chinese citizens holding a full term 10-year B1, B2 or B1/B2 United States visa must enroll in the Electronic Visa Update System Opens in New Window (EVUS) prior to travelling to the U.S.
    • Other foreign citizens must make sure they have all the necessary travel documents in hand (e.g. valid passport, visa, residence permit).
    Travel to and from the United States via Canada

    Check-in Requirements:

    Valid government-issued identification documents including name, date of birth and gender may be required when checking in for the flight. For examples and other important information, visit the Passenger Protect Opens in New Window website.

    Boarding Gate Requirements:

    At the boarding gate, each passenger must present one of the following valid (not expired) pieces of identification:

    • A passport
    • A NEXUS card
      • Air Canada strongly encourages you to also carry a valid passport when travelling outside the country, even when travelling to or from the United States.

      Carriage will be refused to any passenger who:

      • Refuses to present the appropriate valid travel document
      • Refuses to show his/her entire face
      • Does not resemble the photo on the travel document

      For identification and security purposes, your booking must provide your full name as it appears on your travel document; as well, you may have to provide your date of birth and gender when completing your booking.

      Secure Flight Program:

      As required under the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA)'s Secure Flight Program, open a new window Secure Flight information must be provided at least 72 hours prior to travel, or at time of booking for reservations made within 72 hours of departure if you are travelling:
      

      • to, from or via the United States
      • on a flight that is flying over the continental United States (excluding flights between two points in Canada)

      Passengers transiting through Canada on their way to/from the U.S.:

      Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express are approved air carriers participating in the Canadian government's Transit Without Visa (TWOV) program, and China Transit Program (CTP). This participation allows our customers who are citizens of certain Asian countries and who are transiting through Vancouver Airport, Calgary Airport or Toronto-Pearson Airport (Terminal 1 only) to travel to or from the United States without obtaining a Canadian temporary resident visa under certain specific conditions.

      Travel Documents:

      • Canadians holding dual citizenship must travel to Canada with a Canadian passport even for transit purposes. Certificates of citizenship and other documents previously used as proof of Canadian citizenship are no longer accepted for travel by air.
      • U.S. permanent residents/landed immigrants (including NEXUS card open a new window holders) must have a valid Electronic Travel Authorization open a new window (eTA) to board a flight from Canada to the United States. They must also carry a valid passport and a valid Permanent Resident/Resident Alien Card (form I-551).
      • Visa-exempt foreign citizens must have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to board a flight to Canada on their way to the United States. To see if the citizens of your country need an eTA or to apply for one, visit the Government of Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization open a new window website.
      • Citizens from countries participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization open a new window (ESTA) prior to boarding a flight to the United States.
      • Chinese citizens holding a full term 10-year B1, B2 or B1/B2 United States visa must enroll in the Electronic Visa Update System open a new window (EVUS) prior to travelling to the United States.
      • Other foreign citizens must make sure they have all the necessary travel documents in hand (e.g. valid passport, visa, residence permit).
      U.S. Passengers travelling between Canada and Cuba

      If you are travelling between Canada and Cuba and are a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident or other person subject to U.S. jurisdiction, please be advised that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) requires that you fill out a declaration to acknowledge that you are a holder of a specific travel license for Cuba, or that your travel to Cuba is related to one of the following general license categories:

      1. Family visits
      2. Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
      3. Journalistic activity
      4. Professional research/professional meetings and conferences
      5. Educational activities/group people-to-people educational travel
      6. Religious activities
      7. Athletic competitions by amateur or semi-professional athletes or athletic teams
      8. Support for the Cuban people
      9. Humanitarian projects
      10. Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
      11. Exportation, importation or transmission of information or information materials
      12. Certain authorized export transactions

      You will be asked to complete this declaration of your purpose of travel at the airport prior to boarding your flight to Cuba.

      Before booking a trip to Cuba, U.S. travellers should consult the U.S. Department of the Treasury website for more information on Cuba sanctions.

      Please note, also, that U.S. dollars are not accepted as currency in Cuba. If you are travelling to Cuba, you are advised to bring Canadian dollars, euros or any other currency accepted by the Central Bank of Cuba, for the purchase of local goods and services. Certain major credit cards issued by non-US banks are also accepted in certain establishments and banking institutions.

      All other International Travel

      Check-in Requirements:

      Valid government-issued identification documents including name, date of birth and gender may be required when checking in for the flight. For examples and other important information, visit the Passenger Protect Opens in New Window website.

      Boarding Gate Requirements:

      At the boarding gate, each passenger must present a valid (not expired) passport.

      Carriage will be refused to any passenger who:

      • Refuses to present the appropriate valid travel document
      • Refuses to show his/her entire face
      • Does not resemble the photo on the travel document

      For identification and security purposes, your booking must provide your full name as it appears on your travel document; as well, you may have to provide your date of birth and gender when completing your booking.

      Flights over the United States:

      Please see important information about the Secure Flight Program Opens in New Window if your itinerary includes a flight that is flying over the continental United States.

      Flights over Russia:

      The government of Russia requires airlines to supply the name, date of birth, gender and passport information of all passengers travelling on flights that fly over Russian territory.

      Travel Documents:

      • Most travellers, including Canadian and U.S. citizens, must carry a valid passport to travel to a foreign country. A visa or electronic visa may also be required for some countries.
      • Canadians holding dual citizenship must travel to Canada with a Canadian passport. Certificates of citizenship and other documents previously used as proof of Canadian citizenship are no longer accepted for travel by air.
      • Canadian permanent residents/landed immigrants returning to Canada from abroad must carry a valid passport and a valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card (PR Card).
      • Students and temporary workers in Canada who are citizens of a country for which a visa is required to enter Canada must hold a valid visa to return to Canada from travel abroad (even if they hold a valid study or work permit). Citizens of a visa-exempt country require an Electronic Travel Authorization Opens in New Window (eTA) if they applied for and/or received their original study or work permit prior to August 1, 2015.
      • Visa-exempt foreign citizens must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) prior to boarding a flight to Canada. To see if the citizens of your country need an eTA or to apply for one, visit the Government of Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization Opens in New Window website.
      • Other foreign citizens must make sure they have all the necessary travel documents in hand (e.g. valid passport, visa, residence permit).