If your flight layover requires transferring between two different Canadian airports, such as Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Billy Bishop (YTZ), you can legally complete this transit using a free Canadian Transit Visa, provided your total stay in Canada is under 48 hours. While you must pass through border control and leave the airport’s secure zone, a Visitor Visa is not required.
The Legal Trap of Canadian Airport Transfers
Booking international flights through third-party websites can sometimes result in tricky layover itineraries. One of the most common travel scenarios occurs when a traveler books a flight that lands at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), but their connecting flight departs from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ). Many travelers mistakenly believe they must pay for a full Canadian Visitor Visa to make this transfer, unaware that a free Canadian Transit Visa is perfectly sufficient for this type of layover.
Under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rules, a Transit Visa is specifically designed for international travelers from visa-required countries who are connecting between flights at one or more Canadian airports. 🚫 While you will have to clear customs, retrieve your luggage, and leave the secure airport area to travel between YYZ and YTZ, a Transit Visa allows you to legally do this and remain in Canada for up to 48 hours. You do not need to pay for a standard Visitor Visa (TRV) simply because your connection requires an airport transfer, provided you depart within the 48-hour window. If you are unsure of your status, utilizing a visa consultant from our directory can prevent costly travel disruptions.
Step-by-Step Process for Airport Transfers in Canada
If your itinerary dictates that you must change airports within a Canadian city, you must prepare as if you are a regular tourist visiting the country. Here is how most applicants resolve this issue prior to their trip.
Step 1: Scrutinize Your Flight Itinerary
Carefully read your booking confirmation. Look for subtle airport code changes. In Toronto, transferring from YYZ to YTZ is common. In Montreal, some older itineraries might involve YUL and YMX. If you see two different airport codes for the same city on your layover, you are physically leaving the airport.
Step 2: Determine Your Document Requirements
Based on your passport’s country of issuance, check the IRCC portal to see if you are from a visa-exempt or visa-required country. Visa-exempt foreign nationals (like citizens of the UK, Australia, or France) only need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Citizens from visa-required countries (like India, China, or the Philippines) can apply for a Transit Visa, which is free of charge, as long as they are transiting for under 48 hours.
Step 3: Apply for a Transit Visa
If you are from a visa-required country, you must submit a formal application for a Transit Visa online. You will need to provide your full flight itinerary showing confirmed onward travel to a third country within 48 hours and undergo biometrics collection. While there is no fee for the transit visa itself, it allows you to pass through Canadian customs, collect your luggage, and physically travel to your connecting airport.
Step 4: Clear Canadian Customs (CBSA)
Upon landing at your first Canadian airport, you will proceed to the regular arrivals hall, present your Transit Visa, TRV, or eTA to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer, collect your checked luggage, and exit the building to catch a taxi or transit to your second airport.
How Much Does the Correct Visa Cost?
Applying for the correct immigration document is relatively straightforward. Transit Visas are free of charge, but other optional services or documents carry standard fees. Here are the actual costs in Canadian dollars (CAD):
| Immigration Document / Service | Estimated Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) | $7 (For visa-exempt nationals) |
| Transit Visa (Up to 48 hours) | $0 (Free) |
| Biometrics Fee (If required for Transit Visa) | $85 per person |
| Taxi/Shuttle (e.g., YYZ to YTZ) | $40 – $70+ (Out of pocket travel expense) |
Failing to apply for a Transit Visa before a multi-airport layover will ultimately cost you the entire price of your flight when the airline refuses to let you board.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The processing times for transit documents vary. An eTA is usually approved electronically within 5 to 10 minutes. However, if you require a Transit Visa, the processing time can range from 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the Canadian embassy in your home country. ⏱ On the day of travel, allow yourself an absolute minimum of 4 to 5 hours to clear customs at the first airport, retrieve your luggage, travel across the city, and pass through security at the second airport.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if my airline booked the transfer for me?
Even if an airline or a travel agency booked the connecting flights on a single ticket, it is solely the passenger’s legal responsibility to hold the correct immigration documents. The CBSA will not grant you entry just because a third-party website sold you the itinerary.
Is there a secure shuttle between Toronto Pearson and Billy Bishop?
No. There is no secure, sterile transit corridor linking YYZ and YTZ. The airports are located roughly 25 kilometres apart. You must step out into the public streets of Toronto, which necessitates a full legal entry into Canada.
Can I just stay at the first airport and skip the second flight?
If you miss or skip your connection at the second airport, the airline will automatically cancel the remainder of your ticket, including your return trip. Furthermore, while a Transit Visa lets you leave the airport to transfer, you are still legally required to depart Canada within 48 hours.
Does a US Green Card change my requirements?
Yes. Lawful permanent residents of the United States (Green Card holders) are exempt from requiring a Canadian TRV, regardless of their country of citizenship. However, they must apply for and hold a valid eTA before boarding a flight to Canada, even for a multi-airport layover.
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